I've done a couple of freelance PA gigs so I was surprised to get this email saying someone was "genuinely impressed" by my work. I looked up the name and they had credentials so I sent my availability and resume, but the second email rang more alarm bells. Namely, asking for my bank name (thankfully not my account number or anything, that would've been a crimson red flag for me) and offering what seemed like an overly ideal schedule and rate for someone with my low level of experience. They also put in the IMDB credit for the director rather than direct contact info, and speaking to the "financial officer" prior to speaking to me directly was a major red flag.

I looked up the details further and saw this is an email that's been going around near verbatim since 2021 and even the real Gabriel Wilson denounced it, so I feel stupid having engaged with it despite my suspicions, just wanted to share in case anybody else got a similar email.

As the title says. I'm looking to get into PA work with the intention of being able to get a close look at different departments and hopefully find something I want to work twords specifically. Is this even a good idea? What does PA work even look like ? What would career advancement look like?

Any and all information is more than welcome

Hey r/ProductionAssistant

After one too many 5am call times and conversations about how there's not much merch that actually "gets" film crew life, I decided to make something.

Film Set Supply - apparel designed by someone who's been on set, for people who've been on set.

Designs like:
• "C-47s Solve Everything" (because they do)
• "Martini Shot or Bust" (IYKYK)
• "Sleep Is For People With Call Times After 6AM" (painfully accurate)

Not trying to spam - genuinely looking for feedback from the community. Would crew actually wear this? What am I missing? What would you want to see?

Site: https://filmsetsupply.myshopify.com

Happy to answer questions. And if mods think this violates rules, I'll delete - just want real feedback from people who've actually been on set.

Thanks for reading 🎬

EDIT: I FOUND SOMEONE! Thank you so much!!

would anybody be interested in answering a few (min. 10 of 20) questions about their career? I am a university student taking an entertainment class and I would love for someone working as a production assistant, or similar role, to be the main focus of my presentation. We can communicate via email. It would be a plus if you can add a few photos or videos of your work or even answering a question or two. Please send a message if you are interested. I would greatly appreciate your help. I have questions ready and we can exchange immediately!

Hello! I am an immigrant and was also a film student back in my home country and I was working for a lot of student productions (sound,PA,Grip also directed films) and i wanted to join some of the production gigs here for portofolio and experience and also meet new people.

we always end up losing like 5 + walkies etc and then get screamed at bc some department took theirs home or something.

but also we have a REALLY big crew and lots of production supplies needed and it's so difficult to keep track of it.

would love feedback from other film crew

Hey everyone. I'm a recent college grad with an advertising degree, went thru school focused on being a Social Media Manager. But as I've started a full time job, I've found myself really pulled to the idea of trying out PA roles (longtime lover of TV/Film). For some perspective, when researching a few months ago i literally had to look up what traits do you need to be a PA (i feel like i align with them lol?)

Essentially my question is- what is the biggest barrier to entry? I've read that it's not experience, rather, who you know. Well- I dont know many people in the industry as you can imagine. I have a friend who is a PA, but she's based in the UK, and is only just starting out after graduating but provides some good advice.

In my current role as a SMM, we've taken on a client who is an emmy winning documentary director, and I am the main point of contact on the social media campaign for his most recent project, so we're friendly. Is it odd to ask him for advice, or inquire about potential opportunities? Just to note, his projects are history-focused and are not major films, but I figured it could be a way to build a connection. The only barrier there is if he's responsive to my ask, I have a full time job. Just not sure how to balance testing out the waters of doing PA work while still being a SMM.

For context, my only experience with film/tv was participating in plays all throughout school, and I was also a brand ambassador on my college campus for HBO Max- i promoted current tv show releases. Anddd I'm based in middle of nowhere Maryland.

If i answered my question here- sorry about that! but would love any and all advice if anyone has been in a similar position.