Event

How to Get Started as a Production Assistant

This 2-day class covers everything that new and aspiring Production Assistants (PA's) need to know to function productively on a film or commercial set. Topics include:

-What the role of a PA involves
-Skills and characteristics required to excel as a PA
-How to break into the industry
-How to craft a professional-looking Production Assistant resume
-How to conduct yourself on set
-In-depth descriptions of the most common tasks performed by PA's & how to do them well
-The roles of other crew members, agency and client you will encounter on set
-Important industry terminology
-Hands-on tutorials explaining how to use relevant gear like walkie talkies
-Tutorials on vehicles you may be asked to drive
-Tutorials and take-home samples of paperwork you will encounter on set
-Working for free and what you can expect to earn when you're getting paid
-Moving up into a department

Instructors Dave Nugent and Vanessa Eng each have a decade of experience in various aspects of film production. Both got their start as PA's. Vanessa then became a production coordinator, working on everything from web series to nationally-airing television specials and commercials. As a coordinator, Vanessa hired and helped train many PA's. Dave opened Go-4 Nuge Production Rentals, where he supplies the film industry with production motorhomes, box trucks, production supplies, walkie talkies and craft service. After 10 years as a coordinator, Vanessa joined Go-4 Nuge in summer of 2014.