If one desires to get into the film production or the commercial production business (or sometimes television production), the Production Assistant (PA) is a good entry position.

As the title implies PA’s do any and all jobs to help the production along. So, a great attitude is essential, as PA’s may often suffer the misdirected verbal abuse of directors and producers who are under a great deal of pressure. Filming is extremely expensive, so every minute is valuable. So, the PA’s must cheerfully be go-fers, chauffeurs, etc. In all those odd jobs, though, the PA’s can pick up a lot, and gather a great practical understanding of the production business.

Though PA’s work with production companies and not advertising agencies, the job is a first step into being a commercial producer for an agency. The PA’s who have a knack for numbers, organization and business will be able to help the producers with all the paperwork required. They may help work out the budgets, or tabulate receipts. This affords them the opportunity to understand the business side of production. In an advertising agency, they would be Assistant Producers, helping the Agency producers do the same “number-crunching” or budgeting. They would also help in the more creative details of production, such as supervising post-production.

Average Salary: $30,000
Average Hours (per week):

The limits of a shoot day are 12 hours… usually. Still, the PA is working before the shooting starts and long after it’s wrapped for the day. Pre-production usually consists of 12-hour days, too. Also, even though the crew gets a day off each week, the PA doesn’t.
Union:

Not for work with advertising agencies, but membership is required for most positions in the film industry.
Certifications:

Certification in project management is certain to help.
Training Period:

Though a bachelor’s degree is not required, most PA’s have some college education, with an emphasis on both the business sides as well as the communications/artistic/ technical sides, for those who would want to be advertising producers. However, the very definition of PA is on-the-job training. It may take three years to warrant responsibility as a producer, depending on a person’s organizational skills and ability to handle intense pressure.
Strongest Market(s):

Those who live in Los Angeles or New York (or Vancouver) have the advantage of being freelance PA’s and assistant producers for both agencies and film companies. In order to move up fast, one has to live where they make most of the commercials.
Entry Level Salary: $22,000. Almost all of your meals are paid for by the company.
Top Salary: $35,000
Job Growth Forecast:
Job growth of 12 percent is the general expectation for producers, writers, directors, and the production business in general.

Related posts:

1. Advertising Broadcast Producer
2. Advertising Executive Producer
3. Print Production Manager
4. Advertising Account Executive
5. Marketing Assistant (or Coordinator)