Production Assistant Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a production assistant job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a production assistant. Feel free to use our production assistant job description template to produce your own production assistant job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a production assistant.
Who is a Production Assistant?
A Production Assistant is an individual who assists producers and directors on TV shows, sets of films, setting up equipment, and also running errands demanded by other staff members. The main role he or she plays include distributing scripts and printing scripts. A good production assistant is expected to possess problem-solving skills to be able to resolve any situation logically while working on set. Production assistants need to also know how to multi-task when delivering their responsibilities because they may be assigned deadlines to complete a lot of tasks. They also work as part of a team called crew members and they need to possess team-building and motivational skills. They must also build a bond with their team members and know how to communicate effectively with one another.
There are different types of production assistants in the entertainment industry. Film production assistants are kinds of production assistants that run errands for directors and producers and also pass across messages to actors and actresses. The television production Assistants typically work on tasks similar to Film Production Assistants and they also perform other responsibilities such as preparing scripts for the upcoming production and distributing notes. Theatre production assistants on the other hand work backstage during stage performances, musicals, and plays. They also attend rehearsals frequently to ensure that the theatrical performances run smoothly.
Production assistants report to the Producer or several crew members on set. The producer is responsible for delegating responsibilities to the production assistant on set. Production assistants may also take orders from the director such as running errands during the production process. Production assistants may also aspire to become producers or directors in the future; to accomplish their dreams, they may seek counsel from producers or directors.
Production assistants usually work in a film set; they constantly move from one place to another running errands during a production process. They can work for 40 hours per week but their work is very flexible. They can be called upon at any time to do a task. They also travel from one place to another ensuring that a production process runs smoothly. They are also demanded to work late hours or early in the morning during production or video shot; they are very committed to their work and they ensure they put in their best for film production to be successful. It is no exaggeration to say that a production process is incomplete without the production assistant because the role they play is indispensable.
Production Assistant Job Description
What is a production assistant job description? A production assistant job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a production assistant in an organization. Below are the production assistant job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a production assistant job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a production assistant include the following:
- Prepare the set for filming
it is the responsibility of a production assistant to prepare the set for the film production to commence, he achieves this by arriving very early at the film set to put things in order. In preparation for the set, he or she must ensure that all the materials such as costumes and production gadgets are available. He or she must also ensure that all the cast and crew members arrive on the film set at the appointed time.
- Print and hand out scripts
There is no production of films without a script, the production assistant must arrive at the movie scene at the appointed time and ensure that he or she prints out the script and distribute it to the production crew, and casts
- Prevent pedestrians from entering the set.
The production assistant also makes the movie set or film set highly organized by driving away pedestrians because they can serve as a distraction to the film production. He can achieve this by ensuring that the pedestrians watch the film production from a far distance.
- Deliver messages to various crew members.
The production assistant serves as a bridge between the production manager and the crew. He is solely responsible for delivering information to the crew members because the production assistant reports to the production manager.
- Help create and adhere to production budgets.
The production budget is one of the core aspects of film production and if the production budget is not adhered to during a production process, it can lead to a budget surplus or deficit. The production assistant endures strict compliance by the crew members to the production to have a successful production.
Other job responsibilities of a production assistant are:
- Run errands for crew members.
- Organize digital graphics and metadata for the production team
- Archive and sync datasets and files for optimal performance
- Suggest improvements for all deliveries as identified
- Answer queries and information through phone or email
- Carry out necessary administrative duties as required
- Conduct clerical tasks as requested by the production team
- Bring suggestions for improvements on elements within each project
- Takes minutes of meetings for documentation and reference
- Maintain common office equipment like copiers, scanners, and fax machines
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts, Media, Film Studies, or any related field
- Experience working as a production assistant is preferred
- In-depth knowledge of the entertainment industry
- Knowledgeable with general clerical and administrative tasks
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Powerful passion for the industry
- Self-driven and motivated
- Flexible to work long hours and weekends where necessary
- Able to work efficiently with minimal supervision
- Capacity to multitask.
- Proficiency to create a budget.
- Flexible work hours to stand, walk and move around for extended hours at a time
Essential Skills
The following are essential skills and competencies a production assistant is expected to have to discharge his duties effectively and they are:
- Collaboration Skills: A production assistant is also a member of the crew of film production. He or she must know how to work with the crew to make a production process successful. The crew members consist of the videographer, costume designer, scriptwriter, and others. The production assistant must always motivate the team to work collectively to achieve success.
