Guide to Production Assistant Responsibilities and Duties
Production assistants are the life blood of production. But what do they supposed to do all day, exactly? Are they really fetching coffee? Yes, sometimes, but there’s so much more! Production assistant responsibilities can change whether you’re working on a union or non-union set. In addition to those duties, set PAs are also assigned certain roles. I’ll dive into ALL of that. Production Assistant Responsibilities on Union Sets For union shows, the “set production assistant” falls under the department of Assistant Directors. Your main task is to assist your bosses, and yes, that is the assistant directors (there are office production assistants as well– that’s a separate post). Some PAs will be assigned different roles, which I’ll cover in a bit. There are some general duties that all PAs are responsible for. Lockups This is the main duty of all production assistants. It may be the most boring task, but it is also one of the most important. Imagine you’re watching one of the dozen reboots of Spiderman or King Kong and some lady pushing a stroller in the background stops. She stares at the lens in confusion, pulls out her iPhone, and takes a picture. It completely takes you out of the movie, right? A “lockup” keeps those curious people from wandering into the shot. If you have a camera and you’re shooting anywhere not on a sound stage, the public will want to know what’s going on. (True story: Someone asked me the name of the movie we were filming. I told him. He replied, “Oh, I haven’t seen that one yet.”) Production assistants will be posted up outside of frame, or just outside the studio door, to prevent anyone not in the scene from walking into the shot. This includes random looky-loos or even members of the crew. Lunch Duty: Fire Watch On union shoots it’s often the production assistant’s responsibility to make sure all of the crew has departed set to head to lunch — whether via transpo van or on foot. One production assistant, usually a locations production assistant (but sometimes a regular set PA), will hang back on set to “fire watch” — make sure the gear doesn’t walk away or catch fire. Lunch Duty: Counting the Line Another production assistant will leapfrog to the catering tent for the purpose of “counting the line”, which means that PA is responsible for two tasks: 1) Counting the number of people that go through the catering line, and (2) set the parameters for the official half-hour. Counting the line ensures production has been budgeting for the right number of people per day, and also to check the caterer’s count. The...
How to Not Get a Job on a Film Set
We’ve covered how to get a job as a production assistant, whether you need a film degree to work in the film industry, how much money you’ll make as a production assistant, how to be a great runner PA, and perhaps most importantly, whether or not freelance film production is even right for you. What we haven’t covered? How to blow your opportunity, or how to not get hired on a film set. Refuse to Work for Free Yes, if you play your cards right, you can get away with barely having to PA. But if you skip the step of being a production assistant, you’d better be offering yourself as an intern working for free for the department of your choice. (In fact, I recommend this approach if you already know you what department you want to work in.) I’m not talking about months of unpaid labor here unless it’s a school internship where you’re being compensated with school credit. Offer to work for free on 1-2 projects (2-3 days, or maybe longer if it’s an indie movie) to establish yourself and build contacts. Note: Volunteering your time has always been the fastest way to break in, but in the last five years, companies are shying away from this due to lawsuits. Technically, they’re supposed to pay you or give school credit. To get around this, it may be easier to seek out indie movies or passion projects versus production companies. Refuse to Work for Cheap (in the beginning) Similarly, don’t expect to get out of film school and make $400 per day. You need all of the experience you can get. In the beginning, you won’t get very far turning down jobs because they “don’t pay enough”. It takes time to build a reputation that’s worth $400/day. Read this post for an expectation of how much you could make your first year in the industry as a production assistant. Act Like a Groupie/Fangirl/Fanboy If you’re looking to get a job on a show because you’re in love with the actor or musician, then you’d better keep that to yourself. We’re not paid to be fans in this business, and just because you have access doesn’t mean the celebrity needs another friend. (Showing appreciation for a show your coworker/boss worked on is different.) Talk Too Much Some people will talk too much when they’re nervous about making a good first impression. This is a HUGE no-no in film/television, where your personality is just a big a factor as competency. If you annoy someone in an interview or casual lunch meeting, there’s a very small chance they’re going to hire you to work with them for 12+ hours on...
