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 […]
Fake Address
Erica writes in: First, I want to thank you for all of your awesome advice– I know it’s greatly appreciated by your readers and once-blind-wanderers like myself. Secondly, I want to ask about getting work before moving down to LA. I know that in previous posts you’ve said you need to be in LA to […]
Managing Your Time
Ashley writes in: I’ll be moving to LA in the next few months to chase my dream of becoming a screenwriter. I’m also interested in production, though, and have thought about working on set starting as a PA. I’ve read that as a PA there’s usually little to no time outside of work, and I […]
Can They NOT Hire Me?
A soldier who wishes to remain anonymous writes in: I am a soldier of the US Army Reserve. I am obligated to give one weekend per month and two weeks a year to the Army. I am also an experienced set production assistant. I’ve never had this issue before, so I thought I’d ask you. […]
Set Life Versus Office Life
Brianna writes in: My life goal is AD. I was just told by a PA as green as I am that I should take a job as an office PA because I didn’t go to film school and the office is a great classroom and that everyone should do it once. I know that being […]
Aiming for a Specific Company
Krithika writes in: I am based in India. At this point, I do not have a US work permit. But I really want to work with a few specific companies in the US, Shondaland being the top of the wishlist. How should I go about this? I have no more experience than previous TAPAs when […]
What’s the Secret to Comedy?
Melanie writes in: I’m currently in a situation where I’ll need a new job in January. I can’t start any earlier because of prior commitments. I’m primarily looking for work at one of the networks. I know that it may be difficult to find PA jobs at this time, but if I find one is […]
Start Campaigning Now
People often say that the first thing a politician does after winning an election is running for re-election. As a PA, or any freelance crew, you should be thinking the same way. You never know how long a show will last. It could get cancelled in the middle of the season, or even in the […]
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, […]
A Jogger’s Query
Can you just walk (jog) up to a film set and ask for a job?