Post Production Assistant: The First Day

Alyssa at TV-AE.com
Oct 16, 2022
2 min read

Congratulations! You've Been Hired as a Post PA. Learn About Your First Day.

You did it. You made it through the interview process and you're about to begin your first day as a post production assistant on a TV show or feature film. Congratulations!

Now what?

Things to Bring

You'll need to bring a few items to your first day. The most important thing is a form of identification. You'll need this in order to get paid, so don't forget it.

Also bring a laptop, if you have one.

Put your supervisor's phone number in your phone. If you get lost or are locked out of the office when you arrive, you'll know who to call.

For a comprehensive list, check out our downloadable pdf below:

What to Wear

This is a creative industry and your outfits don't need to be bland, but they do need to be professional. Professional in this case means: not revealing, and no swear words on your clothing.

Offices can be cold, so bring layers. You might want a sweatshirt or sweater: something you can remove when you venture into the hot LA sun.

As a Post PA, you'll be doing a lot of fetching and carrying, so wear shoes that will support you throughout the day. Stick to sneakers and flats.

Be Prompt

There's an old phrase that still resonates:

On-time is late, early is on-time, and late is unacceptable.

Traffic happens! Give yourself an extra 20 minutes in case you get caught up in a red zone.

If your office is on a lot (especially the Universal or WB lot), plan to arrive there with lots of time to spare. As a PA, they'll put your car in a far-away lot and you'll need that extra time to walk to the office. It can be a 15-minute walk. Give yourself time to get lost, course correct, and find where you need to be. This is especially important if this is your first time on that lot.

Be Friendly and Keep a Good Attitude

I know, I know. This advice feels basic and a bit condescending. However - it's incredibly necessary. It's hard to stay friendly when you're stressed, but it might mean the difference between a promotion and not being asked back next season.

Say good morning (with a smile) to your team every morning.

Accept tasks with grace and not groans.

If you're out of tasks, ask for more work right away.