10 Responses to Lies I Get Told on Set
A New Orleans-based coordinator responded to Thursday’s post, and I felt it was worth calling everyone’s attention to: 10. I mostly rent PAs cars. When I ask for a personal vehicle to be used, you either get mileage or gas paid for. If a flat happens on the job, I work with accounting to get […]
2nd AD Anthony Robinson
Today’s guest is a 2nd AD who got into the DGA the hard way– by earning his days as a set PA. It is not easy. Anthony Robinson tells us about everything from buying lunch to directing background actors, all while maintaining a positive attitude. Here’s a little secret that even Anthony doesn’t know– I’ve […]
10 Lies I get Told as a Production Assistant
I’ll admit, other than a few shows that went on location in Vegas, I’ve never shot outside of Los Angeles. I have never worked in places like New Orleans or Detroit, where tax incentives draw film production. I work in Hollywood, literally and metaphorically. But today, a guest blogger wrote in to talk about PAing […]
When Do I Get a Call Sheet?
Elle writes in: I’m doing my non-paid, freelance internship as an Art Dept. PA. This one is a web-based, Emmy-nominated series. I’m asking the 2nd AD for a call sheet (or any information at all, like ‘Hey, yes, we need you tomorrow’) at 8 pm and getting the emailed call sheet at 2 a.m. with, […]
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 […]
Am I Too Small?
Indy (a college student) writes in: I’m currently in college, and I’m interested in working behind the scenes for film and television. I would love to someday become a cinematographer, but one question that I’ve always wondered is if I’m too small to hold and operate a camera for long periods of time. I’m very […]
Shit Happens
I just saw this post on Reddit: Christopher Nolan breaks the 180 degree rule in The Dark Knight Can anyone explain why he did it, and also why it works? I’m new to film making, and I’ve been told that this rule is a rule that you shouldn’t break. But after seeing that Christopher Nolan […]
Hey, You! With the Face!
I’m not sure about you guys but one of the biggest problems for me on a set is remembering everyone’s name. Seriously, though. Especially when you are working a short commercial gig for one or two days? UGH. Every single time a gig starts and you have to ask someone for the 50th time what […]
Taking Advantage
So there you are, working your ass off as a PA, running around and doing ridiculous tasks that you will never be able to properly explain to your parents. You love what you do as much as you hate it and you know this is the bottom rung of the Industry ladder. But have you […]
Will I Be a PA Forever?
This week, I begin my third season as a production assistant for a TV show that’s not-quite a hit. Which is why the show is going to end and I’ll be right back where I was three years ago. And it’s really, really frustrating. Stop. I know what you’re going to say – “Gee, shouldn’t […]
Should I Stay in Los Angeles?
Ken writes: I just graduated from film school and moved to LA like various people advised me to do. Now, I’m here and looking for nearly any PA job I can find (yay having little to no experience…) and what I keep hearing is how people don’t really film features in LA much anymore. I […]
Asking Too Many Questions
Tara writes in: I just graduated from college and got my first job as a Production Assistant for a talk show. I’ve done some freelance PAing and the biggest problem I seem to have is that I can’t find the balance between making sure I get everything right and asking too many questions. I understand […]