Getting It Done

by Friedman, Joshua A.

• ISBN13: 9781932907889
• ISBN10: 1932907882
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions

Summary

A Production Assistant job could be your ENTRY TICKET to Hollywood. This book provides everything you need to learn to get the job and become an indispensible player on the set. Friedman describes the PA's skill set in easy to understand, step-by-step sections drawn from real-life experiences. This information cannot be found in any other book. The secrets that are normally learned through trial and error are shared for the first time in this book, saving you the embarrassment of failure and offering you a fast track to professional success. Only a fool would enter a film set without having first read this production manual. There is no faster way up the ladder than being prepared and no faster way out the door than by screwing up. This manual was created by a working PA as a tutorial for those starting out, or a reference guide for seasoned filmmakers. Getting It Done offers information on the many departments involved in a film production, the day-to-day operations of the set, the paperwork involved, and much more. This is the book that will get you started and keep you working at your very best.

Author Biography

Joshua A. Friedman is a sought-after working Production Assistant in New York City. In the last three years, he's worked on Law Order: Criminal Intent, Fringe, Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, Kings, and 30 Rock, as well as many feature films including The Taking of Pelham 123, The Adjustment Bureau, The Beaver, It's Kind of a Funny Story, My Idiot Brother, and Violet Daisy.

Table of Contents

The People	p. 1
Production Department	p. 1
Unit Production Manager	p. 2
Assistant Directors	p. 3
Production Assistants	p. 6
Key PA	p. 6
1st Team PA	p. 10
Background PA	p. 15
Walkie PA	p. 22
DGA/Paperwork PA	p. 24
Additional PAs	p. 30
Working Crews	p. 32
Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe	p. 32
Locations	p. 34
Props	p. 37
Sound	p. 38
Camera	p. 40
Electrics & Grips	p. 44
Scenic	p. 47
Set Dressing	p. 47
Script Supervisor	p. 49
Craft Services	p. 51
Transportation	p. 53
Production Office	p. 54
Production Office Coordinator	p. 57
Ass't Production Office Coordinator	p. 59
Production Secretary	p. 60
Office PAs	p. 60
A Day in the Life	p. 61
The On-Set Experience	p. 63
Working On-Set	p. 64
Rehearsal Process	p. 64
Walkie Etiquette	p. 66
Lockups	p. 70
Interacting with Talent	p. 72
Second Unit	p. 74
Photo Shoots	p. 74
Moving Vehicles	p. 76
Types of Workdays	p. 79
The Paperwork	p. 83
Call Sheet	p. 84
Production Report	p. 89
Schedule	p. 95
Time Cards	p. 96
Petty Cash	p. 101
Tips and Things to Know	p. 105
Things to Know Before You Get to Set	p. 105
Prep	p. 106
How to Read a Script	p. 116
Things to Know on-Set	p. 122
Equipment & Gear	p. 122
Camera Shots	p. 123
Trucks	p. 124
Coffee vs. Cappuccino vs. Lattes	p. 132
Gambling on-Set	p. 133
How to Get A Job	p. 139
Types of Jobs	p. 140
Pa Rates & Perks	p. 144
Resume	p. 146
Getting a Job	p. 148
The PA Ladder	p. 150
Wrapping Up	p. 153
Appendices
Timing Chart	p. 155
Prep	p. 157
Paperwork	p. 164
Paperwork Survival Guide	p. 172
Unions	p. 176
Union Contracts & Paperwork	p. 178
Glossary of Terms	p. 179
About the Author	p. 189
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