Working in the production office suits individuals with great admin skills who are meticulous and organised. You should be able to sift through large amounts of paperwork, whilst keeping on top of the day to day responsibilities of the production assistant, such as getting in the lunches and making the teas and coffees. 

On the larger productions the office runner will take over the fair share of tea and coffee making duties, but when you are starting out expect to be working across both. 

Here are My First Job in Film's top tips for starting your career as a production assistant:

1. Driving licence.

If you don’t have a driving licence, make arrangements to get one as this can provide a real barrier to finding work. If you are stuck out at a remote location, you need a car. If you are working at Leavesden, or any of the other studios, you need a car. There are some transport links, but when you need to be there at 6 am, you might find the tube/bus combo isn't going to cut it. 

If the production office is running out of central London then you are in luck - but - the PA can often be asked to go on runs or take the rushes to another location. Don't panic if you don't know how to drive yet, just bear it in mid that the majority of work in the film industry will, at some stage, require you to drive. So get the practice in now.

If you have a licence and a car, invest in a headset as the office will be calling when you are out and about, or better still get into the habit of pulling over when convenient.

2. First Aid Certificate.

Having a first aid certificate can be very useful for runners and PAs on and off the set. 

3. Attire

Don’t be dressed too casually in the office environment, senior members of production may not like it. Choose your clothes carefully and please don’t arrive in flip flops, you will see the production coordinator roll their eyes and sigh. Even though you're not working on set, you have no idea what the day has in store for you, so keep footwear sensible, and don’t become a health and safety hazard.

4. "Well, I'm actually a producer".

Production coordinators are looking for runners who want to be excellent runners and use their experience to progress up the ladder. Although it’s good to show ambition, do the job you are employed to do and don’t quote the cliched lines that veterans of the industry hear time and again.  You don't hear junior doctors referring to themselves as consultants, do you? So, get your head down and work hard, it will make the end result all the sweeter. 

5. Prioritise.

It can be difficult to balance people’s needs, make sure you are polite and try not to get stressed, especially when dealing with pressurised situations. While in the production office, many people can feel its their right to give tasks to the production assistant, actually you should be reporting to the coordinator; so if you do get assigned tasks by another member of crew, speak to the coordinator first. 

6. Are you good with computer systems?

If you come from a technical background or have the least bit of technical sense, then display it. This applies when dealing with the office equipment, so if you have an affinity with computers and the production is on a smaller scale, your knowledge can be very valuable if there are any office problems.

7. HoDs

Know who the Heads of Department are on set, and the role they perform. If you are asked to deliver something you stand a better chance finding them amongst the many people who are milling around. 

8. 2 sugars?

Remember how people take their tea and coffee by keeping a little list hidden in the kitchen, this saves time and makes you look good. Remember who likes their food really hot when you bring it to them, so you can pop it in the microwave when you do.

9. Contacts.

Program relevant crew members numbers into your phone so you know who’s calling, and if you're out and about you have easy access to the office phone (program that one to speed dial).

10. Returning to base.

If you’re out delivering or collecting something call the co-ordinator to let them know you’re heading back, there may be something else they need you to do before you return.

For more information on becoming a production assistant, click here.

If you are a production assistant and want to share your stories about working in the film industry, then get in touch, we would love to hear from you at [email protected]