Top production assistant skills needed to get the job.

What are the top 3 traits or skills every production assistant must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your production assistant expertise?

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every production assistant must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your production assistant expertise?

i really dont know but researching on the topic

What you NEED TO KNOW as a P.A. or to become a P.A. or even to get consistent work as a P.A. is all TAUGHT at P.A. BOOTCAMP.

<Edited by Host: contact info removed>

***I agree with "PA dude"..... especially with the "willingness to learn" skill. The most frustrating person to meet or work with in the industry is someone with an ego..... In my opinion, it's almost impossible not to at least learn something from each project anyway...So thats a good attitude to have.

Also, a really important skill is *Networking.* Make cards with your contact info to pass out at the end of a show. With that in mind, your work on that current project also serves as part of your interview for the next project, in a sense. So, you want to always do your best, especially when it comes to the "Teamwork" and "Good Attendance" skills. Then, the cards you hand out have a good potential of leading to future jobs-- I hope this helps and I'm sure more responses can fill in what i left out :) ***

and...maybe we can learn "what [we] need to know" from the bootcamp as they say But, ... Maybe we can actually be convinced if the company would tell us some "top production assistant skills needed to get the job,"which is the subject for discussion lol... Then they would be participating in the discussion like everyone else here...But, if they just want to advertise and not contribute by discussing the production assistant skills i guess that is their loss right??. ---I say this after reading their previous posts in other threads at indeed.com. Anyone else who's reading this now should go check those out too..Or you may not even have to check. They could have posted something right underneath me by now and have started World Wide Web War III :P

-I have read some good advise in these threads and it sucks that some of the discussions are broken up with advertising. Enough of that tho. Looking forward to reading more posts on PA skills! ;) lol

it was this thread....

"What are the best production assistant qualifications and training to get ahead? - 45 Replies"

PA Film Junkie in Pasadena, California said: ***I agree with "PA dude"..... especially with the "willingness to learn" skill. The most frustrating person to meet or work with in the industry is someone with an ego..... In my opinion, it's almost impossible not to at least learn something from each project anyway...So thats a good attitude to have.

Also, a really important skill is *Networking.* Make cards with your contact info to pass out at the end of a show. With that in mind, your work on that current project also serves as part of your interview for the next project, in a sense. So, you want to always do your best, especially when it comes to the "Teamwork" and "Good Attendance" skills. Then, the cards you hand out have a good potential of leading to future jobs-- I hope this helps and I'm sure more responses can fill in what i left out :) ***

and...maybe we can learn "what [we] need to know" from the bootcamp as they say But, ... Maybe we can actually be convinced if the company would tell us some "top production assistant skills needed to get the job,"which is the subject for discussion lol... Then they would be participating in the discussion like everyone else here...But, if they just want to advertise and not contribute by discussing the production assistant skills i guess that is their loss right??. ---I say this after reading their previous posts in other threads at indeed.com. Anyone else who's reading this now should go check those out too..Or you may not even have to check. They could have posted something right underneath me by now and have started World Wide Web War III :P

-I have read some good advise in these threads and it sucks that some of the discussions are broken up with advertising. Enough of that tho. Looking forward to reading more posts on PA skills! ;) lol

Thank you! I know not a thing about this business but I do have the skills you mentioned. I am living just outside Atlanta and need a new gig. Thanks!

School for a PA job isn't necessary. We often hire nice people who will be helpful and work hard. I like the Dudes post. Don't be too busy passing out those cards, it can be distracting. If you are wrapped up in trying to get discovered it will annoy the guests of the show. But make sure you have them available upon request.

just be ready to get crapped on and make no money but work ungodly amount of hours so stupid american society can sit home and watch a show that will be cancelled after 5 months of work.

I'm turning 45 in a few days, and looking to start something new. Do you think becoming a PA is wise?

Gdspreacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico said: I'm turning 45 in a few days, and looking to start something new. Do you think becoming a PA is wise?

No! It takes nearly a decade to move up to a position where you can join a union, which is where you will really make some money. It takes that long because you need to keep getting work, which isn't always easy to do. SO starting as a PA at 45 would be a horrible idea.

I keep hearing how PA work should be easy to find in LA, even with no school because no experience is needed- however I am unsure of where to apply and where to begin to look for these. I am willing to work whenever, for no money.
Does anyone have links?

I found this review site very helpful to find anything I need for the production. Found the best companies to work with in no time. (www.productioncritic.com)

They just added a Crew section on www.productioncritic.com which allows you to be found by hundreds of companies and the best part is that it's free to publish yourself, but I recommend you upgrade to a premium listing for better exposure...it is only $20/yr and get to express yourself to potential employers.

Timmy in La Mirada, California said: No! It takes nearly a decade to move up to a position where you can join a union, which is where you will really make some money. It takes that long because you need to keep getting work, which isn't always easy to do. SO starting as a PA at 45 would be a horrible idea.

What about a 30-yr-old woman who has worked in an internship, as a production assistant, 6 years ago but would like to get back on track? Also, she has a strong work ethic, is in great shape, and is willing to run around in circles if she has to?

Conrad in West Covina, California said: School for a PA job isn't necessary. We often hire nice people who will be helpful and work hard. I like the Dudes post. Don't be too busy passing out those cards, it can be distracting. If you are wrapped up in trying to get discovered it will annoy the guests of the show. But make sure you have them available upon request.

I'd have to say yes it would be good to meet people, but I'm not wanting to try and be on tv. Personally I'd just love to give them a hand with anything they need, get a drink, a new shirt, anything would just be an awesome job. But your saying I don't need a bachelors degree for this? I have my associate degree but if I can find a job like this and beagle to do what I've dreamed would be amazing. Any suggestions?

Conrad in West Covina, California said: School for a PA job isn't necessary. We often hire nice people who will be helpful and work hard. I like the Dudes post. Don't be too busy passing out those cards, it can be distracting. If you are wrapped up in trying to get discovered it will annoy the guests of the show. But make sure you have them available upon request.

Passing out your card on the set is a big NO NO. Only if it is requested. Not only does it annoy the guests it will really "piss of" the rest of the crew. Always remember set protocal and show some decorum.