This article guides you on the duties, responsibilities, eligibility of an assistant to apply in an organization. It also has information on a production assistant’s requirements and skills.
Production Assistant Jobs Report
Production assistant jobs are entry-level jobs in the film production industry or career.
It is the first step if you want to have a long career in film and movies production including Nollywood, Hollywood, and Bollywood.
When you work as a production assistant, you get to know the various departments in a movie set and you can get hired in those departments.
PAs performs a variety of duties throughout the production set and is bounced between departments that need an extra hand. PAs do the jobs that no one else in a movie production set wants to do.
Some of these jobs include:
- Organizing food for the production set
- Photocopying movie scripts and handing them to respective owners
- Sorting out paperwork like contracts and scripts
- Controlling fans and crowds at the production set
- Answering phone calls
- Transporting casts and crews tone locations
- Managing background actors
- Cleaning up the set
- Taking coffee and food orders
Don’t let these odd jobs fool you, there is some glory attached to being a production assistant.
At the very least, you have bragging rights to movies still on set and you get to see your celebrity crushes.
Skills Requirements of Production Assistants
It is really easy to get a production assistant job because it is an entry-level position and requires at least one year of experience.
Certain skills are needed to qualify an applicant as a production assistant; they are:
- Responsibility
PAs are very easily replaced in a production set so you must be hardworking and responsible for tasks assigned to you.
Try as much as possible to come early and don’t be lazy or a grouch at work.
- Social Skills
Working in the film industry, you get to meet some eccentric personalities even in the production sets.
As a PA, you need to be extra kind, nice, polite, and hospitable. You need to also have confidence in yourself and your abilities in case a director tries to bully you.
You will need to put yourself out, attend networking events, go for production parties and movie nights to create a reliable network for future positions to move ahead in your career.
You need to be a social butterfly.
- Willingness to learn
As a PA, you should not be a problem in the film production process. Try to learn about every job without getting in the way of the production process.
Be open-minded, ready to learn in whatever task that is assigned to you.
- Patience
The production assistant job is an entry-level to the film industry, remember this as you make deliveries or run errands. Just do your best to improve and grow and you will be offered better positions in the industry.
- Good Listener
For you to be a really good production assistant, you need to be a good listener.
The director would not like to repeat themselves while giving you directions or assigning tasks so you need to listen and pay attention.
Educational Requirements of Production Assistant
Production assistant jobs do not require an educational background or qualification.
The minimum level of education needed is a high school diploma or WAEC.
But to be ahead of other applicants, you should have a bachelor’s degree in courses like theater, television and film production, communications, graphic design, or costume design.
You should also be good with Microsoft applications, web-based applications, and email.
Remember that the PA job is a stepping stone and you can get better positions from there. You can also take up side jobs like working for your university radio station, local television stations or sign up in drama clubs around you.
You can also participate in production assistant boot camps to learn more about the movie industry business and how working in a production set is like to know what to expect.
If you do these, it will help expand your horizons film industry and you will be able to handle different positions.
Salary For Production Assistant Jobs
Production assistant jobs are usually temporary and short-term.
PAs are usually paid weekly, all depending on the job and your level of experience and qualification.
Be prepared to work long hours, nights, and weekends as a production assistant because your schedule automatically is tied to the production schedule.
The average time of work hours as a production assistant daily is about 10-12 hours daily.
Even if you are working on a big movie set, your income is based on the projects you carry out.
In this job, the main advantage is the experience and the networking with industry professionals.
Types Of Production Assistant Jobs
Generally, there are three types of production assistant jobs:
- Field Production Assistant
This production assistant works on sets during shoots of movies or films or series. They are the on-field workers and are assigned to a specific department.
- Office Production Assistant
This production assistant works in the production office and performs clerical work including handling the paperwork involved in a movie.
- Postproduction Assistant
This production assistant helps the professionals who organize and finish a movie project after they are done filming.
Assistant Job Description Template
Assistants can work for different businesses across industries to support the organization’s workers and managers.
Assistants are a vital part of any organization. Office assistants and secretaries are related in the fact that their role is to support the staff members and make sure everything in the organization runs smoothly.
As an assistant, you will work with professionals in an office setting including the managers and other heads of departments within the organization.
Assistants report to the managers to receive tasks and provide administrative support to the organization. They also indirectly report to workers in the organization for odd errands and duties.
For you to apply for assistant jobs, you will need to be able to undertake a variety of support tasks and to work properly even under pressure.
Odd jobs that you may have to perform as an assistant are:
- Answering and transferring phone calls
- Running errands
- Photocopying documents
- Take and distribute minutes from a meeting
- Taking inventory of office supplies
Duties And Responsibilities Of An Assistant
An assistant is responsible for keeping the office supplied and organized. This involves a lot of small duties like typing but overall the responsibilities are essential.
Assistants are responsible for:
- Clerical tasks such as sorting files and typing
- Organizing the office and assisting co-workers
- Schedule and plan appointments and meeting
- Resolve office-related malfunctions
- Reception duties when needed
- Monitor level of supplies
- Providing visitor required information
Required Skills And Qualifications For An Assistant Job
For your application as an assistant to be accepted, there are some basic skills and qualifications you need to have; they are:
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Time management skills
- Organizational skills
- Flexibility and prioritizing skills
- Ability to operate office equipment
- Experience as an office assistant or an administrative role
- High school diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Advanced computer skills
- Attention to minor or major details
In conclusion, there are different types of assistant jobs and production assistant jobs available. As long as you are qualified and you meet the requirements then you can apply.
Have a great day.