A Day In The Life Of A...Production Assistant
So now that we have found out what a Producer is, what about the Production Assistant? A Production Assistant’s role is that of an entry-level “grunt”. A good PA is a creative aide who finds a way to fulfill their duties and tasks efficiently but the best PA’s are those who find ways to improve on ideas as well as the above. We, at Particle 6 Productions, believe that our assistants are the BEST!
Sophia's Interview
What is a typical day for you?
Well, a typical day for me would be FIRST check your e-mails. ALWAYS check your e-mails! This way you can see what’s coming through and what you can help Eline, Cameron and Francesca with. Because you see, my role as a production assistant is quite a versatile one so I do a bit of this and that. This includes producer duties, which includes research, working on pitches, writing scripts, helping to create briefs. It’s a lot of stuff. It’s very rewarding, but it also requires some serious brain power to keep up with everything that is going on all at once!!
What types of projects do you work on?
I’ve been here for a shorter period of time than most but generally speaking, as an overview of what I’ve worked on in my time at Particle 6 I’ve covered . I have worked on several pitches for the BBC and was able to attend a shoot at one point. It was a lot of informative videos for the public to learn from - edutainment as the staff at Particle 6 like to call it.
It’s been really nice, as a student and for my future career, being able to get this experience!
What’s the best and hardest part of your job?
Being able to work with all you [Particle 6 team] has been the best experience for me. It’s a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere and I really like that. The team I worked in was very close knit and we managed to accomplish so much in a short period of time.
Regarding work the best part has been the allowance of being able to explore areas I’ve never ventured into previously. For example, producing. I never knew what that really entailed until Particle 6. I’ve had the chance to refine my script writing and budgeting skills as well as challenging my organisational skills. I’ve really loved every aspect of Producing.
The hardest part of the job has to juggling everything that goes on. However, for me personally, the challenge of getting out of my comfort zone and pitching my own ideas as I’m quite a shy person. Sometimes I used to feel like to be in the media industry you have to be this big personality. But in reality you grow into your role. And I feel like being myself in the midst of nervousness has even given me the advantage of a different perspective when approaching various obstacles.
If you could describe your role in one word what would it be?
Chameleon. [Why?] Well, it’s because you have to be changing constantly, you have to be doing many things at once. As well as adapting to your situation by perhaps learning a new topic that you wouldn’t have necessarily have thought about initially. Even though, if we say, Media (As a whole) is a box. It’s more of a Russian doll...as you unpack it. Everchanging.
What is your favourite project that you worked on?
My favourite project was a corporate video shoot where we stayed overnight in a lovely BnB. Then we had to wake up at the crack of dawn and head over to the island where we were shooting - which is apparently where Woman in Black was filmed. ~ Kinda scary. It was a long day but every aspect was exciting and super enjoyable.
How have you grown whilst working at Particle 6?
At uni, I felt like I wasn’t really taught the management side of being a “Media Producer” and how to actually BE in a production company. Things like, budgeting, spreadsheets and research had never really been touched upon enough. I had always been used to creating my own fictional/factual projects; I’m very used to the idea of creativity for but now I am grateful to have to experience of creating pieces for other people / businesses.