Production Assistant

What is a Production Assistant?

A production assistant is the entry-level position on a film crew. Usually, PA's run around performing small but important tasks in the office, around the set and on location. They are hired by film and tv production staff to basically assist wherever they are needed on productions.
In a production office, their duties typically include:

• Answering phones
• Filing paperwork and data entry
• Arranging lunches, dinners, transportation reservations
• Photocopying
• General office administration
• Distributing production paperwork

On set however, their duties would usually include:

• Acting as a courier
• Helping to keep the set clean & tidy
• Distributing call sheets, health and safety notices and other paperwork

On location shoots, they may also be required to help coordinate the extras, help with crowd control etc (except where this would be dangerous, which in that case it would be some by police officers or something like that).

They are required to be flexible and well organised. They must also be able to work in a fast paced environment and think on their feet. They should be able to relay messages quickly and accurately but also know when silence is required on set. They are needed to have strong verbal and written communication so that they are able to make things run as smoothly as possible. Production assistants need to have a positive attitude and be able to form good relationships with the people on set so that there is always a positive atmosphere.