Start Campaigning Now
People often say that the first thing a politician does after winning an election is running for re-election. As a PA, or any freelance crew, you should be thinking the same way. You never know how long a show will last. It could get cancelled in the middle of the season, or even in the […]
Scheduling Conflicts
Michael writes in: I freelance camera op at two digital production companies that each have plenty of work but also have plenty of freelancers at their disposal. Each week it’s hard to coordinate my schedules between the two, as they can ask me to come in a day before and, at many times, their schedules […]
A Jogger’s Query
Can you just walk (jog) up to a film set and ask for a job?
Commercials on Your Resume
Commercials are so different from features and TV. Can you include them on your resume?
Trick Question
It’s less common than “What’s your biggest weakness?” but I’ve had several interviewers ask this– “What’s the worst experience you’ve had on a show?” This is one of those times when honesty is not the best policy. You see, what they’re really asking is, “Are you a complainer? Do you get along with people? Do […]
Visual Effects Data Integration Lead Viki Chan
Today’s guest has a job you’ve probably never heard of– Viki Chan is a Data Integration Lead in the visual effects department. She’s worked on such big film as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Ender’s Game.{{1}} Viki is not a US citizen, and she tells us a little bit about getting sponsored for […]
Show Title or Job Title?
Today’s a good day to buy a t-shirt, don’t you think? * * * Mitch writes in: My current predicament is probably a caviar problem. I got hired to PA on a network talk show earlier this year, which was great, I really enjoyed it. Then we went on hiatus for the, and I began […]
Let Me Get Back to You II
It’s the last week to buy your TAPA T-shirt! Wear it to the next TAPArty. * * * Last week, I wrote a post titled Let Me Get Back to You. Reader Sam (an assistant production supervisor, so you should listen to him){{1}} wrote in– From the title, I thought this article was going to […]
Is It Too Late to Start?
John writes in with a few questions: Should I find out who the production coordinator is before I start sending out cover letters? I graduated film school but have no paying job experience or internships. I’m twenty-four, am I too old to start taking Craigslist listings and no-pay jobs to just get contacts? Where to […]
What If This ISN’T What I Want to Do With My Life?
Laura responded to yesterday’s post: I don’t want to be the one comment here that sh*ts on your point,{{1}} but I have been in this reader’s position for at least 4 years now and have come across some additional problems after taking a step back and making a decision. My choice was that I’d be […]
Out of State PA
Morgan writes in: I currently live in the Austin area and for the last few years we’ve had a nice share of TV shows filmed in the area (The Lying Game, Friday Night Lights, From Dusk Til Dawn, etc). I was told by an extra that a lot of studios are becoming reluctant to film […]
Two Resumes
Scott writes in: The NBC Universal Careers twitter tweeted this link about the automated systems that scan resumes for keywords. I’ve applied to a lot of jobs through these horrible portals such as Brassring and I’ve never gotten a call back. This infographic is interesting, but whenever I see these types of tips I always […]