Level Up: More Tools for Production Assistants
You’ve been a PA for a while now. You’ve grown your resume, jobs are coming in more frequently and you’re ready to up your game in how you come to set. But what tools should you pick up next that will be worth the money and be used over and over? Let’s find out.
1. Phone Charger
This might seem like a no brainer but I’ve seen people forget them or not bring them to set. Whether you bring a car charger or a power pack is up to you and may depend on the job. I’ve worked several jobs that saw me in the car for the majority of the shoot running errands and picking up cast and crew. Having that car charger available to keep my phone charged to use as a GPS as well as for communicating with the rest of the crew was essential. Plus being the person that can pull-out a charger when someone else forgot their’s makes for a win-win.
2. Grip Gloves
Once you’ve been on enough film sets you’ll notice that the grip department is usually one of the first there and last out. They’re also one of the most common departments to grab a PA to help with setting up or packing up gear. I’ve worked on a number of television shows that come in from out of town for an episode or two and because of that they don’t have dedicated grips, they just rely on the PA’s. If you’re going to be helping out at all in the grip department having gloves is a must. Not only can they give you a better grip when manipulating gear, they also help protect your hands from sharp edges, getting pinched and with handling hot lights. While not the cheapest investment they are worth it.
3. Walkie Earpiece
Walkies are your lifeline on set. They are reliable even in places you don’t have cell reception. They allow you to communicate with people while the camera is rolling if needed and they keep you from having to shout over everyone else to be heard. But, if you’ve ever used a walkie before you know the earpieces they come with are never the best. Sometimes they’re too big or small for your ear causing them to constantly fall out. Other times they are worn out and the earpiece won’t stay on the surveillance, either falling onto the ground or getting stuck in your ear. That’s where these earpieces come in. They are molded to the shape of the ear allowing for them to stay in way better. I’ve used them on set and gone entire days without them falling out compared to the other earpiece. I also find that they make things easier to hear than with the other earpiece. You can find them on Amazon for around $10-$15 and they come in different sizes to fit your ear.
Gaffer (Larissa Loeffler) and Key Grip (Grant Cadwell) in rain gear while rigging lighting for filming Brothers in Christ Productions, Stand Firm.
4. Rain Gear
Very few movies are shot completely indoors and even then a lot of times as PA’s you will find yourself outside helping lock down a location or grabbing something out of one of the vehicles. Having rain gear, whether its a poncho, rain coat or water proof shoes, can be a life safer. I’ve had my fair share of shoots where either a surprise rain shower moved in, filming took longer than expected or you’re making it rain for the scene in the film. Sometimes I even had to use it to keep the camera dry instead of me. Trust me though, once you use rain gear once on a set you won’t go back.
There you have it. Four more tools that I take with me to every set. While none of them are required its always better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not have it. Are there other tools you think are essential for a PA to have or that you take to every set? Drop your answer in the comments and continue the discussion. Also make sure you check out our original PA Production Tools Blog post for tool hints.