How to Become a Production Assistant: A Hollywood Insider's Guide (2026 Edition)
In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.
-Alfred Hitchcock
How to Become a Production Assistant: A Hollywood Insider's Guide (2026 Edition)
🎬 Learn Filmmaking from Industry Pros
Get access to free filmmaking courses, expert resources, and top training programs designed to take your skills to the next level.
By signing up, you agree to receive emails from FilmLocal. You may also receive relevant offers from trusted partners. Opt-out anytime. Privacy Policy
Why Start as a Production Assistant?
“When you’re doing films, just with friends, with no money, on a shoestring. You have to be able to do all the jobs… And it’s a wonderful way to learn everything.” — Christopher Nolan
The film industry’s hierarchy makes starting from the bottom a smart move. Many successful Hollywood careers began with a production assistant position. This role gives you an unmatched view of filmmaking despite its long hours and basic pay.
Famous filmmakers who began as PAs
Hollywood’s path from coffee runs to directing has many success stories. Kathleen Kennedy now leads Lucasfilm and boasts eight Academy Award nominations, but she started as a production PA for filmmaker John Milius, cataloging his gun collection. Steven Spielberg spotted her talent on the set of “1941,” and she became his producing partner for classics like “E.T.” and “Lincoln.”
“SNL” star Bill Hader’s entertainment journey started as a TV production assistant before he moved up to assistant editor for reality TV. His time behind the scenes gave him a great way to get industry knowledge before finding his path as a performer.
Brad Pitt worked as a production PA before becoming a star. He managed extras and handled various odd jobs on film sets. These early experiences helped him understand the industry from its foundations.
These stories show a simple truth: a production assistant job teaches you the ropes and launches ambitious filmmakers toward success.
Why this role is the best entry point into film
Production assistant positions open doors in the film industry. Here’s why they work so well.
You get to see every department in action. Kaitlin Cornell, a Production PA with Marvel Entertainment, puts it this way: “If a person is a PA then they’re doing everything that no one wants to do… It can be cleaning up for the Art Department, doing paperwork for Accounting, setting up Craft Services, answering the phone, or just running around making sure that everyone has coffee”. This broad exposure helps you find your perfect fit in the industry.
The role welcomes newcomers without experience. Production PAs earn between $150 to $250 daily depending on the job and experience level. The national average salary reaches $34,300 yearly, ranging from $31,000 to $43,000.
On top of that, it lets you build amazing connections. “Being a PA gives you the freedom to be a sponge and soak up knowledge from talented individuals around you,” says an experienced PA. These relationships become vital when climbing the career ladder.
The position creates clear paths upward. Department heads often pick their favorite PAs: “Often, a department will try to grab their own PAs… if someone has an interest, like working in the Costume Department, then they should let the Key PA or Production Coordinator know and generally they’ll be moved to work there”.
No film school matches the real-life lessons you learn as a production PA. You see how productions tackle challenges, how departments work together, and how creative ideas come to life. These experiences build strong foundations for a green career in the industry.
Remember this if you want to break into Hollywood as a production PA without experience: every industry giant once stood right where you are now.
Understanding the Role and Lifestyle
Production assistants are the backbone of film and television productions. They do the work that often goes unnoticed. The glitz and glamor of Hollywood hides a world of early mornings, long days, and tireless dedication from those starting their careers. Let’s see what life as a PA really looks like.
What a typical day looks like
A production assistant’s days are never similar, yet they follow a familiar pattern of organized chaos. The workday starts before sunrise, with call times as early as 5:00 AM for a 6:30 AM crew call. PAs check in with their Key PA or 2nd Assistant Director to get their daily assignments once they arrive on set.
A production PA’s job includes these tasks:
Preparing and delivering daily call sheets that outline scenes being filmed
Announcing when shooting starts and ends (“rolling” and “cut”)
Relaying instructions from the director to cast and crew
Spotting and communicating problems that come up during filming
Running errands and gathering supplies
Escorting actors and extras to required locations
Managing crowd control through redirection and “locking down” the set
“We have a joke on set that PA stands for ‘practically anything'”, says one PA. This shows how PAs handle any task that keeps production running smoothly, from organizing equipment to managing background actors.
Working hours and set culture
The film industry’s brutal schedules hit PAs the hardest. A regular workday goes way beyond 9-to-5, with 12-hour days seen as normal and 14-16 hour days happening regularly.
One PA shared their experience of working “sixteen to eighteen hours every day and the worst day was twenty hours”. Another PA worked 27 hours straight on a TV series’ final day.
