What's the protocal for this?

H

HomerS3

Active member
Alright, I have submitted a resume to a production office in order to attempt to land a PA position on an upcoming studio production.

In fact, I have a contact inside the studio who has personally passed my resume along to the producer who has, in turn, passed it to the production office. Complicated, but stay with me.

This position would literally be a dream job for me (big time film) and I have a question for those in the crowd here who may have been through this process.

I have yet to receive a phone call about the resume. It is possible that they are simply not to that point in the process, but the resume was received by the producer early this past week. So here is the question: Should I place a call to the production office to see if they have had a chance to look the resume over? Is that considered an annoyance or is it commonplace for those trying to land the job on set?

Any advice would be greatly appreciate... and wish me luck!
 
PAs are so plentiful and such a low end position that I doubt you'll ever get a call about your resume. A big film might have 50 of them doing various odd jobs. They'll probably just tell you when to show up.
 
How far out of a production does that usually take place? (telling PAs to show up)

It would seem from your post that you don't think calling the Production office would have any impact. Correct?
 
Well homer, my breadth of experience hiring PAs really comes from the ultra low budget filmmaking zone. I've produced and directed 35 mm and HD, and hired many PAs over the years. Most were hired on a recommendation - I don't think I have ever beheld a PA resume. Most were hired about two to three weeks before the start of filming, because you need to have people block out the days. Some were hired mere days before out of desperation or a crewmember quitting.

I have done some mainstream studio pics in the past. The last one I was on was about a $22 million film, had two A-listers in it, and a big crew. I wasn't in touch with the production office on that one (although the UPM was a good buddy), so I don't know how they hired their PAs. I suspect that it is much the same though....all recomendations, and probably hired a little further in advance since big pics tend to be a little more organized.

I also want to stress that I don't think you'd ever get a call to discuss the resume since there is nothing a PA needs to do that is so critical that it should be drawn up on a resume. They'll probably just give you a call time and ask you to be there. Follow me here...you won't be touching the lights (that's electric), moving C-stands or unloading the truck (that's grip), setting up sets (art / production dept), applying makeup or wardrobe....so what you will be doing is everything NOT covered by dedicated crew.

You'll be the responsibility of a first or second (or second second if it is a big enough pic) AD who will tell you what to do, such as herding extras, gofering, and running errands.

When are they filming? Let me know and I'll try to give you appropriate advice.
 
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Production has been slated for August. No specific date as of yet.
However, for the sake of the discuss, let's assume they schedule to begin on the 15th (I have reason to believe it will be toward the end of the month...)

I appreciate the insight and any further advice you can offer up!

My issue is that if this job were to come through, I will actually skip this coming semester of college in order to be there. Unfortunately, though, it sounds as if PAs are called at the last possible minute. That is why I thought that giving them a call may give me an indication or confirmation of my status.
 
Then by all means call them. Ask to speak with the UPM or Line Producer and they can fill you in. I think you're early, but you do have a good reason to call and find out.
 
ask your friend to check in on it. also make the call, everyone wants a job, but many don't want to work, show them you're didicated, make them know you'll work hard. PA is great grunt work, and I mean work, so show some gumption.

Jason
 
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