Becoming a production assistant is one of the best ways to enter into the television and film industry on the ground floor.
Production assistants take care of the administration, organization, and secretarial work that goes along with producing TV programs. They assist actors and ensure each actor has the proper script and hair and makeup instructions.
They are responsible for ensuring the production quality of all promotions, commercials, and public service announcements.
The production assistant books travel and accommodations for everyone on staff. This requires attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple schedules.
In reality, these job duties aren't set in stone and can change day-to-day, minute-to-minute.
The assistant works on every facet of the program, from conception to filming to completion.
Other typical work activities include attending production meetings, preparing correspondence, making copies of scripts, running errands, managing expenses, typing call sheets, and assisting cast members with various requests. They set up materials, keep track of deadlines and remind directors of time constraints, and place orders.
The PA also calls out rolls and cuts during a shoot. If an extra hand is needed on a set and if the production is off and he is working in the office and he is allotted as an office production assistant he must be able to do interchangeable office or set chores.
Production assistants make sure everyone knows their call time and when to walk on set. They also manage the craft services table and place fresh food and drinks out for actors, camera crew, and directors to munch on while they are filming.
Because production assistants are on set most of the time, it's not uncommon for them to actually appear in the film of TV program as an extra. Or he or she manages the hiring and selection of extras.
At the end of the day the production assistants are responsible for sweeping up debris, collecting props, and putting away costumes. The articles need to be put away in an orderly fashion so that they can be easily accessed the next day.
They also handle the distribution of paper works, radios and other equipments needed on the set.
The best production assistants jobs are those that lead to more opportunities if the programming has a limited schedule. Most PA jobs are entry-level and in the entertainment industry.
Work days are often very long for production assistants, sometimes 12 to 15 hours. Because you are assisting other people, the work can be grueling and you'll be managing several different tasks at once.
Being an excellent listener and a multitasker are important traits of a good production assistant. They are typically called 'gophers' because they go-for-this or go-for-that.
Jobs in film and television are the most ideal for production assistants. They'll get to work with many talented actors and directors and will be able to see a movie or TV program made from the ground up.
To become a production assistant, some companies prefer an associate's degree or its equivalent with 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. They also prefer that the PA has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within his particular field.
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