I’m 18 and i just finished my 1st week at Tyler Perry Studios. My first day, everyone thought i sucked. I was approaching it like any other job. Then I get home and my Dad was talking to me and I felt like he doubted me. That was all I needed honestly. Tuesday, i started ATTACKING. I started filling into the role i felt was needed most, a spark plug. I put a smile on all the time, always telling everyone that i notice they are working hard, telling everyone to be great, and helping out any and everyone i came into contact with. Kept waters and small snacks on hand, always had extra call sheets and shooting orders, and i saw how the positive energy i put out made its way back to me. The hours are long, we don’t sit down unless we’re on lunch (4-5) and it’s a lot of telling people to quiet down on set but i found that if the crew likes you , they’ll be more inclined to listen when you ask them to do something.

The Production Assistant's handbook is a great read for anyone interested in what it's like to be a PA on a real set. Very short

when I was a PA I totally enjoyed it it was a good experience for me, everytime I feel like I'm not doing anything I always ask "is there anything I can do?" uhmmm I never looked at my position as something "low" or anything like that though I get alot of comments that PA's are useless but then the best way to outwit that label is to just keep asking the crew what you can help.

"Don't sleep on set" omg what kind of terrible pa's has he had ahahaa

It is wrong to promote not paying crew as OK if "not in the budget". I have gotten paid more than you have as a PA with not that much experience as straight PA, and I never work for free except for friends. It is illegal not to pay minimum wage. There are a lot of people that claim they never have money to pay PAs in their budget, especially in LA. That's because they think they don't have to. Wait till we get our new Attorney General soon. If they are ever sued for not paying minimum wage they will have to find the money to pay the penalties too. In CA the penalty for late pay is up to 30 days pay plus interest and social security etc.. Claiming the PA is a "volunteer" or a freelancer is an excuse that no government agent will pay any attention to.

My last gig as a PA, the producer had us scrape fish guts off a pier until they started filming, and then we were crowd control. Those were fun times honestly, talking to other PAs and working with an all-female crew!

Jordan is so right 100% all that he has said is great. When i was a PA on a set of a film i got up graded to grip and electric just do to the amount i helped out them. then the director liked how i looked and put me on as an extra. also one last key thing is that no mater what you should have a Business card ( your contact info) basic email a number to contact you and your website if you have one. this will give you some thing to give out if say someone stops by the set and sees how you work and then then might want you on there set doing other jobs or maybe even another PA job.

In simple terms... PA is the Butler of the production, seen but not heard, active but quiet, helpful with manners and a positive attitude! Always ready and willing to help in any way possible!

My first job on set was a PA and it was for free with a lot of manual labor. That doesn't sound like a great experience, but I learned a lot and made some connections. Just two weeks after that, I got put on another gig as a second camera operator, but the camera operator from the first gig. I am really happy I took that because it taught me something. If you work hard and have a good attitude, people will forgive mistakes and give you other work. It was a nice insight into the industry.

Great video - really helpful advice. I've got my first PA job tomorrow so thank you!

I only worked as a PA only a day and the job isn't a lazy job for sure. It's long hours but it pays good and it's a start.

PA experience: First day. Guy asks me where bin bags are on location. I asked do you mean the bin bags owned by the place were filming (bar)? He says yes . I say i don't know as i dont work at the bar and weve been here 10 minutes. He starts freaking out and saying I should "know these things". Hilarity ensues.

ive had one PA job and dude. i really wish i had seen this! Tough skin required- youre so right. and loved that tip seen not heard. def need help looking for work- tips in that?

Sound design is top notch on this. Loving the added details.

This helps alot thank you!

i was a p.a. 3 times this year the 1st time was for a tv show 2nd time was a reality show and the 3rd time was from the same tv show from the 1st time i talked to a few people from the same tv show and they said i did a good job but there's still ALOT more i need to know about they basically said the same thing you said about not being afraid to ask questions and to help people out by opening the door for them and someone also said that i should be more open to people but it was kinda hard for me cause there's SO MANY people around and it's hard to talk to them when everyone is busy with their own departments and it's like you said you don't wanna get in their way and one of the a.d.'s said that i should always have extra "hot bricks" in my bag before we start filming and i need to ask for a head set immediately when i get my walkie but other than that they said i did a good job i told the extras what to do i asked different departments if they needed any help with anything and i'm just waiting on a phone call back they pretty much put me as a day player BUT i emailed one of ad's 2 weeks ago to see if i can start coming on the show once a week so that i can work on the things people told me about and i haven't heard a response so hopefully i'll get a call back soon but if not i'll have to call them myself

awesome video!!! I've got a volunteer unpaid PA gig tmrw, and I'm nervous but very excited!! I want to bring my best

How do you get the job in the first place?

Starting my first day as a PA on a feature tomorrow of a 42 day shoot, really looking forward to it.

How do you become a PA or is there a way I can “shadow” one just to get the feel of it?