The Anonymous Production Assistant

Want to be a Prepared Office PA?

Lion King Be Prepared

First of all, let me just say I’m super annoyed that Disney is dropping “Be Prepared” from the Lion King remake. Anyway, on to the reader question: What kind of gear would an Office PA need? And what kind of gear would a Set PA need? I have been told once that an Office PA […]

How Fast Do You Type?

As an office PA, you’re going to do a lot of typing. Like, a lot. Emails, lunch reports, wrap reports, production reports, call sheets. (Those last two aren’t technically your responsibility, but trust me, you’re going to have to modify them, anyway.) Typing fast gives you an advantage, as long as it’s accurate. Double check […]

Open Crew Calls

Steph writes in: I was wondering if it was a bad idea to submit an Office PA resume/cover letter to an open crew call that says all positions welcome to apply. Or are they only wanting Set PA, Art PA inquiries? Keep up the amazing blog! Truth be told, when you see an open call […]

Distro List

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

When you work in the production office, one of your major jobs is distributing paperwork, commonly referred to as “distro.” You’ve got scripts, pages, schedules, one-liners, prep calendars, crew lists, vendor lists, call sheets, and a bazillion other things that vary from show to show. The thing is, not every crew member gets every single […]

First Day in the Production Office

Photo by Roman Bozhko on Unsplash

Jerrica wrote in: I start an office PA position on a network show in a week and I was wondering If you had any advice for the first day/week. OR maybe a list of things to bring with you or make sure you have handy. I sort of want to be prepared since this a […]

How Long Is Your Day?

Julie writes in: Do office PAs also work 12 hour days? I was under the impression this was only for set PAs, but have heard otherwise recently, so I’d love some clarification. You have been sadly misinformed. Office PAs certainly do work 12 hours. The late shift PA can work far longer, if the shoot […]

Set Life Versus Office Life

Brianna writes in: My life goal is AD. I was just told by a PA as green as I am that I should take a job as an office PA because I didn’t go to film school and the office is a great classroom and that everyone should do it once. I know that being […]

Should I Start as an Office PA or a Set PA?

Raisa writes in: I just started interning on an independent film and the producer has asked me whether I want to be on set or in the office. This is my first time working in the industry so I don’t know anything about anything.  I think I eventually want to be a producer or an […]

What’s a Base Camp PA?

Justin writes in: Recently I was on a passion project as a PA with a very knowledgable 2nd AD. I told him I was interested in being an office PA, and he showed me paperwork that office PAs have to work with, like something called an “[glossary]exhibit G[/glossary]” and getting out times and such. He […]

Can I Be an Office And a Set PA?

Janice writes in: I just landed an office PA job for a pilot that has a good chance of going to series. But all of the jobs I’ve had so far have been on set. I’m nervous; I don’t want to be stuck in the relatively small office and never see set, or be just […]

If It’s Not Where It Should Be, Then It’s Where It Shouldn’t Be

Things get lost. Like, all the time. Especially when you’re on the move. Often times, we office PAs are sent to a previous location (or stage, if the crew is on location) to find lost items– a portable hard drive full of important files, someone’s glasses or cell phone, an important but small piece of […]

Many Kinds of PAs

First of all, what the hell, Warner Brothers? I feel like I can get onto the Universal lot with a smile and a jaunty doff of my cap. Anyway, moving on to the actual topic at hand. I received this tweet last week: @TheAnonymousPA Hi there, any chance you could do a blog about Post […]