The Complete Guide to Becoming a Production Assistant in Film and TV

Posted on: Sep 09, 2025

Photo Credit: iStock Photos // mediaphotos

By Brendan Fitzgibbons

If film and TV production is a giant machine, then the production assistant (PA) is the WD-40, (without that weird grease smell). They’re not the flashy part everyone sees, but they keep the whole thing running. A PA is the entry-level position on a film, TV or commercial set, and yes, it’s usually the first step to having a career in film or TV. It’s also the position where you can arguably get the most on-the-ground real-life experience, so you can cut your teeth and climb your way up the call sheet ladder.

Key Insights

PAs are essential — They may not be glamorous, but production assistants keep sets running smoothly by doing everything from coffee runs to coordinating call sheets.
It’s an entry point to the industry — Many filmmakers, producers, and directors started as PAs; the role is often the first stepping stone to long-term careers in film and TV.
Networking is as important as skills — Enthusiasm, reliability, and connections can matter more than prior experience when landing your first PA job.

Browse thousands of jobs and find your next gig! Sign up or login to Staff Me Up and get on-set today!

What is a Production Assistant (PA)?

Think of a PA as a Swiss Army knife or utility player in baseball — sometimes you’re in left field, sometimes you’re running to grab coffee, sometimes you’re blocking traffic with nothing but a neon vest, and sometimes someone actually might ask you if you have a Swiss Army knife. The job may not be glamorous, but it’s where everyone from directors to producers got their start.

What are the Key Responsibilities of a Production Assistant?

Every job matters on set, but few are more vital than the production assistant. Short answer for what a PA does: whatever needs to be done. Long answer: no seriously, literally whatever needs to be done. One minute you’re locking up a set and kindly asking random pedestrians not to photobomb the shot with their $19 smoothies, the next you’re distributing call sheets to everyone on set.

You’ll be running for coffee, batteries, walkie-talkies, and carrying enough duct tape to build a tape city. You’ll be basically acting as the point person for glue, caffeine, lifting heavy objects, and potentially a shoulder to cry on during the shoot. Being a PA could also mean running around with your hair on fire as you lend a hand to every department head, then spend the rest of the day on standby, which is just code for “look busy until someone starts screaming.”

You won’t get a standing ovation at wrap, but trust me — without you, the production doesn’t happen, which is also why you need to set clear boundaries and not let your position on the call sheet determine how you should be treated. You are valuable, dang it.

How Much Do Production Assistants Get Paid?

Like most jobs in the industry, this depends on the project, location and whether it’s union or non-union. On average, PAs make $150–$250 per day. Sometimes more if you’re on a bigger set, sometimes less if it’s an indie passion project where “payment” comes in the form of free pizza, “experience,” and you saying afterwards that you’re never going to work on an indie project again.

Here’s the good news: while the pay may start low, the connections you make are truly priceless. Many PAs quickly move up to be department assistants, coordinators and eventually, producers. It’s the classic “pay your dues” job, and the more effort you put in, the more people will remember you for future jobs.

What Skills Do You Need to Become a PA?

You don’t need a film degree from NYU or have the last name “Hemsworth.” What you do need are some basic survival skills. The most important is communication because you’re basically a human Slack channel, except you can’t be muted, which is a good thing. Then there’s organization, because you’ll be juggling scripts, call sheets and random gear like you’re Marie Kondo with a walkie. Problem-solving is key, since something will go wrong every day, and your job is to fix it without setting the craft services table on fire.

A positive attitude is huge too, because sets can be stressful. If you can still crack a smile while hauling 30 walkies on your back like a sherpa, you’re ahead of the game. And the most underrated skill of all? Stamina. You’ll be working long hours, lifting heavy stuff, and racking up more Fitbit steps than a Peloton instructor on a double espresso.

How to Get a Production Assistant Job With No Experience

Ahh the ole industry catch-22: “We want you to have experience. To get experience, you need experience.” Great. Thanks. So how do you land a PA gig with zero experience? Here’s the workaround: start with student films or indie projects, since they’re basically always begging for free or low-cost help. Next, hit up job boards like Mandy, Backstage and Staff Me Up, where thousands of PA jobs live and breathe.

Don’t sleep on networking either. If you know someone even remotely connected to the industry, let them know you’re ready to work; people love recommending a reliable PA. And finally, bring the enthusiasm. You might not know the difference between a C-stand and a mic stand yet, but if you’re eager and willing to learn, that energy goes a long way. Also, if someone asks you to PA and you are nervous because you’ve never done it, say “yes,” and figure it out later.

Where to Find Open Production Assistant Jobs Today

Well good news: you’ve come to the right place. Staff Me Up really is the go-to platform for production jobs. Thousands of listings are updated daily, and you can filter by location, experience level and type of production.

Keep your profile updated with every gig you do, no matter how small. One student short film can lead to a Netflix show faster than you think. And the next thing you know, you’ll be directing your own show someday, asking a PA to get you a coffee … in a really nice way.

Key Takeaways

Be ready for anything — A PA’s role is unpredictable and requires flexibility, stamina, and problem-solving on the fly.
Don’t wait for “experience” — Student films, indie projects, and platforms like Staff Me Up are the best way to get started, even with zero credits.
Focus on growth — The pay may be modest, but the real value comes from the relationships you build and the career paths that open up afterward.

Brendan Fitzgibbons is a comedy writer and actor living in Los Angeles. He’s written for Comedy Central, The Onion, NBC, HuffPost and Bravo. As an actor, he’s appeared on Comedy Central, MTV and “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” His podcast, “Spiritual As****e” was named a Top Indie Podcast by Stitcher.

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