How To Become A Production Assistant: What You Should Know

Production Beast
Aug 8, 2017 · 5 min read

Production assistant jobs are the first step to a long career in Hollywood. Often to referred to as PAs, production assistants help out the cast and crew with everything from grabbing them coffee to helping the director of photographer adjust the lighting. This is an entry level position for people who want to get their foot in the door of the entertainment industry.

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Although Hollywood seems like an elusive world, similar to other industries, you will have to pay your dues and climb up the ladder to become successful. On-set production jobs are hard but rewarding experiences that will benefit you in the long run.

So, what does a production assistant do?

Production Assistant Job Description

  • Communicate with the cast and crew throughout the day.
  • Organize food or catering.
  • Make copies of scripts.
  • Manage paperwork (time sheets, scripts, contracts).
  • Control crowds.
  • Transport the cast and crew between locations.
  • Move around equipment.
  • Answer important phone calls.
  • Coordinate with other production assistants.
  • Film PAs sometimes are assigned a specific actor to assist.

How to become a Production Assistant

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3-How to Use Color in Film - Example of Movie Color Palette and Schemes - Color Theory Film - Balanced Colors-min

Most production assistant jobs are in Los Angeles and New York City. These jobs can be found through job board sites, word of mouth, or e-mail lists.

Before trying to get a film production assistant job or a TV production assistant job, you should start off with small gigs to gain more experience, contacts, and a deeper understanding of what you want from your career. These gigs can include independent films, short films, or commercials. Regardless, you should aim for on set production jobs if you want to get a headstart on that career path.

So, what do you need to become a production assistant?

As an entry-level position, production assistant jobs have no formal education requirements. When hiring, production companies mainly look for experience and recommendations from previous employers. Hence, it’s important for you to do a great job during your first gigs so you gain a respectable reputation in the industry.

How do you do an awesome job as an production assistant?

To start, you’ll need some specific skills.

Production Assistant Skills

  • Friendly: In the entertainment industry, you’re going to deal with some eccentric personalities. Since you’re working an entry level entertainment job, you should be extra kind, hospitable, and polite.
  • Love movies and TV: It always helps to be passionate about your job. If you love movies and TV shows, you will be interested to learn as much as possible about your job.
  • Flexible: Production assistant jobs can be hard experiences. If you’re flexible, you will be prepared for this intensity.
  • Responsibility: Even entry level film jobs can involve a lot of duties and tasks. Being a responsible person will help you thrive in this position.
  • Good listening skills:Production assistants are given a great deal of information throughout the work day. You should have excellent listening skills for this position.
  • Open-minded: Film production assistant jobs and TV production assistant jobs are positions for people who want to learn more about the entertainment industry. Being an open-minded person who is eager to learn will make you a great production assistant.

If you think you have these skills and want to know how to be a production assistant, check out these tips.

Production Assistant Tips

  • Network: The entertainment industry is all about who you know to help you get ahead. You’re going to need to put yourself out there and attend networking events and join Facebook groups to create a reliable network for future gigs.
  • Follow-up: People in the entertainment industry tend to be busy. Its up to you to follow up and reach out to your previous employers, contacts, and former coworkers for future gigs. You will need to perfect the art of the follow up e-mail to maintain a steady communication with busy Hollywood types.
  • Gratitude: Though entry level entertainment jobs can be hard and demanding, you should always express how thankful you are for the experience. You should be extremely gracious so you leave a good impression and get more gigs.
  • Be strategic: At the end of the day, being a production assistant is an educational experience that’s supposed to help you achieve your career goals. There are differences between being a Film PA and a TV PA. Your gigs should align with your ideal trajectory. Do you see yourself as the next Quentin Tarantino? Then you should try to get film production assistant jobs. Or do you want to be the next Jill Solaway? Then you should look for TV production assistant jobs.

What is a Production Assistant’s salary?

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3-How to Use Color in Film - Example of Movie Color Palette and Schemes - Color Theory Film - Balanced Colors-min

Since these jobs are entry level, production assistants don’t make a lot of money and tend to work long hours. However, you should look at film production jobs and TV production jobs as a long term investment. Yes, you will at least be working 14 hour days. But the connections and knowledge you will gain is incredibly valuable.

So, how much does a production assistant make?

The national average production assistant salary is $32,000. The average salary for production assistant jobs in Los Angeles is $29,000. On the other hand, the average for production assistant jobs in NYC is $37,900.

Even though year-long production assistant jobs do exist, most of them are short-term gigs. TV production assistant jobs last the duration of a TV season, while film production assistant jobs end once shooting has wrapped up. The average entry level production assistant hourly wage is $13.70.

If you’re a production assistant with no experience in Los Angeles, you will most likely start off with day wages for short-term projects.

However, some projects don’t pay at all. When you first start off your career, you should expect to work for smaller productions like actor film-reels, film school projects, or low-budget commercials. These projects tend to pay either below average or nothing at all.

Remember, even if a production assistant salary is low, the most important aspect to these jobs isn’t the salary but rather the experience you get.

Production Assistant Jobs: Ready to start?

Production assistant job duties can range from doing small tasks to executing extremely important project. Within a span of one production, you can truly get a crash course in the entertainment industry.

So, are you ready to start this journey?

Finding production assistant jobs can be frustrating. There are more efficient ways than simply Google-searching “production jobs near me.” Luckily, there are helpful platforms out there that can help you find a job that’s just right for you. Visit ProductionBeast to find production assistant jobs, establish a network as a freelancer, or post an opening at your company.

Are you ready for the entertainment industry?

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