The time between shifts, called “turnaround”, can be incredibly short. “We would work sixteen hours and then only get ten hours off and then be back for another long day. That was the real killer,” a script supervisor explained. This schedule leaves barely any time for personal life.
PAs must stay ready and available on set. They stay on their feet most of the day and can’t sit or look inactive. One PA mentioned: “At certain workplaces, it’s frowned upon to sit, to appear idle or to gather around in groups”.
Challenges and rewards of the job
Being a PA brings challenges beyond long hours. The job needs physical stamina, PAs lift up to 50 pounds and stay on their feet all day. They must stay focused and positive despite pressure and difficult personalities.
“As a PA, I’ve been screamed at, I’ve been sworn at, I’ve been belittled,” says Addie Porter, a Los Angeles-based PA with 12 years of experience. PAs often absorb stress from above while staying composed.
This role gives you a chance to learn about all aspects of production. “It is one of the best ways for industry newbies to learn more about film and television production,” an industry expert points out. You can figure out which specialization fits your talents by seeing the whole filmmaking process.
A production PA becomes part of the filmmaking ecosystem. The role tests your limits but builds a foundation for a lasting career in entertainment.
How to Land Your First PA Job
Breaking into the film industry takes strategy, persistence, and knowing the right places to look. Competition for entry-level production assistant positions is tough, especially in major production hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. You’ll need a smart approach to stand out from the crowd.
How to get a job as a production assistant
Production assistant jobs come in several forms. You can work as a set PA, office PA, department-specific PA (art, wardrobe, locations), or post-production assistant. Each role needs slightly different skills, but they all need reliability, punctuality, and great communication skills.
Simple qualifications you’ll need:
A valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle (you’ll run lots of errands)
Strong work ethic and the ability to handle pressure
Excellent communication skills
Physical stamina to stand for long periods
Simple knowledge of production workflows
The right attitude matters most, you must be ready to take on any task with enthusiasm, no matter how small. Kaitlin Cornell, a Production PA with Marvel Entertainment puts it well: “People are always giving a list of tasks to PAs and they don’t always do it in the nicest way… The core team prefers those who ask questions to get things done correctly and smile a lot”.
Using job boards and social media groups
The digital world offers many platforms that focus on film industry jobs:
Staff Me Up: A leading industry job board with thousands of production listings
- FilmLocal: The website you’re reading right now!
Entertainment Careers: Lists PA positions across film, TV, and live events
Production Hub: A complete resource for all production roles
Backstage: Not just for actors, lists many crew positions
Facebook groups like “Film Production & Jobs” and “Paid Film/TV Production Jobs: Los Angeles Area”
Many PA gigs aren’t advertised publicly. Social media is a great way to get opportunities through industry connections.
The power of referrals and recommendations
Networking is the quickest way to land your first production PA job. Cornell says it well: “If someone is interested in PA work, they should let their friends and family in the area know that they are looking for work…. Opportunities often come from odd connections”.
Personal recommendations make a big difference in hiring decisions. “A person doesn’t need to be union, just recommended by someone who has a connection to whoever is hiring. Often when a post goes up on a hiring website there are so many people that apply, it’s the people with connections who get interviewed and potentially hired first”.
People without existing connections can volunteer on student films, attend industry workshops, or join PA training programs like “Made in NY” PA Training Program (NYC) or P.A. Boot Camp (L.A.). These opportunities help build your network and add experience to your resume.
More Filmmaking Articles
Skills That Make You Stand Out
A production assistant’s success depends on specific skills that set the best apart from the average. These abilities will make you better at your job and show decision-makers you’re ready to take on more responsibility.
Top production assistant skills to develop
The best production assistants have unique capabilities that make them great assets on set:
Organizational skills: You must know how to handle multiple tasks at once, keep paperwork in order, and track equipment.
Communication skills: Clear and direct verbal and written communication will give a smooth flow of information between departments.
Problem-solving abilities: Quick thinking and resourcefulness help you direct unexpected challenges that pop up during production.
Technical knowledge: Understanding equipment, camera gear, and production terminology helps you troubleshoot issues quickly.
Teamwork: Film production thrives on collaboration, you need to work well with others.
How to handle pressure and stay organized
The ever-changing environment of a film set needs excellent stress management skills. You should create reliable systems to track your responsibilities. Digital calendars, scheduling apps, or traditional planners help you prioritize tasks based on deadlines.
Good methods for managing paperwork and budget tracking will prevent crucial mistakes. You should assess priorities and speak up if you can’t handle everything at once.
“Being able to think under pressure, assess complex situations and devise creative solutions on the fly is essential,” notes one industry expert. Note that planning ahead and spotting needs before they arise makes the difference between reactive and proactive PAs.
