What is a Production Assistant, and What Do They Do on the Film Set?
The Production Assistant is sometimes referred to as the production runner. This individual is responsible for actin as a foot soldier to the production team performing many small tasks around the office, set and location to ensure that things run smoothly.
Production assistants have several job duties including office administration and crowd control. They essentially provide a helping had to the production staff whenever needed and often act as public relations, cleanup crew, and location monitoring assistants.
The work of a production assistant varies greatly from day to day and from project to project. One day could be spent running coffee to office staff and the next might be spent doing crow control on a major set location.
The work is generally freelance and may not be paid the best, but this entry level role allows the individual to begin learning about the film crew and set for later advancement into other exciting roles in the industry.
Production Assistant Job Requirements
The Production Assistant has several job requirements that vary with each day. They act as the support to the producer and other production staff. They assist whenever and wherever they are needed during the production.
Responsibilities can include simple tasks like answering phone calls and delivering mail or they may include things like cleaning a location following a shoot. The job consists of long work hours and requires someone that is dedicated and a people person.
Tasks range everyday
Production assistants sometimes file paperwork or perform simple data entry in the office, arrange or schedule lunches for staff, provide dinner reservations and transportation to or from locations and offer general office administration work to help out.
When working on the film set, production assistants often help keep the set clean and distribute time sheets to ensure the cast and crew remain on schedule.
They are responsible for handing out health and safety notices and other paperwork to members of the crew and set. Production runners may also coordinate extras and provide crowd control in light situations where there is no inherent danger.
Production Assistant Skills
The essential skills of the production assistant include mainly being organized and flexible. This individual spends 12-14 hours a day on the set, on his or her feet, so being healthy is important.
They are responsible for accurately relaying messages to various staff and must also know when it is absolutely vital to be quiet on the set.
They have strong verbal and written communication skills, are able to work well with others, can take orders and follow essential instructions and are careful not to show distaste or indifference toward others.
Calm & Alert
Production assistants are level-headed and remain calm when working under pressure. They are a primary contributor to solid working relationships on the set and must be positive and light when confronted with stressful situations.
They are generally aware of health and safety standards on the set so as to ensure that their actions do not impose jeopardy toward themselves or others as they work.
This role requires the following skills:
- Ability to communicate written and verbally
- Email and computer skills
- Good organization and administrative skills
- A versatile and flexible attitude
- Ability to work with little to no supervision
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety procedures