- Problem-solving Skills: A production assistant is next to the producer during a production process. Some situations or challenges may emerge when the production process is carried out. It is the responsibility of the production assistant to find a way out. One of the challenges can be maybe adverse weather conditions, it is the responsibility of the production assistant to help the production cast and crew to improvise amid unfavorable weather conditions.
- Leadership Skills: The production assistant may not be the one in charge during a production process but he or she may have to take that responsibility in the absence of the production manager. Possessing leadership skills helps him or her to delegate tasks to the crew members and motivate them to accomplish their task
- Communication Skills and Interpersonal Skills: The production assistant serves as a link between the producer, director, and crew members. He or she must be able to pass across a message to the entire crew members from the production manager. The message can be written or verbal. He or she must ensure that the message is clearly understood.
In addition, he or she must also build a strong bond with team members to ensure that a production process is successful.
- Time-management and Multi-tasking Skills: Most film production projects are time bound based on the budget drafted. A production assistant must ensure that the entire crew members carry out a task at the appropriate time without any delay. For instance, if a production process is slated for six months; a production assistant must ensure that the task is finished within the process of six months.
In addition, a production assistant must be very versatile when performing his responsibilities; he or she must know how to handle different tasks and deliver them at the appropriate time.
- Knowledge About the Entertainment Industry: A Production Assistant must have the requisite knowledge about the entertainment industry and the emerging trends in the industry. The entertainment industry is highly dynamic and a good production assistant must know new production techniques to fit in properly into the industry. They need to also know how to handle cameras, scanners, and other production gadgets in case when a strong need arises.
How to Become a Production Assistant
- Enroll for a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step to becoming a production assistant is to enroll for a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts, Theatre Arts, Film Studies, or any related field. This may take up to four years to complete and you will learn topics such as script writing, drama, writing for the media, and other topics. This will help you hone some salient skills that will equip you in your role as a production assistant. During this degree, you may be mandated to do a drama presentation or film show. This degree also requires a student to be proficient in literature: you will be demanded to read a lot of literary novels, drama, and poems to enhance your reading culture.
- Gain the Relevant Experience
While enrolling for your undergraduate studies in theater art, the course curriculum may demand that you enroll for industrial attachment in a media house to get the required experience. You will also be assigned a supervisor, this industrial attachment will help you harness the requisite experience you need. You can also acquire relevant experience by enrolling in a voluntary or paid internship in a film production house after you graduate from the University. During this internship, you will get to experience how production is being carried out and the stages of production which are: pre-production, production, and post-production.
- Build Your Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of all your previous work as a production assistant. The previous work can be a short YouTube clip, film productions, TV shows, and other productions that will serve as a point of reference. You can post it on YouTube use or any social media. Promote the videos so that they can go viral: this will serve as a point of reference for potential employers to see how you have gone viral.
- Apply for Jobs
Draft your resume; highlight your skills, and academic qualifications, and apply for any open position available in your locality. Use social media and other online job platforms to look out for open positions available. You can also use contacts of friends, family, and others in the field to help you secure a job quickly. Draft your cover letter and attach it to your resume. Your resume is your first selling point to your potential employers: make it marketable.
Where Can a Production Assistant Work?
A Production Assistant works in the entertainment sector alongside the producer, director, and crew members. He or she can work in an office setting or on the production set assisting the producer and director. The production assistant is always active in the production set to ensure that a production process works out successfully. Below are the places a production assistant can work:
- Television House
- Radio House
- Cinema
- Private production houses
- Media Companies
Production Assistant Salary
The salary of a production assistant varies across countries and below are some examples of some countries:
- In Ghana, A person working as a Production Assistant typically earns around 2,690 GHS per month. Salaries range from 1,430 GHS (lowest) to 4,100 GHS (highest).
- In Nigeria, A person working as a Production Assistant typically earns around 196,000 NGN per month. Salaries range from 106,000 NGN (lowest) to 296,000 NGN (highest).
- In Canada, The average production assistant earns a salary of $35,100 per year or $18 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $30,225 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $46,093 per year.
- In the United Kingdom, The average production assistant salary is £23,860 per year or £12.24 per hour. Entry-level positions start at £21,450 per year while most experienced workers make up to £31,500 per year
- In the United States, A person working as a Production Assistant typically earns around 54,200 USD per year. Salaries range from 25,500 USD (lowest) to 85,600 USD (highest).
- In Australia, A person working as a Production Assistant typically earns around 54,900 AUD per year. Salaries range from 25,800 AUD (lowest) to 86,800 AUD (highest).