Sound Guys first gig as a PA, pointers?

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Droog

Well-known member
Ok so you are probobly going to call this a step down but I am excited for it. I am a sound guy and have been for a few years, but I took a job as a PA on a shoot this weekend.

I was wondering if any one can give me some good pointers or some heads up as to what to expect. PA's are usually the people who get me a bottle of water on the set so I am really not sure what it all entails. Its going to be a bit more of a run and gun shoot, but thats all I really know right now. My plan is to show up and basically be at the mercy of the Producer and camera ops. It may be that my role is that of an AC as well, so would it be out of line to be packen gaff and paper tape, pens, gels and what have you?

Thanks everybody.
 
Some thoughts.

Stay close to the 2nd AD and you'll always remain busy. There's always something that can be done. If you're standing there for over a minute, then you're not doing your job. Sounds whack, but it's true. I've been on some of the best sets around lately and I've met some great PA's, and some not so great PA's. The difference between the two are simple. A strong PA keeps moving, keeps a strong attitude and always offers assistance wherever he/she can.

It's a thankless, grueling position but I've seen the best PA's get noticed and climb the food chain quickly. There's nothing worse than a PA hanging out by crafty doing nothing, with a bad attitude. You're part of the film and are an important part of the process, act that way.

Be the first to arrive and last to go, trust me, someone will notice.

Good luck.
 
Great, thanks for that. Good point about the 2nd AD, though it may be that there are no AD's at all, but I'll stay close to DP/Camera OP, which should work out because he got me the gig. I think all will be well, I am not flat footed and I enjoy being Johnny on the Spot.
 
If you're nuzzled up with the DP, you wont be doing much, and that doesn't look good. He has grips/electric to take care of his needs. Stay close to whomever has control of delegating tasks. If you have no AD, who is running the set? If it's a real low-budget deal, then sure, I guess the DP could use you to help with lighting, it all depends.

Good luck. :)
 
Well, the impression that I am getting is that it is more of a docu type shoot and not a drama, no real set to speak of, more run and gun. Typically when I have done sound on shoots like this its pretty much a Producer flown in from LA and local crew, usually camera,sound and possibly a gaffer/grip/AC and the PA picks up the slack. What do you think would be best in this kind of set up? Also, I could be totally wrong, I will get all my details wednesday apparantly.

What you are saying about sticking to your AD's makes total sense, I am just not sure that its going to be the case this time around. And yeah the DP has got numerous resourses.
 
From my days as a PA, the best advice I can give you is to always stay one step ahead of everyone else. Anticipate what they'll need before they have to ask for it. They'll really appreciate it and you'll be far more likely to get hired again.
 
I agree with horse, stay ahead of the game. From your last response, being a small doc type shoot makes a difference. With a small crew like that just be sure to assist anyway you can, so staying close to everyone is the best bet, I'm sure you'll do great. The fact that you're in here asking questions in order to prepare shows your work ethic is already stronger than 90% of the PA's out there.
 
Yeah, I like A Clockwork Orange, Why?

Just kidding. :laugh: I like jargon and Kubrick used a lot in the film, borrowed from the book of course. I use this handle often and rarely do people ever comment or seem to know where it comes from.

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. I think I will be cool on the shoot. Basically I will be a grunt and I have a sneaking suspicion that I am getting hired as a PA but I will end up covering sound, but this way I don't get paid as much. I need the $$ though so oh well, we'll see.
 
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