NEW YORK—New Yorkers learned from industry veterans about how to break into film and television production on Jan. 18.
Almost everyone starts out as a production assistant (PA), an entry-level position, according to a release detailing the “frank [panel] discussion about what people can expect when they’re just starting out in their careers.”
Graduates of the Made in NY PA Training Program—a free program of intensive hands on training for four and a half weeks held by the mayor’s office of Media and Entertainment and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations—talked about what the job entailed and what makes a good PA.
Nick Thomason, the production coordinator for the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” said a strong work ethic, being self-motivated, and understanding that being on time—you'll be fired if you are late—means being early is crucial to both being a good PA and rising in the industry.
Film and television shoots start and end quickly, and sometimes PAs have to find other jobs during breaks. “You have to be prepared to not work for four months,” said Thomason, according to the release. “You have to budget your money.”
The next free discussion of the Made in NY Industry Series will highlight stage and music careers on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Apollo Theater.
