From Agent’s Assistant to Series Creator – an Interview with Merigan Mulhern
You’ve heard the story: start out as an intern, become an agent’s assistant, then a PA, a writer’s assistant, staff writer, and eventually create your own show.
Well, today’s guest LIVED that.
The Job Everyone Wants
The hardest job to get on any TV series is probably not what you think.
Keep Your Eye on Your Long Term Goal
Marty Lang contacted me on Twitter, presumably in refernce to the joblist, or my own jobs page: @TheAnonymousPA there really is no way to get an inside track on a writer’s assistant position, is there? I scour sites all over the place, and the closest I ever came to finding one was the showrunners assistant […]
Probably Don’t Quit a Show
Last week’s post, Never Quit a Show, seems to have caused some confusion, judging by the comments on Twitter, Facebook, and the post itself. “Never” is hyperbole. If you’re being harassed, if you’re not being paid what you’re owed, if you’re working in unsafe conditions, then yes, quit. I thought these were pretty obvious caveats, […]
What Is a Hollywood Assistant?
I frequently get emails from new readers who are confused about what an assistant in Hollywood actually is.There are a lot of jobs in Hollywood with the word “assistant” in the title, which can be very misleading to someone new to the Industry. These seem like entry-level positions, but many of them are not; in […]
An Unusual Route to Becoming a Writers’ Assistant
Reader Andrew writes in: There’s a small independent film company looking to break into TV. I know the producer, and she’s offered me a writer’s assistant position while they develop a pilot. So it’s really more of a development assistant position, but she calls it “writer’s assistant.” This makes me very nervous. On one hand, […]
Script Coordinator & Writers’ PA Eddie Quintana
Today’s guest is in a position that I know a lot of my readers want to hear about: script coordinator and writers’ PA. Eddie Quintana tells us about his journey from office PA on films to script coordinator on TV series. Along the way, Eddie touches on such topics as stocking the fridge, finishing The […]
The Best Advice For Becoming a Writers’ Assistant
Earlier this week, script coordinator Kate Powers shared some advice with fellow SCs on a private board. With her permission, I’m re-posting it here for all of you to read: If there’s a job you’re interested in, approach someone who does that job and see if they’ll talk to you about their path, what their […]
Students Can’t be Choosers
Emily writes in: I noticed that you said certain PA jobs can only be found through a certain networking group within the industry. I am still a student, and looking into getting an internship in the area of television development/ Writer’s office. I have seen certain postings in the common areas such as entertainmentcareers and […]
Knowing People in High Places
Jack writes writes in: I’m planning a move to LA in February next year to become a TV writer. I have a friend in development at a major network and another contact that executively produces a cable series. I’ve already met with them, they know I’m moving, and have offered to help and read anything […]
Applying to be a Writer’s PA
J asks: I called up some shows a couple weeks back and asked if they were hiring, and of course they were all staffed up, but said I could fax a resume that they’d “keep on file”. Now I know you’ve written that if you want to be an Office PA you should contact the […]
Postings for Writers’ Assistants
Kathleen writes: I am about to graduate in this lovely economic recession with hopes of landing a job in an already competitive industry. I have literally done everything. I even tried finding old UTA joblists and emailing actually people on it trying to sell myself. The one type of job that is virtually impossible to […]