The production assistant, also known as a PA, is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production. The production assistant assists the director, actors, producers, key grips, and just about anyone else on a film to ensure the filming goes smoothly.
PAs provide production support equipment such as dollies, cranes, director's chairs and pop-up tents to standing in for talent and even filling in for other departments who might be shortstaffed. It is not atypical for a commercial set PA to be seen handling trash one minute, and the next minute assisting the electricians or grips with a set-up. This is how much their job duties vary. Sometimes PAs are attached to certain actors and actresses and are responsible to catering to their needs.
The work includes assisting actors and the crew, issuing scripts, dealing with travel and accommodation bookings and sorting out enquiries and other paperwork.
A select group of commercial set PAs are given the responsibility of driving and managing the production and camera cube trucks. This responsibility is often given to the more senior PAs because it provides several extra days of pay. Junior PAs can work their way up to this position.
Set production assistants work directly on the set. They may shuttle actors and actresses around, set up equipment, clean up debris, fetch food and drink, and generally assist others. They are more commonly hired by the production coordinator and/or production manager as opposed to an AD or key set PA. However, many commercial ADs will.
A production assistant may work on different kinds of TV shows and programs and movies, such as news and current affairs, reality television shows, soap operas, dramas and comedies. They are usually involved at all stages of a project, working alongside everyone from early stages until completion.
According to a recent article, the standard rate for a commercial PA in the Los Angeles area is a flat rate of 200 dollars per day. On February 1, 2008, benefits for qualifying freelance PAs became available through the Producer's Health Benefits Plan.
To become a production assistant you must be tenacious. Typically no degree is required by it is helpful to go to film school. Often you'll work from the bottom up and you should network with people to get jobs on films. It can be a competitive area to break into. Almost all TV producers, writers, directors and executives start out in the entry-level position of production assistant.
PAs learn about the entire film process, from beginning to end. If they're good at what they do, they might get to do things like sit in on production meetings and observe the director or editor working.
Other duties include attending production meetings, booking hotels and other accommodations, booking travel, typing and and distributing schedules, distributing call sheets, dealing with budgets, accounts, and expenses, getting food, checking running orders, checking scripts, making shot lists, logs, and other paperwork for post-production, running various errands, assisting cast members with their call times, typing, editing, copying, and distributing scripts, and setting up pre-recorded material in the studio gallery.
