A production manager assistant assists the production manager with many of the tasks involved in film or television production. An assistant to a production manager may specialize in assisting a specific production manager. In general, this type of production assistant aids in the setup and optimization of broadcast media production.
Many people who aren’t familiar with the television and film industries believe that a production manager assistant’s job is limited to getting coffee and drinks for producers and other top executives. This isn’t always the case, as more routine “go-for” jobs are frequently mixed in with actual set work. Production assistants are frequently responsible for maintaining the environment of a film or television shoot.
For many production assistants, one of their daily tasks is to organize various details for production logistics. This might entail renting a vehicle or piece of equipment. Assistants to the production manager may contact those who are involved to ensure that they arrive on set on time. They might place an order for food or arrange for other services to be available on set.
A production manager assistant may be asked to practice specific roles on the set, such as crowd control, while a movie or television piece is being filmed. On the set, production assistants are frequently seen ensuring that onlookers remain within various boundaries so as not to interfere with camera shots. These assistants also ensure that a shot is not ruined by crowd flash photography.
On set, the production manager assistant may assist in the management of extras. They might make sure that extras are following the proper instructions so that their presence in the film looks and sounds natural. This, and many other aspects of a film shoot, are frequently delegated to a production assistant, and the job can be difficult when the assistant’s work directly affects the production.
A production assistant must have excellent interpersonal skills as well as strong problem-solving abilities. These individuals will be asked to “run with” a task on a regular basis, and creative initiative is essential. Production assistants must frequently ensure that they communicate effectively with a variety of people in order for all aspects of the production process to run smoothly. Because of these requirements, working as a production assistant is a difficult but rewarding job.