Student P.A.

[Tanner Field]

Hey guys,
I'm a student in Chicago currently, and we have a good number of big Hollywood productions come through the city. I desperately want to be a P.A. on some of these shoots, but am not really sure of how to go about making it happen. We have a big production that I just found out will be filming at the end of April, and I really want to get on that shoot. I was wondering if anyone with experience could shine some light onto the best way to go about contacting the production to get on as a P.A.?
Thanks for all the help!
-Tanner

 

[Curtis Abbott]

Tanner,

Contact the Chicago film office. They usually have contact information for the productions in town. That's how it is here in Pittsburgh.

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/.../special_events/mose/chicago_film_office.html

 

[DRappazzo]

I was just about to advise the same thing. Contacting your local film office is a great place to start. I was able to get in on a few big productions that way when I first started as a P.A. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Tanner Field]

Thanks a lot guys! I will give them a call right after the holidays. I don't know why I didn't think to start there. I was going to give the New Line office a call... I was really dreading the run-a-round I was going to get from there... I'm really getting excited about this prospect... so thanks for all the help!

 

[Tanner Field]

Alright so one step down and a few more to go! I got the email address to send my resume, but I was just wondering if you guys had any hint/tips for cover letters/resumes for a student trying to get a PA position? Sorry if this is a stupid question... I'm just new to the world of these opportunities and big productions and don't want to blow it haha
Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[Kingslea Bueltel]

Hey Tanner, this is from the TX Film Commission page, but it should apply to you, too. Hope it helps and kudos on being a go-getter!

http://governor.state.tx.us/film/resources/your_first_resume/

 

[Eric S.]

Thanks Kingslea! That was a great resource.

 

[Tanner Field]

Hey Tanner, this is from the TX Film Commission page, but it should apply to you, too. Hope it helps and kudos on being a go-getter!

http://governor.state.tx.us/film/resources/your_first_resume/

Wow! You are amazing! This is just what I was hoping for.
Thanks so much!
-Tanner

btw... you're "location" is where I have always dreamt of living!

 

[Tanner Field]

Hey everyone,
So with all of your guys help I have gotten all the information I need to apply for this job. I am currently working hard on refining my resume, but I was just wondering if anyone who had had experience with these type of big budget productions knew anything about the time frame of hiring P.A.s (specifically set) The production starts on April 27th, so am I going to be too late applying for this show? Or do they typically hold off hiring the P.A. workers till closer to production? or does it really just depend?
Thanks so much everyone!

 

[DRappazzo]

I would just get your resume in as soon as possible. In my expereince with larger productions, it seems as if day players are almost always needed on a rotating basis. Best of luck.