A Day in the Life of a Production Assistant

If you're planning on working your way up into the film industry, PAing is a rite of passage. Production Assistants (P.A.'s) are often overlooked, but are a crucial part of any production. They work as a team, have their eyes on everything, facilitate communication across the entire set, and keep everything running smoothly. On the set of RocketJump: The Show, we gave production assistant Colin West McDonald a go pro and followed him as he went about his day on the short "Tip Jar."

Learn about set protocol and lingo, what exactly is said on all the walkies, lock ups, what a "last man" is, and general production assistant duties... as well as what to do to guarantee you'll get hired again!

Questions about PAing? Ask us directly in our forums:

Big thanks to Colin West McDonald for sitting down with us, sharing his knowledge, and for wearing a camera on his head all day. Also, a million thanks to Nathan Koepp, story producer and shooter/editor for RocketJump: The Show, and Armeen Monahan and Allen Chodakowski, camera operators for the show, for giving us such amazing footage.

You can watch the full episode of RocketJump: The Show on Hulu:

Or you can watch just the short, Tip Jar:

Special thanks to RØDE Microphones! Check them out here:

We're on TWITCH every Thursday at 3PM PST!

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[saarlevy]

So PA's are basically the unsung heroes of the film industry

[LukeCypert]

This is probably the most informative behind the scenes video I've ever seen.

[CZsWorld]

I really liked this, I hope other positions have documentaries.

[Jennifur]

watched this video before going on a shoot on Wednesday for four days and they kept calling me a rockstar PA, thanks you for the helpful video.

[delisadabney]

I am a filmmaker. PAing is good because it gives you a well rounded experience on the set. You get to learn how all the puzzle pieces fit together and the etiquette, yes. there are rules on the set you really need to know as this video shows so well. I've hired PAs and they are absolutely invaluable. Once we replaced our Production Manager who wouldn't do what we had asked with a PA who then ran the entire set and got the credit. I bet he's a Producer or Director now.

[chipio]

Seems to me like the PAs are some of the most important people on set.

[clementeen]

great example of a wonderful pa who is happy being the pa and doing his job well. A can do attitude. Thanks pa's you help us a lot on set and you deserve praise

[DrGamesAlot]

I watched this cause this Friday I'm getting my first PA job on the set of Transformers 5!! I'm really nervous though for my first time being a huge movie..

[willcrowther]

Such a solid and informative video. No surprise that Colin has moved on from his PA position to AD and directing roles. Congrats to you sir -- it seems well-deserved.

[mrandre]

As a person who's PA'd for 3 years, this is such a fantastic, insightful video that articulates so much of the life of a PA. Also, props to Colin for being so on top of everything and having a great attitude. Best wishes to you with your other ventures!

[ShreyankaTKirubagaran]

Tomorrow is my first day ever as a PA ! Im so nervous but so excited!!

[Chris-pthh]

The world needs more people like Colin.

[GuiBoi]

Being a PA has always been one of my favorite jobs. Get to do a little of everything. But it is true it gets you interested in other things. As my focus now is being an AD. Still miss being s PA though.

[RobLevel]

He seems like a nice guy. Good for you Mr. McDonald.

[cindyralston]

I'm a BG extra -- yes, lower than the PAs -- and I've had the pleasure of working with some wonderful PAs here in Georgia. They know how to handle all of these unexpected stresses and still talk to us BG as fellow human beings. :) Some PAs know that I love hugs... so they hug me. And they are always so helpful -- like when one of my PAs got my car out of the muddy field our cars were parked in. And just yesterday a PA grabbed the chair I was told to carry, and carried it for me. Maybe those are the perks of being a "lil' ol' lady" or maybe I remind them of their moms -- but kindness like this inspires me to listen closely, to zip it when it's time to be quiet... and to pick up trash (not just mine) before I leave. I'm rooting for those PAs and want to see them go far in their endeavors.

[montimilian]

Cool video, I worked as a PA twice before starting college and I remember that this job is really exhausting but it's also very useful to learn how things work on a set

[DineshKumar-tnpu]

I'm a time traveller from 2050 for a research purpose. And it's been an honour to see the future director, of one of the best movie that will ever be made. Looking from 2020 perspective, he has no idea of what he's gonna become!!

[ivesJay]

I did two days PA work on indie shoot, 90% of my job was driving, and driving, and driving. This is in Manhattan, so sitting in traffic for an hour each way, driving actors home and back. Picking up vans and driving them back in at night. Go into grocery stores and picking up snacks and waters. Getting coffee, going to hardware stores, finally on set helping a grip black out a window. Than cleaning up at end of day. I was only PA so i really didn't learn much about on set procedures, since i was away for so much. But good experience to be on set. Some advice to PA's SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS

[IndoCroatPerson]

As a new PA, all this advice has been passed down to me from seniors. This video is a perfectly shows and explains everything I know and even taught me new things. Thank you for this one guys!

[sunshinecarson]

I was a PA last summer and it was hands down the most intense/boring/fun job I've ever had.