What If Your Boss Is a Screw Up?
How to manage your manager.
Funny Videos
Ashley sent me this video on my Facebook page: This commercial raises so many questions. Why is she finding props and wardrobe? Those are decisions for two different department. And where are teamsters to pick up all this stuff? It’s like the entire show’s budget went into that one crane and Maxi Brute, and they […]
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Kevin writes: Hi TAPA! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but it has recently taken on more importance in my life. I live right outside NYC and am trying to get jobs as a PA on some film or TV sets. While at college, I was focusing on Production Design and art […]
It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know… And Also What You Know
You’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” The second part is true; the first part isn’t. Occasionally, yes, some no-talent, lazy, good-for-nothing jerk gets a job because of who they know. It doesn’t really happen all that often, though. The truth is, INWYKIWYK is more often a bitter […]
How Much is Too Much on a Resume?
Dylan writes in with two questions: I’ve read how you recommend listing out EVERY paying non-student film job you’ve ever worked on to start the ball rolling on the resume. But how many items realistically should make it? I see you recommend 1 page, so what is that, 15 jobs? 30? Secondly, my highest credit […]
A Very Uncomfortable Position
Jo writes in: I started working as a PA for a TV show about 2 weeks ago. My issue is that one of the Key PAs is getting promoted and the UPM told me that I would be replacing her. I’m confident enough that I will be able to work as at Key PA, but […]
I’m a Talent Assistant. Now, What?
An anonymous reader writes in: I am a personal assistant to a well known actress, and she’s bringing me onto a big-ish shoot with her for the first time in a few weeks. Before working for this actress, I worked in production for about 5 years, but I never paid any attention to the talent […]
Do As I Do, Not As I Say
An AD by the name of Jason Roberts recently commented on a post from a couple months ago: I would like to think that you didn’t actually call background artists “untalented actors”. Maybe I am misreading your sense of humor. Just in case it wasn’t in jest, I would like to point out how very […]
Many Kinds of PAs
First of all, what the hell, Warner Brothers? I feel like I can get onto the Universal lot with a smile and a jaunty doff of my cap. Anyway, moving on to the actual topic at hand. I received this tweet last week: @TheAnonymousPA Hi there, any chance you could do a blog about Post […]
What the Hell is a Drive-On?
John asks: Thanks for the resume tips! I sent it out, and the production coordinator for [show] called me the NEXT DAY!!!{{1}} {{2}} She told me they filmed at [studio lot], and then said, “I’ll call you a drive on.” What does that mean? All I can think is that it’s a slang term for […]
Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others – Comic
Continuing from the last comic…
I Didn’t Do That
Long ago, I wrote the best answer to any failure on your part is, “It won’t happen again.” More recently, I explained why “I didn’t know” is a problematic answer. But do you know what the worst answer is? “I didn’t do that.” If you really, truly did not do whatever went wrong, you have […]