#office pa

[p-a-nation]

Literally any time I have to connect to the printer in a new office

[rachelllsays]

I never watched Gilmore Girls but I worked on this new revival season and so I’m very excited to watch this week and also I don’t even know the last 4 words and how it ends because the scripts that were distro-ed to everyone on the show were not the real, filmed ending because Amy was that worried about leaks and so I don’t want spoilers!!!!!

[pabootcamp-blog-blog]

[productionprobs]

WHEN I PREP FOR A SHOOT WITHOUT A COORDINATOR OR OFFICE PA

[thejanicelee]

Things no one tells you about being an office PA:

You are taking care of an office filled with children who are older than you.

[unemployedonpurpose]

The Search for the Perfect Trail Mix

I started a freelance office PA job this week. So far, I’ve encountered:

- No fewer than three taxidermied woodland mammal heads

- A wall of disembodied antlers, painted yellow, installed in the shape of a lightbulb

- The most complicated, user-unfriendly stapler I have ever met

- Mint leaves, as the main ingredient in a salad

- A bank where customers must enter one at a time through a secure airlock-type entryway that made me feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, and therefore extremely tense

- Carbon-copy paperwork that reminded me of my old job

- A gigantic portrait of Danny McBride as Napoleon on a horse, which I believe to be the actual prop from a K-Swiss commercial

- An overheard phone conversation regarding approval for a peacock permit

- A delightful British man named Florian

In just a week, I’ve learned a lot about live action… and one producer’s very particular preferences when it comes to Trader Joe’s trail mix.

Producer: “Holly, do you know the difference between an almond and a walnut?”

Me: “Yes.”

Producer: “Wonderful. You would not believe how many PAs cannot identify either. I implore you, do not bring back anything with walnuts.”

I’m starting to remember what it's like to work all day. After months of the rise-at-noon, stay-at-home schedule, I’m now expected to get up and be somewhere at 9am, then stay there until after the sun sets. People ask me to make copies, assemble packets, fetch their lunches, clean their dishes, Google things for them. And, honestly, I don’t mind any of it so far. Some hours I’m busy, stuffing envelopes or driving to pick up food. Others, I’m bored, staring at the clock (or the Danny McBride portrait). Luckily, I have my laptop, so I work on my novel between assigned tasks. Basically, it’s not that bad. Having a job is not that bad.

Of course, maybe this one will get worse and I’ll hate it. OR maybe it’ll be surprisingly great and I don’t even know it yet. Maybe it’s my life’s calling. Maybe my other job was simply not The One, and that’s why I had to break up with it.

I'm starting to believe that a job is meant to be a balanced mix of interesting pieces, but you have to try different kinds to find the combination you like. The more you taste, the more you'll know, like which are your favorite ingredients. You want a mix that’s healthy, but still tastes delicious. It should satiate a craving and give you fuel to carry on. If you like candy, but accept the fact that the world won’t let you eat it all day long, it's okay; look for an option that includes chocolate chips. If you really hate walnuts, just stay away from those sons of bitches altogether. But keep looking, stay hungry, and open your mind.

Then, hopefully, one glorious day, you'll find the trail mix of your dreams. And by that point, you'll be the boss, and you can send an office PA to Trader Joe’s to get it for you.

[writerofscreen]

Well not really free. But I can highly recommend her. She has experience on set as a 2nd Ad on a feature and as a PA on features like Mercy. She has experience as a Producer's Assistant with Film Independent and L.A. Film Festival. She's great in the office- professional, on time and she can talk to anyone from A-list to ordering lunch. She knows how to keep the crazies at bay and keep things running smoothly. Her goal is to be a TV writer and she's looking for office work that may be a bottom or even lateral step in that direction like Office PA, but she's also great as a 2ND AD. No job is too small and she does everything from research to stocking the fridge with the same dedication. If you need an assistant or PA with industry experience, excellent people skills and a serious work ethic contact Rosie at [email protected] Rosie on Twitter Rosie on IMDB And I will grant you tons of karma if you reblog or retweet or pass this on in any way!