The Production Assistant's Pocket Handbook

- News: Handbook now on Amazon | University of Central Florida buys 500 for film program

The Production Assistant's Pocket Handbook is designed to help you: Get a job in the film or TV industry. Quickly learn how to be a professional Production Assistant (P.A.). And get promoted as soon as possible. Written by Caleb John Clark (See personal site), a veteran Hollywood P.A. who is now a Web media producer, author and teacher. (hear an interview of Caleb on the Digital Production Buzz radio show.)

The handbook is available in four forms:

From the Introduction: Think of it, to try and make movie. What a crazy idea! This popular handbook has been freshly revised and designed to give new Production Assistants (P.A.s) an edge in the insane world of movie making. Topics include how to get your first job, the basics, lock-downs, radio communication, running talent, what to bring to a set, driving, etc. Written by a P.A. while working on major studio and independent features, commercials, TV shows, and low-budget films, this handbook is full of advice and stories from the trenches. This 3rd edition has been expanded and checked by industry professionals and instructors at film schools. P.A.s do everything nobody else wants to do. It is an entry-level job, in other words, you’re in the proverbial mailroom, digging ditches, washing dishes, making copies, and entering data. So don’t kid yourself, you’re at the bottom, baby! But the good thing about the bottom is that there’s only one way to go from there: UP! Like all entry-level jobs, the object of being a P.A. is to work yourself out of the job by making yourself too valuable to be kept in the entry-level position. Being a P.A. is also a weird test with only one question; Are you willing to become the best P.A. you can, even though you know that you won’t be a P.A. for long? The logic behind this is that the people above you have paid their dues and proved their passion (to themselves, not just to others) and they expect you to do the same. The other side of the coin is that a good P.A. is very valuable because there is nobody else to do the job. Therefore, take pride in all the little demeaning tasks you will have to do. Take the job seriously. Be honored and happy to get coffee, and remember who prefers three sugars. If you are an exceptional P.A., you will get promoted very quickly, and the coffee will come to you.

© 1999-2008 Caleb John Clark

Download The Free P.A. Handbook Basics
The first 10 pages of basic idea chapters (Free).

Download the Full PDF
Print quality 63 page file. $3.00.

Buy the P.A. Handbook
Pocket-sized, perfect-bound $8.95.

Free P.A. Handbook Basics PDF
The first 10 pages of basic idea chapters.

Full PA Handbook PDF
Print quality 63 page file. $3.00.

Buy the P.A. Handbook
Pocket-sized, perfect-bound $8.95.