How To Make an Appointment When You Don’t Know Your Schedule
wonderingeyeoftheeverydaytraveler commented on Friday’s post: Unless you’ve all found weekend hours ( do you even get weekends in the biz?) for this kind of thing, what about sick time for important stuff like doctor/dentist appointments? On most shows, you won’t know what your schedule is next week, much less next month or six months from […]
Calling in Sick
Joey writes in: A few days ago, I was referred to day play on a TV series by someone I had PA’d for once before, which I was really excited about. That morning, I woke up with the worse flu I’ve ever head. We’re talking vomiting, sweating, all the gross stuff. I know this is […]
Production Assistants Doing Union Work
Last week to support Crew Call! Contribute today. A reader, who I’ll call Ivan, wrote in about a tricky situation. I’m going to modify some of the details, to keep Ivan’s identity a secret, but the gist is the same– I’ve been hired as a set dec{{1}} PA on a big feature. I have been […]
You Control the Information
Brianna writes in: I’ve been hesitant to take anything reality-based work that I am offered. An acquaintance (who is now an AD after earning his PA days) told me that no one will hire a PA on a scripted show if they only have reality on their resume because they’re two different worlds. My entire […]
Don’t Be a Flake
One of the most important qualities in a PA is reliability. Your boss, whether an AD or production coordinator or whatever, wants to know that when she gives you a task, you will get it done. Your job is, naturally, to do it, as efficiently and effectively as possible. Which seems simple, but shit happens, […]
The Match Game
This is another one of those things I keep seeing when I help people with their resume and cover letter: the name on your resume needs to match the name on your email address. This is especially true of Gmail accounts, since it’s probably the most common email out there, both for individuals and for […]
Errors and Omissions
There were quite a few good comments this week; in case you missed them, I thought I’d point them out. Regarding internships and college credit, WireMonkey said: I found this strange but I interviewed at a few significant companies for internship positions. I always casually dropped that I could earn college credit for the reasons […]
I Have Experience… Should I Still Go to PA Bootcamp?
Lonnie writes in: I have two questions: First, what kind of help are you requesting for your new video? I’d like to be involved. That’s easy. Since there have already been several TAPAs, I got the idea that we could all be TAPA. So, I’m asking a bunch of readers/listeners to record themselves giving the […]
Suing for Unpaid Overtime
Steve writes in: I am an executive assistant working for a production company. I am paid hourly, fixed at 44 hours/week, whether I work 40, 44, or 70 hours. Basically, I am trapped in the office until my boss leaves at night. Through my employment, I have been shorted about $10k in overtime, lunches, and […]
What Kind of PA Was I?
Jo asks: Does one usually specify the department they PA’ed in? For example, I just PA’ed on a TV show pilot, but it was in the costume department. Do I need to specify that in my resume? Or just list it as PA? The great thing about sending your resume electronically is, you can change […]
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, […]
Dogs at Work
I love my dog. She’s great. She’s adorable and fun and a very good listener.{{1}} We spend hours at the dog park every weekend, then she curls up in my lap and we watch Transparent together. She even sleeps in my bed, and if she doesn’t approve of a date I bring home, he’s gone. […]