As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of a production assistant.

What is a Production Assistant?

Throughout our series on the numerous and interesting jobs in the film and TV industry, we have seen a common theme: a good way to break into the industry is to start as a production assistant (PA). Although the entry-level PA role requires being a gofer and taking care of myriad, menial tasks day in and day out, it is crucial to the successful operation of a production. This role can help aspiring industry professionals gain on-the-job experience and develop networks to help them work their way up through the ranks and into their dream jobs. Let’s look at a PA’s responsibilities.

What Does a Production Assistant Do?

According to MasterClass, a PA’s tasks vary depending on whether the person is working on sets during filming (field PA), in the office (office PA), or in postproduction (postproduction PA). Field PAs might help with set clean-up, transportation, food orders, and more. Office PAs might answer phones, handle paperwork, and other office tasks as needed. Postproduction PAs, who help the editors and producers who work with the film footage, might help organize content, and, as with any PA role, more tasks as needed. The varied nature of PA tasks can be seen in Careers in Film’s overview of the role in which Kaitlin Cornell, a Marvel Entertainment PA, says “Personally, I’ve had a wide variety of odd jobs, from office work to making sure that shipments go out on time to just plain old sweeping.” See firsthand what it is like to be a field PA in this RocketJump Film School video, “A Day in the Life of a Production Assistant.”

Being a PA not only gives you a front row view into how the various departments involved in a production work, but it can lead you to higher level positions in those departments. So how do you land a job as a PA?

How do I become a Production Assistant?

While there is no specific experience or degree required to become a PA, a film school degree can give you an advantage over other candidates. Careers in Film staff member Alison Stolpa, quoted in their overview of the role, says, “Even though it’s an entry-level position, finding a Production Assistant gig is super competitive. This means hiring committees get to pick the best and brightest candidates, which usually means Production Assistants will have a college degree, usually from a film program.” Another advantage is having a network that can recommend you as a candidate. MasterClass points out that “…many positions will come down to networking: knowing people who will hear about job openings and can vouch for you as a hard worker.” Further, the Nashville Film Institute suggests other tips for those seeking a PA role, such as living in an area where movies and TV shows are made, talking with PAs, joining industry groups on social media, and more.

A valuable skill that you should possess as a prospective PA is a good attitude, as PAs are expected to handle many unglamourous tasks without complaining. This can-do attitude will also help you build a good reputation and make it more likely that you will get additional jobs. In their overview of the PA role, Backstage emphasizes additional skills for a successful PA, “It’s important to be reliable, available, and positive, and to have strong communication skills: asking questions and having a concrete understanding of your tasks in the midst of the hectic shooting day is extremely important.“

Read more about the production assistant role at MasterClass, Careers in Film, Backstage, and the Nashville Film Institute. Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.