Alert: Fake Mario Kassar Hiring Scam
There’s been a film industry hiring scam going around for about two years. Evidently, the scammers are tweaking their craft as they’re being exposed. The crux of the scam: The impersonation of a legitimate production company, but with a slightly different domain for their e-mail address. It’s important to realize Mario Kassar is not at fault here. They’re a perfectly legit production company. They, too, are a victim. Where The Mario Kassar Scam Exists A reader submitted this as a potential scam after responding to a seemingly normal job posting ad on Craigslist in the Atlanta region. About the Mario Kassar Hiring Scam Like the original film industry hiring scam, this is too good to be true: Hello, After carefully reviewing your application and resume, I am pleased to inform you, we would like to offer you the role of (Part-time or Full-time Assistant) depending on which best fits you at Mario Kassar Productions. About Me. I am David Peter the Divisional Director for Mario Kassar Productions, I am originally from Texas and i was just moved here for the new office we had set up, We are in the construction of a little office branch here in ATL where we will be needing you to work. You will be working directly with me . About Mario Kassar Productions We are a small organization that is passionate about providing the physical basis for work in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video. As a CSR initiative, a sub-division that provides training and equips teens with the skills that they need to excel within the media and creative arts sector has been created. About The Role The role you have been short-listed for is that of an Assistant for myself, The Divisional Director of the mentioned sub-division. Seeing as it’s presently in its incipient stages and we are short-staffed, there are several administrative and logistic related tasks that I will need you to assist with. The tasks you will be required to perform on a weekly basis are as follows, Tasks -Liaising with clients via telephone both here in ATL and other parts of the world -Managing emails -Payment of bills and mailing of parcels (Please note monetary provisions will be made in advance for the payment of all bills and sending of parcels whether through Fed Ex, UPS or any other means) -Parcel pick-up/drop-off Requirements -You will be required to work 15 hours a week -You will be required to work on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (maximum of 5 hours or less daily) You will be paid an hourly fee of $25 and bonuses will also be provided twice...
How to be a Production Assistant: Watching First Team
The duties of production assistants on major motion pictures and scripted television get divvied up into four main responsibilities: first team PA, walkie PA, distro PA, background PA. (Sometimes walkie and distro are combined.) When you’re the background PA and there is no background, you may be asked to assist with “keeping eyes on First Team”. What is “keeping eyes on First Team”, and how do you do it? “First Team” – Definition First Team refers to the main actors of the movie or television show, plus any additional players that have lines on-camera. If you’re not sure who “First Team” is on a given day, consult the “CAST” section on the front of your callsheet: Looks like an easy day, only 4 people on first team today! First Team: Dissecting the Call Sheet The # column: These assigned numbers are how characters are kept track of for paperwork purposes — such as AD breakdowns, schedules, etc. Cast column: The actor’s name. For super-famous actors — let’s say, Tom Hanks — the 2nd AD may change the name here in the event that the call sheet fall into the wrong hands. Note: The AD will occasionally change the name for up-and-coming actors as well. Don’t make the mistake I almost made and refer to the actual up-and-coming actor by their made-up name. Character: Self explanatory… the character’s name. Status: This column makes you aware of whether the actor is beginning, in the middle of, or finishing their stint on the project. WS: Starts Work (first day); W: Working, WF: Work Finished (last day), SWF: Start Work Finish (dayplayers: their first and last day), H: Hold (technically not working, but may be called in). WD: Work drop (actor works today and will then be off the project for seven days or more), PW: Pickup work (actor returns after being dropped), PWF: Pickup Work Finish (actor returns after being dropped and completes task). Call: This is the time that they are due in basecamp. Pickup times are notated in the following column. Set: This is the time the actors are due– makeup and wardrobe ready– on set. First Team Duties – Start of Day The 2nd 2nd AD (sometimes first team PA) will check in with all the actors in the morning. They’ll make sure the actors have arrived to basecamp and are “in the chair” (hair/makeup trailer). First Team PA either gets the breakfast order for the cast if they have time, but usually they will need to stay in basecamp. They will then relay the orders to another PA. First Team Duties – On Set Once camera is ready, the actors needed for that scene will be shuttled...
