Vehicles

Your car:

The very nature of the Philadelphia market makes it necessary for all crew members to have a car. As a PA, it is very possible that you will be using your own car as a production vehicle for the job.

• If you use your car specifically as a production vehicle (for runs, picking up talent at the train, etc.) your mileage for this will be reimbursed by the production company. Always make a note of your mileage and get a mileage form from production.
• Mileage to and from a local location, set or a production company office is NOT reimbursable. This is considered your commute to work.
• Your car should be in good running condition, insured and clean.
• Make sure your car is filled with gas when you arrive on set, and don’t let it get too low.
• Keep your car well stocked with maps of all the surrounding areas.
• Always have your drivers license with you.

Rental Vehicle Checklist:

Follow this list when picking up a rental vehicle:
 Vehicle is clean and in good shape
 Inform rental company of any existing damage
 There is a spare tire and a jack
 No broken mirrors
 All inspection and registration stickers are up-to-date
 Read the rental agreement. Find out from production ahead of time how much they should be paying, whether or not to get insurance, etc.
 Copy of rental agreement and registration in vehicle at all times. Make sure to bring the rental agreement to the production office and make a photocopy of it for the production coordinator.
 Air-conditioning works well
 Wipers work and there is wiper fluid
 Fill up the van with gas before you pick up people

Follow this list when returning a rental vehicle:

Check the entire vehicle(under seats, in trunk, etc.) for any personal belongings or equipment and turn them in to production.
Fill up with gas. Most rental companies charge an exorbitant amount for gas.
 Get a receipt. Do not assume that production will “somehow” obtain one.
 Take any locks belonging to production.


Parking & Permits
• If this job has a permit, make sure a copy is properly displayed in the vehicle, usually in the front window, with a sign in the back window that says “parking permit in front window.”
• If a parking permit is not required, keep a sign in your car indicating that this is a “Film Crew Vehicle”. Place signs in the front and back windows.
• A parking permit does not mean you can park wherever you wish. Check with production on where you are permitted to park.
• Whenever possible, park legally. If you get a parking ticket, turn it in to Production immediately. Production will not pay for any moving violations.
• If you’re keeping the vehicle overnight, and park the vehicle in a lot, make sure they will be open as early in the morning as you need to get the vehicle.
• If your car is towed, call production. It happens, and your production coordinator is likely to know the quickest method of dealing with it.
Chauffeur Duty
It is often the responsibility of a PA to pick up non-local crew members, Agency, Client or talent. Remember the following:

• Make sure you know who you are supposed to be picking up, where they will be and where you are to take them.
• Either get a sign from production or make one yourself with the production company name on it. Make sure to keep poster board and markers in your car for this.
• Make sure your car is clean. In most cases the production company will let you know you’ll be picking someone up, and will reimburse a car wash if necessary.
• If you’re waiting for people, have the car or van already facing the correct direction for leaving and have it running with AC or heat already on.
• Respect the person you are driving, and the production company. Don’t make idle chatter or small talk unless invited to do so. Don’t discuss aspects of the job.
• Only go where you are told by production. If a person you are driving wants to make some stops, or go someplace else, inform production. This may delay you or be inappropriate.
Getting there
• Read through the directions ahead of time. Listen to local traffic reports before and as you drive.
• Use the commercial directions if you’re driving a truck (or any other oversized vehicle) to location. The time on the call sheet is the time at which you should be parked on location, so be 15 minutes earlier than that. Also, allow plenty of extra time for commercial directions, which sometimes means taking slower streets and roads instead of faster highways. Always check with Production to find out how much time to allow for driving.
Accidents
If you get in an accident
• Call the police and file a police report (this is not negotiable, regardless of the size of the accident). Sometimes the police will not come to the scene, you may have to go to the nearest police station. Call Production first, before you go to the station
• Call Production and inform us of the situation.
• Get the name, address, phone numbers, license plate number and insurance company name, address, phone number of the other party. If they will not give you any information, do not give them any of yours; just get their license plate number and call the police
• Write down what happened
• If possible, buy a disposable camera (get one with a flash) and take pictures of the damage to both vehicles.
• Swap out the rental vehicle if there is significant damage.