Don’t Use an Email That Ends in .edu
The headline says it all. I’m a little surprised it has to be said, but it’s come up a lot recently while fixing up readers’ resumes. Several people have left their .edu address on their resume. In a way, I sort of get it. When you’re 22, college has taken up almost a fifth of […]
Fake Address
Erica writes in: First, I want to thank you for all of your awesome advice– I know it’s greatly appreciated by your readers and once-blind-wanderers like myself. Secondly, I want to ask about getting work before moving down to LA. I know that in previous posts you’ve said you need to be in LA to […]
Can They NOT Hire Me?
A soldier who wishes to remain anonymous writes in: I am a soldier of the US Army Reserve. I am obligated to give one weekend per month and two weeks a year to the Army. I am also an experienced set production assistant. I’ve never had this issue before, so I thought I’d ask you. […]
How Many Languages Do YOU Speak?
I had a coordinator once who was Vietnamese. She’s been in America for a couple of decades, so she didn’t have much of an accent, but she still occasionally got colloquialisms wrong. For instance, she would say, “Do you grab my drift?”{{1}} I understood what she was saying, obviously, but it still bumps you for […]
Willing to Relocate
Sorry, you have to be here when the job opens up.
Resume Paper
Eric writes in: When I go to an interview, should I print out my resume on nice resume paper or is regular copy paper okay? In the past, I used nice resume paper because I had a lot, but now I am out. I’m wondering if I should spend the money when they usually print […]
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 […]
Aiming for a Specific Company
Krithika writes in: I am based in India. At this point, I do not have a US work permit. But I really want to work with a few specific companies in the US, Shondaland being the top of the wishlist. How should I go about this? I have no more experience than previous TAPAs when […]
Working at a Rental Place
Sorry, no Crew Call episode today. We conducted an interview, but the recording got messed up.{{1}} Instead, here’s a regular ol’ blog post. Lana writes in: I currently work at a camera rental house and am constantly in communication with production coordinators on shows around town. I recently have been talking through email with a […]
Not Personable
What do if you’re not a “people person.”
No College Degree
Jen writes in: I’ve been a PA, Set Dresser, Costume Assistant, and Location Scout on films, commercials, and photo shoots. I’m thinking of moving to LA soon. My goal is to be a writer. I thought the best way to start, is to get a job as a reader at a studio or an assistant […]
What’s the Secret to Comedy?
Melanie writes in: I’m currently in a situation where I’ll need a new job in January. I can’t start any earlier because of prior commitments. I’m primarily looking for work at one of the networks. I know that it may be difficult to find PA jobs at this time, but if I find one is […]