Who Do I Work For?

Who do I work for?

The answer is...everybody. You are here to support every crew member in every department. You need to do the easy (or gross or boring) stuff for them so they are free to do the technical or artistic stuff they were hired to do.

Probably the most confusing thing about being a PA is when you already have something to do and someone else tells you to do something else. You don’t want to appear as if you have a “bad attitude”, but you also know you can’t be in two places at the same time.

One thing you can do is get another PA to do one of the two things you’ve been asked to do. Another thing you can do is take the two tasks to your immediate supervisor and let him/her figure out how to get it all done. On set, do this by calling the Key PA on the walkie, and taking the conversation to channel 2 (or your “go to” channel. (see also: walkie etiquette)

The worst thing you can do is not get one of the things done and not tell anybody about it. This makes us all look bad. And remember to tell the person who assigned you the task when you are finished.

During Prep and Wrap-your immediate supervisor is the Production Manager or Coordinator. You are also working directly for the Production Manager, the Producer, the Director and the Executive Producer and all the people from the advertising agency.

During Shoots-your immediate supervisor is the 1st AD, 2nd AD or Key PA (often dependent on crew size). You are also working for the First and Second AD’s, in addition to all the department heads and all the people listed above in Prep and Wrap.

Please send your feedback to palmerx164@mac.com