The Anonymous Production Assistant

Do You NEED to be Good at Networking?

Nancy has a question about networking:{{1}} Thinking of switching from medical office work to office work in the film industry. From what I’ve been reading online (mostly from this site – you’ve been quite a valuable resource), it sounds like you only get jobs if the right people remember your name when jobs come up. […]

Reading Material

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

I’ve been gearing up for the next TAPA Networking Event (Saturday, March 31st, mark your calendar!). We’ve got some guests lined up, including an Academy Award-nominated animation director. Names and location will be announced as soon as everything is finalized. In the meantime, I thought I’d share some stuff from around the internet that I’m […]

Reconnecting Just to Ask for a Job

Fred writes in about reconnecting with an old boss: So, a field producer I worked for a couple years ago (I was a PA) recently started working on a show that I like. I haven’t actually spoken to him in maybe a year or so, but I want to ask him if he could pass […]

A PA’s Guide to Film Festivals

Will writes in about attending film festivals: Are film festivals useful in terms of networking for film crew/PAs? Or are they mainly for aspiring directors and writers? What are film festivals for? Film festivals are for anyone who likes to watch movies. Seriously, buy a weekend pass to virtually any fest, and you’ll get to […]

Yes, You Loved That Movie

My old writing professor (yes, the one who wouldn’t shut up about his Oscar) told my class a story– I was at a dinner party. I knew some people, didn’t know others. You know how it is. No, we didn’t know how it is, because we were fucking 19 and had never been to a […]

Why Won’t He Call Me Back?

Ellis writes in: Newly minted PA here and I need some help with networking. Several crew members have given me their numbers and encouraged me to reach out and stay in touch. Here is the problem: Some respond and others don’t. For those that don’t respond, do I continue to reach out and stay in […]

I Fucked Up

Originally, this post was going to be titled “Lessons Learned,” but that was going too easy on myself. I fucked up, and I apologize. That’s hard to admit when you’re the supposed “expert” that people write to for advice. But instead of ignoring the issue or making excuses, I’m going to try and make this […]

March Mixer

It’s that time, again– time for another TAPArty! Bring your friends, and make some new ones, at Seventy7 Lounge in Culver City. It’s pretty much across the street from Culver Studios and spitting distance from Sony, so that’s handy for some of you.{{1}} We’re meeting up Sunday, March 13th, starting at 5:00pm. (That’s when the […]

The TAPArty Is Back!

And better than ever! Sorry it’s been a wee while. I’ve been on a shoot out of state, with no real way to make arrangements. But now I’m back, and it’s on. Mark your calendars: Sunday, March 8, at 2:00pm, TAPA and her readers are descending on Story Tavern in Burbank. Because we got into […]

Final Meet Up of the Year

It’s almost time for winter hiatus! Which means I’ll get to go back home and remember what real cold is like. Before I go, let’s have one more PA get together. This time, we’ll meet at Q’s Billiard Club in West L.A. to shoot some pool. Festivities begin at 2:00pm on December 14th. 11835 Wilshire […]

October Mixer – Film Industry LA & TAPA, Together at Last!

The next meet-up is happening on October 26th. This time, it won’t be just PAs. We’re partnering with Film Industry LA to invite people from all fields of the entertainment industry. We’ll be gathering at Barney’s Beanery in Burbank (say that three times fast). We’re starting a little later than usual, 4:30pm, because apparently there […]