Do Foreigners Have To Start Over?
Raúl writes in: I’m an immigrant with a background in film production (TV Commercials). I worked in the films department of a leading advertizing agency for five years before going on to become a producer for a TV Commercial production company. So here I am in Los Angeles, looking for jobs. My question to you […]
What’s a Green Bed?
An outdated term you may still run into now and again.
What A New PA Needs
Film school is done and the new TV season is upon us, so a lot of recent graduates are writing me emails about what they need to have on set or in the office. Truth is, there’s not a lot that PAs need which the production doesn’t just provide. Especially if you’re an office PA, […]
What Is Multicam?
Last week, I answered a question about film school that contained within it a big error– Is there much overlap in the skills and techniques used in multiple camera television productions and those used in single camera television productions? I am wondering if the skills taught in these classes, as well as experience working on […]
What Classes Should I Take?
Natasha writes in: I’ve been enjoying your blog and I wondered if I could ask you for some advice. I am an aspiring writer living in LA, ideally hoping to write for hour long television dramas. I am currently considering taking classes in television production. I figured it would be a good idea to learn […]
You’ll Never Get It Right
A long Twitter exchange last week reminded me of a great, probably apocryphal story{{1}}– A famous director was being driven home from Paramount after a long day’s shooting. As they inched along Melrose, the director pointed at a burger joint on the corner and said, “I hate that place.” The driver asked why. The director […]
Changing Careers
Peter writes in: After three years in law enforcement, I’ve decided on a career change. With the long-term goal of going into talent representation, what type of positions should I be applying for? The standard assistant/receptionist positions? Or, should I be seeking out some type of internship? I’ve cold called a handful of agencies, is […]
Living at Home
Alexandra writes: I am a graduating senior in college, and I have plans to move with another student to LA after graduation. I wouldn’t be relocating far (my family is in north Orange County). My mom has been very supportive, but she worries. She advises me to stay home for a year and save money, […]
Outliers
Pam commented on yesterday’s post: Eli Roth was a production assistant who made connections and found success as a writer/director/producer. Bill Hader was a production assistant who went on to be a regular on SNL. The list goes on… it all seems so easy. First of all, let’s not use Eli Roth as an example […]
Don’t Call People “Cunt”
You’d think that would go unsaid, but apparently not. Xaviar wrote me on Facebook: Enjoying your site I,m a comedy writer, stand up artist, & have a business which I label as a “Comedy Resource Specialist providing all comedy services. I still have a lot of goals to achieve but I’m at this crossroad where […]
Where Should I Spend My Money?
Carlos writes in: I have been working at an office for a little over a year now. In that time, I have managed to save approximately $5,000. I have since quit my boring office-job and am planning to make the move to L.A. to become a production assistant. If I were to move now, I […]
Don’t Move!
I have a hard time getting into the Emmys. Unlike, say, the Oscars, there are way too many nominees for me to have seen everything worth seeing, and to therefore have an informed opinion on who should or shouldn’t win. I mean, I loved Peter Dinklage’s speech in the courtroom in Game of Thrones, and […]