Keys to the Production Office: Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film & Television

by Jennifer A. Haire, Gilana M. Lobel

Overview

Opening a door to the real behind-the-scenes of a film or television show, this book explores the reality of working in the Production Office as an Office Production Assistant. Drawing on over 40 years’ combined experience, authors Jennifer A. Haire and Gilana M. Lobel map out a career path into the industry by providing comprehensive practical information designed specifically for individuals pursuing the entry level role of the Office PA.

An invaluable tool for both breaking into the industry and on the job, the book is full of detailed "how to" information that not only provides an overview of the full scope of the industry, but also functions as a user’s manual for Production Office operations. Haire and Lobel outline variations of the job of an Office PA nationwide, for both big- and small-budget feature films and television shows, and how you are a vital component of the Production team which can open the door to your future career. With coverage on how the Office PA supports the process of creating a show, the Production staff and crew, the practical day-to-day of the office, and developing your career, this is an essential resource for anyone wishing to take their first steps into the film and television industry. Featuring charts, graphics, diagrams, sample documents, templates, supplemental materials, and lighthearted cartoons throughout the book, the reader is immersed in real-world'scenarios which create a solid foundation for how to be a professional in the workplace.

This is an inspiring and practical manual that reveals what is beyond the behind-the-scenes of film and television production. It’s ideal for aspiring film and TV professionals with little to no experience working in Physical Production as well as readers studying film and television production courses and industry training programs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032180984
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/29/2022
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jennifer A. Haire is a Line Producer and DGA Production Manager with global feature film and television experience. Proud to be a "Fighting Pickle," she earned her BFA in filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Her commitment to the industry includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America, IATSE Local 871, and launching international Production crew training and Production safety education workshops.

Gilana M. Lobel is a New York based Producer and DGA Production Manager. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking, her experience with the Production Office comes from working on major feature films and television shows in various capacities. She is dedicated to telling diverse stories and creating a more inclusive work environment by collaborating with numerous organizations to encourage upward mobility in the film and television industry.

Table of Contents

Dedication ix

Authors' Preface x

Introduction xii

1 You Are Here 1

Phases of a show 1

Where are you? 3

Production Hubs 3

Production Office vs. On-Set 5

Nuances of production hubs 7

Crew structure and management 8

Keys to section 1 12

2 Welcome to the Production Office 13

The production staff 14

Office Staff Responsibilities 18

Who's the Boss? 19

What the Production Office Does.… 20

Why the Production Office Is Necessary 22

The Production Pyramid 23

Keys to Section 2 24

3 Unlocking the Role of the Office PA 25

Responsibilities of the office PA 25

How Long Is the Job of an Office PA? 27

The production office cycles 29

Prep Film → Wrap → Repeat 30

Working Hours 31

Job Skills and Tools 33

The Production Crew 33

"On" and "Off" Production Departments 34

Keys to section 3 35

4 Making It Happen, Behind the Scenes 37

Production office setup and wrap 37

Furniture and Workspace 37

Office Machines 38

File Storage 39

Keys 39

Office Supplies 39

First Aid 39

Vendor Services 40

Distribution 40

Office Signage 42

Craft Services Setup 43

Parking, Public Transportation, and Production Vehicles 44

Production filing 44

Production File Labels 45

Digital workflows 47

Document distribution 48

Hard Copy Distribution 49

Electronic Distribution 51

Tracking and Managing Document Distribution 53

Office operations 57

Office Equipment 57

Runs 59

Meetings, Greetings, and Scouts 65

That's Lunch! 70

Craft Services 74

Research 76

The AD Kit 78

Script revisions and sides 79

Revisions 79

Script Collating 81

Sides 82

Daily checklist 86

Basic accounting 91

Purchase Orders 91

Petty Cash/Purchasing Cards (P-Card) 93

Check Requests 95

Supporting cast and crew travel 98

Keys to section 4 102

5 Turning the Page on Production Paperwork 103

From the script to the film set (via paperwork) 105

Contact lists 106

Schedules 107

Scripts 114

Reporting documents 115

Post production/editorial needs 118

Financial 119

Other 121

Keys to section 5 122

6 Mastering the Art of Workplace Performance 123

Impressions and perceptions 123

Ask questions. Take notes. 124

Listening and communicating 125

Initiative and follow through 128

Being one step ahead 129

Office etiquette 131

Phone etiquette 133

How to Give Good Phone 134

Cell Phones and Texting 138

Appropriate vs. not appropriate 138

Professional code of conduct 140

Keys to section 6 143

7 Reel Life, Unhinged 144

To freelance or not to freelance 144

Getting paid 145

PA Pay Rates 145

Start Paperwork 146

Unemployment 150

On the job 151

Safeguards 151

Day 1 / Your First Day 154

Lessons Learned on the Job 155

Climbing the pyramid 158

Inspirational Stories 161

Unions and guilds 162

Keys to section 7 164

8 Responsibile Production Initiatives 165

Production Safety 165

Types of Safety Plans 166

Production Safety and You 168

Employer Responsibilities 170

Pandemic Safety 174

Harassment and discrimination 174

Harassment 174

Discrimination 176

Green production initiatives 176

Keys to section 8 179

9 The Big Screen vs. The Small Screen 180

Production patterns and schedules 180

Release platforms and schedules 187

PA work lifespan on a show 189

Keys to section 9 191

10 Where Your Story Begins 192

Networking 192

Other job search tips 194

You don't know what you don't know 196

Internships 197

Educational Programs 198

Mentors 199

Landing the job 199

The Resume 199

Your Online Presence 201

The Interview 201

Competition 203

Referrals and recommendations 204

Keys to section 10 205

Conclusion 206

Coordinator Corner 208

Acknowledgments 210

Appendix 212

A.1 Crew List 213

A.2 Office Supply List 228

A.3 Production File Organization Chart 229

A.4 Day File Labels 230

A.5 Production File Labels 231

A.6 Mileage Log 232

A.7 Script Title Page 233

A.8 Script Revisions 234

A.9 Phone Activity: Answering Common Calls 238

Glossary 246

Index 254

Editorial Reviews

"Every line producer and UPM should read this book and keep it as a reference. It covers "soup to nuts" about production dept infrastructure. Schools that teach filmmaking should make this mandatory reading. This is what’s under-the-hood of the car. With our industry growing so fast, we are faced with more people in key positions with less mentored experience. Even for an experienced soul like myself, it’s a great resource."
Cleve Landsberg, Producer & DGA UPM

"This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in entering the film and television industry. The information divulged in this text is incredibly thorough and accessible. It is written with both advice from experts and foresight to prevent mistakes. This book needs to be in the back pocket of all recent film school graduates and those entering the ‘industry.’"
Jim Peterson, Director of Theatre and Film, Carmel High School and Adjunct Professor, Ball State University

From the Publisher