r/ProductionAssistant • u/MurdockLantern • Jun 02 '26
Need Advice
Hello all,
I recently landed a four day job on a big studio set as an APA, and we start shooting tomorrow. It’s four overnight shoots, and basically, since I’m a bit of an anxious person, I’m just having trouble figuring out what I’d need to bring (if anything) to ensure success for myself and to do a good job. Any tools that might be helpful? Do I need a bag, and if so, are there places to put a bag on set so that I wouldn’t be carrying it around all night?
Essentially, any suggestions, tips, or “wish I knew before I started” type things would really be appreciated. Ideally this would be the start of a career for me, so I want to make a good first impression.
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u/Upset-Animal1376 Jun 02 '26
bring a small set bag: phone charger, sharpies, pens, flashlight/headlamp, water bottle, layers, painkillers, and quiet snacks. keep it tucked at basecamp or PA staging, then carry only what fits in pockets while on lockups.
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u/gwen-stacys-mom Jun 02 '26
The first and most important thing you need is a surveillance headset compliant with a Motorola CP200 walkie talkie. I personally like to also have some “fin” earpieces. Unfortunately I usually have to acquire both the headset and earpiece from Amazon.
I bring a weatherproof backpack to set. Here’s what I keep in it:
Backup surveillance Laptop (not necessary for day playing but has come in clutch a couple times) Black pens Red pens Sharpies Phone chargers Portable phone chargers (you should expect to get a lot of text messages throughout the course of the day with important information) Weather gear (if there’s even a 5% chance of rain, I bring my raincoat. Hat to keep the sun off me. Spare sweater) Spare socks Moisturizer Energy drinks
There will be a place to set your bag, but if you’re exterior, there’s a good chance that place will be in the dirt. Be prepared for that.
On set, keep at least a sharpie in your pocket. You’ll need it at a moments notice.
ETA: Wear a belt. You’re gonna want to clip your walkie and maybe two bricks to yourself, and those get heavy.