#set pa

[loveisonlyforthebrave8]

Well shit, seeing my name up on the big screen for the first time is a literal dream come true. And what a first movie to be credited on. Excuse me whilst I cry and scream and flail and cry some more.

[p-a-nation]

Male PA: “Here, let me carry that for you.”

[loveisonlyforthebrave8]

Hi, sorry if this is too personal ignore otherwise but I read your tags on the Barbie post and I'm just curious: what is it that you actually do usually or did when it comes to this movie?

Not too personal at all. I work as part of the assistant directors team. My job title is Set PA (which is basically a fancy title for 'runner'). Mainly our job is to help run the floor.

We mainly assist the cast in whatever way they need, whether that's making sure they get checked by HMU (hair&makeup) and costume before they shoot. Making sure they get food and drinks topped up throughout the day, helping to travel them to and from set. But aside from the cast, a large part of my job is to look after the people who run the floor, like the director (if they don't already have an assistant), the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assistant directors and sometimes the script supervisor (who, all of the above, often find it difficult to leave set during the shoot day).

We also help keep everyone quiet during takes by locking off the area closest to where we're shooting, and letting people in that area know when we're rolling, we do an abundance of tea and coffee runs, and we liase heavily with all other departments.

And that's kinda my job in a nutshell.

[loveisonlyforthebrave8]

First day at Pinewood Studio, smashed it, mate.

[thedadologist]

It’s a long road ahead. I’m excelling at the begininng stages of my career. The Set PA work is pouring in. However, I am not going to PA forever. Who would want to do that? 

I eventually want to have creative control over things. I want to collabrate, and write, and direct. As of right now I am following in the path to become an AD (Assistant Director), and getting into the Directors Guild is what i’m working towards. Once entering said guild, the work becomes harder to get as an AD. And I don’t want to AD forever, this is merely a stepping stone. I just interviewed for another pilot that would take me into mid- January. And after that, I want to drive out to LA and spend time out there. I don’t want all my resources to be solely in Atlanta. 

What I’m wondering is how to make that jump to the creative side of the business. Anyone have any insight on that?

[pabootcamp-blog-blog]

[thedadologist]

I have about 3 weeks left of my dream job (for now, hopefully) the season wraps soon. These past 5 months have been so surreal I can't even fathom it all. I am always completely overwhelmed by how graciously people have accepted me into this family. How this little town in the middle of nowhere Georgia has felt like home. How I get to work on the best show on television and call it a "job" I have grown very attached to so many people here. I love spending 16+ hour days with them. Everyone loves each other, and it's such a unique environment to be in. This show puts you through hell, and you will earn your stripes when you're done with it. 

A year ago, I threw weekly parties to watch this show. I obsessed over it (still do, really). But now I get to see it in a whole new way. I get to know the people who create this literal and figurative monster. And the amount of things I've learned since day one is enormous. 

I still have a lot of growing to do, but this place, these people, have become the foundation of my career. This is where my first baby steps happened.