Attitude and professionalism on set
Your attitude matters more than anything else, whatever the circumstances. “Production assistants with bad attitudes don’t last long,” explains Kaitlin Cornell from Marvel Entertainment. The industry values people who tackle basic tasks with the same enthusiasm as exciting ones.
Professional behavior means dressing right, caring for equipment and locations, and knowing set etiquette. You need resilience and adaptability because things change constantly in production environments, often without warning.
Note that filmmakers prefer assistants who ask questions to get things right instead of those who act like they know everything. Being eager to learn often matters more than what you already know.
From Set Runner to Set Leader: Growing Your Career
“You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks.” — George Lucas
Landing your first production assistant job is just the beginning. Your career path in the film industry ended up depending on strategic decisions you make after gaining original experience.
How to become a production assistant in Hollywood
The journey from entry-level PA to industry professional needs persistence and planning. Many successful filmmakers, including Bill Hader, Melissa McCarthy, Joel Coen, Cierra Glaude, and Rose Lagacé all started as production assistants. Hollywood’s advancement path typically starts with becoming a “staff PA” instead of remaining an “additional day player PA.”
Choosing a department to grow in
Experience helps you find which parts of production line up with your strengths. PAs who work hard know how to ask for assignments in departments where they can shadow and learn from industry professionals. This exposure to different departments helps you pinpoint your ideal role in the industry, whether that’s camera operation, art design, or post-production.
How to move from PA to higher roles
Career advancement from production assistant follows one of several paths:
The Assistant Director track requires you to accumulate 600 union Set PA days to qualify for the Director’s Guild of America (DGA). Office PAs can move up to assistant production coordinator, then to production manager. Former NBCUniversal vice chair Bonnie Hammer directed her career from production assistant to leadership roles across broadcast, cable, and streaming over four decades.
Key Takeaways
Breaking into Hollywood starts with understanding that the production assistant position is your strategic entry point, offering unparalleled exposure to every aspect of filmmaking while building crucial industry connections.
- Start as a PA for maximum industry exposure – Famous directors like Christopher Nolan and Kathleen Kennedy began as production assistants, gaining comprehensive knowledge across all departments.
- Expect demanding but rewarding work – PAs typically work 12-16 hour days earning $150-250 daily, but gain invaluable hands-on experience no film school can provide.
- Network strategically through referrals – Most PA gigs aren’t publicly advertised; leverage personal connections, social media groups, and industry platforms like Staff Me Up.
- Master essential skills that matter – Develop strong organizational abilities, communication skills, and maintain a positive attitude under pressure to stand out from other candidates.
- Plan your advancement pathway – Use PA experience to identify your preferred department, then pursue specialized roles like Key PA or advance to assistant production coordinator positions.
The production assistant role isn’t just a job, it’s your film school, networking opportunity, and career foundation all rolled into one demanding but transformative experience.
🎥 Advance Your Filmmaking Career Today
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, gain access to career-changing film education, exclusive courses, and mentorship opportunities with industry professionals.
By signing up, you agree to receive emails from FilmLocal. You may also receive relevant offers from trusted partners. Opt-out anytime. Privacy Policy
Ready to Become a PA?
A production assistant role means more than just an entry-level position in the film industry. This position is a complete education and serves as a launching pad that has created countless successful careers. Your trip will include demanding schedules, physical challenges, and difficult personalities at times, but these experiences are a great way to get insights you can’t find anywhere else.
You’ll need strategic planning and persistence to move forward. Your commitment to become skilled at organizing, communicating, solving problems, and keeping a positive attitude will make you stand apart from other PAs. Note that exceptional production assistants grow into exceptional leaders, whatever department ends up capturing your passion.
Your career path largely depends on the connections you build during these early experiences. Each coffee run, solved problem, and early morning call time builds your reputation in the industry. It also shows decision-makers that you understand filmmaking’s shared nature when you tackle any task with enthusiasm.
The production assistant position gives you a unique point of view of the filmmaking process. The pay might be modest and hours demanding, but all but one of these positions give you such complete exposure to every industry aspect. This foundation gives you practical knowledge to identify your strengths and pursue specialized roles confidently.
The path from set runner to set leader needs patience and strategic thinking. Many success stories show that today’s coffee-fetching PA could become tomorrow’s award-winning director or producer. Your Hollywood career starts with that first PA position – make every moment count.
While you’re at it, you should check out more of FilmLocal! We have plenty of resources, and cast and crew. Not to mention a ton more useful articles. Create your FilmLocal account today and give your career the boost it deserves!