Gift Ideas for Filmmakers, Producers, Film Students, Etc
What to you give to the person that works 15 hour days on film sets? Dr Scholl’s inserts? A gift card for a massage? Those actually aren’t horrible ideas for stocking stuffers (I love a good massage- especially after long shoot weeks), but they aren’t exactly on theme. So, here’s are a list of goodies I’ve found useful over the years that would make fantastic gifts. It’s broken into three categories: On Set for those who are currently in the biz; Learning Tools — for those just starting out, or students; or Just for Fun — affordable gifts with a film industry theme. So, whether your loved one is currently a filmmaker, wants to work on sets, a film student, or a high school student, here’s a list of gift ideas. Gifts for Life On Set Goldfold Callsheet Wallet A callsheet wallet will make life infinitely easier for assistant directors and production assistants. I also think it commands a little bit of respect! I’ve happily promoted Goldfold for years, as it’s truly the best product on the market. Made by hand by a 1st AD in Hollywood, Goldfolds are designed and engineered with practicality in mind. Buy a Goldfold callsheet wallet from Goldfold.com for $150 Portable Phone Charger A handy little external battery pack is a game-changer. I became hooked the first day on set I used one: In the middle of a rodeo, nowhere near an outlet or any kind of electricity! I simply plugged in and slipped the portable charger into my back pocket. Production life is stressful enough without agonizing over how to make 14% battery last for the final critical hour of the shoot. Buy a portable phone charger from Amazon – $15-$40 Hip/Belt Bag I’ve crowed about hip bags before. Production assistants are expected to carry a wide array of things on them at all times: cell phone, notebook, sharpies, pens, flashlight, leatherman, call sheets, extra sets of sides, etc — and having an extra pouch is a huge help. Happy Cow’s hip and belt bags are made out of recycled leather, are durable, and stylish. They come in a wide array of styles, for gals and guys. I purchased mine in 2011 and it’s still holding up, but they have raised their prices. Amazon has comparable options for almost half the price. Buy a belt bag from Happy Cow or Amazon – $30 – $120 iPad / iPad Mini This may be a bit obvious — who wouldn’t want an iPad? — but they’re extremely versatile on set! There’s a wide variety of industry apps that make life so much easier. You can use an iPad as a slate for generating timecode, obtaining release photos and signatures, filling...
Film Gear Essentials: The Hip Bag
Recently, I’ve been thinking about gear I use on film sets that I couldn’t live without. For years, I’ve had this page — a list of all of the gear I used and loved as a production assistant. I’m finally taking it one step further, by giving you an in-depth review of gear I’m particularly passionate about — what I consider to be “on set essentials”. Confession time: I wear a hip bag at work… and I love it. Before you think I’ve gone bonkers, let me explain. Hip bags, waist packs, fanny packs, bum bags, even a basic tool pouch — are INCREDIBLY useful for the demands of television and film sets. And so I don’t lose all credibility, I’m not talking about the frumpy dad fanny pack (although I guess you could choose that style to be ironic). Why I Love It I’ve used a leather hip bag – or leather hip belt with pouch, whatever you’d call it – for most of my production career. I originally bought it to replace my purse for my overseas adventures — but I quickly realized how practical it was for my daily on set life. I’m constantly on the move and need a LOT of stuff within my reach at all times. My little bag contains my cell phone, call sheet/sides, leatherman, pens, notepad, petty cash coin pouch, and most importantly, my external battery charger. (I also use the opposite side of the belt to clip my walkie and comtek.) When I first started out, I was wearing cargo shorts — mostly to have enough pockets to hold all of the aforementioned crap. As a result, I was constantly tightening my belt to keep my shorts from falling down. As my career progressed, I wanted to dress a little nicer – so I ditched the cargo shorts and embraced the hip bag. Plus, I feel like a badass while wearing it. Who Uses a Hip Bag? Almost every department will carry some sort of bag or pouch on their person — but the type and amount of gear you’ll need to carry will dictate the size and style. In my experience, these leather and canvas bags are most commonly worn by production assistants, assistant directors, story and field producers, associate producers, production coordinators, and occasionally art department. Examples of the Leather Hip Bag My go-to for the last five years has been a cleverly styled leather pouch with three zippered compartments and two pouches. It’s held up pretty well under the duress of set life, and of all the hip bags in the world, it looks the least like the dorky Disney fanny pack and more like something Lara Croft or an assassin would wear. There are...
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I'm Laryssa, and when I'm not working in film or television, I'm attempting to travel -- or I'm here, providing resources for working in film or travel. Read more Elsewhere on the internets
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