Film Set PA Mistakes to AVOID! | Get Further in your Film Career Faster.

[@stephenschmitt4491]

Really informative video! Being a Set PA is a great way to get your foot in the door and find out what you want to do in the film industry. In reality though in my opinion you are really just training to become an Assistant Director. The 600 days is a huge grind but it shows the DGA that you are very committed to this line of work. You will notice as you keep working more of your fellow Set PAs moving on to other departments or out of the industry as a whole! I’m sure Amber can attest to this as well! Thanks for the video!

[@roxymarie4945]

On set with NBC .. lock ups can get to the point where you only sit down depending. If there’s no trucks, people, and it’s quiet than sitting down only make sense! I will be standing until I feel the need to sit down. Same goes for bell, but I’m right up if someone is opening the door!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Yeah at the stage it's def a bit different, or if you're doing the bells - they always sit. Paperwork PA, and BG PAs do paperwork so they should sit. But your right of I need to... Im def sitting down.

[@terenceokane]

Really great video! Random YT recommendation. Honestly, there's a huge lack of this kind of content on here (as far as I've seen over the years). Grip Tips was one of the only other channels I knew of with tips on safety and lingo, very excited to find other content about set work! Hopefully I can add some tips! Not for you, but for anyone just getting into film. My Notes: - Loved what you said about different styles. Things can change from personnel or location every day. Just have a welcoming temperament and try to flow with it. - Hadn't heard the phone / sitting thing before but it makes perfect sense. Also, do NOT bring a book! And definitely don't sit down on set and read one. - Walkie etiquette is a great way to look professional and is another thing that can help when jumping from set to set and style to style. Some crews might be chatty, others not so much. - I loved how you actually explained the role of a production assistant being part of the actual productiong department. After leaving film school in 2013ish I was so used to trying to help out with everything all the time that it was an issue on big sets. Especially union sets. You are a PRODUCTION Assistant, Assistant to the Production Department, not the production as a whole. Tips: - Early is on time and on time is late... or just don't be late. - Never hand off a task to someone else without checking first. Tasks will be assigned to you for a reason most of the time. BFS did a great job touching on this about following directions. - A Pen and or Sharpie and or Multitool are always great to have. Being able to hand someone something they ask for quickly is a great way to impress. Spare walkie bricks, folded up call sheet maybe, bottle of water, pair of socks..... but keep it light - Wear shoes or boots. We had a kid show up with loafers one time... we couldn't believe it.

[@terenceokane]

Damn, can you tell I just drove from SF to LA with lots of caffeine? I tend to rant.

[@chadrogers4811]

This video made me laugh, having seen these ( and done a few myself) quite often! Once again, well done, Amber!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Me too! Hahaha thanks so much for your comment and for watching!😁😁😁

[@maevethunderchild8333]

Another great video - as always, Amber!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Thank you! Thanks so much for watching 🎥🖤🎥

[@seekingthelost7]

These are such great tips ! Thanks for the help.

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Thank you so much for watching! Glad I can help. 🎥🖤🎥

[@kaneingram6490]

Thanks for the info!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching! 🎥🖤🎥

[@chrissystewart6268]

Count me in I need to know

[@ScottyHunter]

I know I'm 5 months late here, so probably won't get a reply... but I was curious about something. In this video you mentioned being afraid to talk to your key AD for the "first few years" as a set PA. Another source I saw said something along the lines of "if you're a PA for more than a year, you suck at it" and it implied a set PA is just entry level, toe-in-the-water type grunt work you would move on from ASAP. Is this true?? Or can a set PA be a long term job/career choice without prejudice? I ask because the whole idea of what is required sounds VERY interesting to me, including the 'grunt work' of getting coffee and food orders for folks... I am nowhere near a location where I could apply for being a set PA, but I am VERY much a behind-the-scenes, always in the background type person. I don't WANT to become a director or whatever, like so many aspire to. So, what is your opinion on being a set PA for a longer amount of time?

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

That's not true at all because if you're following the Ad track you'll be a PA for a couple years. To be a halfway decent AD you need to do all the Set PA positions - and that'll take some time. But some folks are a PA for a year or so and jump into another department. But that also varies timewise. I've def met a ton of ppl who have been a PA for several years bc they want to. So that does happen. It just doesn't pay as well that's why folks don't stay in it.

[@ScottyHunter]

@@BeyondFilmSchool That definitely makes sense about the pay being the reason people jump out of it as soon as possible. After posting that question, I watched your video about what they pay and it does seem pretty low for such long hours and physical go-time required. I dunno, I guess I'm just wired different because the job and everything about it sounds like it could be fun and isn't too horrible, and the minimum wage doesn't deter me. Maybe someday I'll be in a city that has some entry level set PA options and give it a try! Thanks for the reply and insight!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

It def can be a very fun job! Def what you make of it. I always say a day on set is better than no day on set.

[@eluna34]

what of set PA's with a physical disability and sitting - is it said to be acceptable but still silently frowned upon?

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

We had a PA who twisted her ankle and was on crutches for weeks. We have her the easier lock ups. And a chair. So not at all

[@crystalfoxfilms]

Do you know what "save it" means (looking at the monitor) and also crew kept saying the word Low Key a lot and it didn't have to do with lighting. Thx.

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Save it - means turn it off. You're saving a light for example. Low- key is a lot lovely gen z term but it means like to be kept quiet or more subtle

[@crystalfoxfilms]

@@BeyondFilmSchool so saving as in save battery, light, etc? is the reason for power saving or something different? ugh. gen z again. thanks!

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

Yeah essentially you're saving the power it takes to run whatever it is.

[@crystalfoxfilms]

@@BeyondFilmSchool Thank you. Appreciate you taking the time to help! :)

[@baza6127]

Hello, great video. Odd question, but i have been offered an interview for an unpaid PA. I want to become a 3d modeller, and have studied 3d, and vfx. I also have an interest in compositing and such, and had emailed a company during my course for an internship, and was supprised to hear back now months after i have finished. They do not have a position for what i am interest in, but offered me an interview for a PA. Is this something i should do? Would it help get my foot in the door and into a position I am interested in? I dont want to take the opportunity from somebody else if offered, if they are more suited it, have more of a drive for that area. And I dont want to be ungreatful for the opportunity either. Thank you

[@BeyondFilmSchool]

How did the interview go?! You never know where opportunities can take you - while it may not be your ideal position you will learn a lot. It's kinda like when I wanted and was focused on being a background PA getting ready for that 2nd 2nd AD position - but instead they offered me the walkie PA. I wasn't happy but that opportunity opened a lot of doors for me and also lead me to being a key PA which obviously to me now that I need but didn't realize back then. You never know. For whatever reason this opening is on front of you.