Are Webseries Experience?
Alex writes in: Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a set PA on a SAG webseries. It was a great crew, I am unsure about how this rates as credible experience. What are your thoughts about PA experience on webseries? All experience is experience. Put it on your resume. Here’s the thing that’s hard […]
Casting Is Harder Than You Think
Reader Sean writes in: I was wondering if you could shed some light on casting directors, and why they’re ATL. Seems like a pretty easy job to me. “Oh, YOU’RE the one that thought Tom Hanks would be great in that role! What a genius!” Psssh! If by “ATL,” you mean “Above the Line,” they’re not. “Above […]
Let’s Get Back Together
It’s time for TAPA Meet Up 2: TAPA Harder.{{1}} Since everybody drove up to the Valley last time, I thought we ought to move it over the hill this time, to downtown. The Figueroa Hotel has been around since the silent era of film, and still looks it: Like last time, we’ll meet on Sunday, […]
This Is What Your Producer Thinks of You – A Guest Post
An anonymous producer wrote me an email to, as she put it, “vent.” But I think the perspective offered is extremely valuable, and offers a much-needed wake up call for many production assistants. I started out as a PA myself – both office and set. It took me about 2 years to move up. The […]
Walkie PA
Without a doubt, one of the most obnoxious jobs on any set is the “walkie PA.” It’s not like handling the walkies is your entire job; in fact, that’s part of the problem. Checking walkies in and out, getting them repaired, trading out headsets– these things take up a significant amount of your day, yet […]
Advice from Other People
Giovanni writes in: I’m eyeing a few productions that will shoot in Louisiana this summer. For an on location shoot, when does the hiring process usually start? Is it constantly ongoing? I assume it happens during pre-production but how far in advance I have no clue- weeks, months? I have already sent in my resume […]
Set PA Kit
Unlike most of the crew, office production assistants don’t really need a kit. Occasionally, they have to bring their personal computer for work, but that’s about it. The production pays for everything else an office PA might need. One of the responsibilities that usually falls on office PAs is ordering office supplies. One of the […]
Turn Around, Bright Eyes
One of the most important factors in your day is the [glossary]turn around[/glossary]. No, not that turn around.{{1}} Jeez. “Turn around” is the time you have between wrap one day and call time the next. The minimum required turn around varies from 12 hours for actors to 8 hours for teamsters.{{2}} If you require someone […]
How to Fill Out Your Start Work
At the beginning of every show, everyone must fill out [glossary]start work[/glossary],{{1}} yet a distressing number of people don’t know how to do it. I once had this conversation with a makeup artist who had more years in this industry than I had on this Earth: [scrippet]INT. PRODUCTION OFFICE – DAY A woman with a […]
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 […]
Say No
I really didn’t know how to write this post. I still don’t. I don’t know if there’s anything I can contribute to the memorials and reflections that have already been written. I don’t know what I can say that can help. I don’t know that anyone can say anything that will help. For those of […]
Company Move
Reader Andrew writes in: There’s a line on the latest [glossary]one-liner[/glossary] that says “company move.” Why would this be in the schedule? Wouldn’t moving the production offices take all day? Why is it happening in the middle of a shoot day? Ah, the company move. Not quite as terrible as “EXT. NIGHT,” but in its […]