Always Come Prepared: Top Tools for Production Assistants
We’ve all been there at some point in our filmmaking career. Starting out at the bottom of the totem pole learning how a film set works and what departments we want to work in while trying to build a resume. Generally that takes the form of being a Production Assistant, and whether you’re getting ready to PA on your first set or are 10 years into your career and PA occasionally on projects there are a number of tools that will not only make your job easier but will help you catch the attention of other people on the crew as someone who is serious and can be depended upon.
1) Notebook and a Pen
In the digital age of laptops, tablets and smartphones this may seem a little old school but I believe it is still a must have and highly valuable. As a PA on set you will find yourself doing a variety of tasks; sometimes being given more than one task to do at a time. And that is where a notebook and pen comes in. Whether you’re taking down a shopping list of crafty supplies, the lunch order or someones phone number having these tools that you can quickly pull out can be a life saver. Plus unlike a smartphone you don’t have to worry about the battery dying and not being able to access your notes. For me I also find that my shorthand is faster than typing on my phone. It’s also super easy after the shoot to just rip out the used pages so that you start with an empty notebook on the next project.
2) Carabiner
This one is not as common among PA’s but If you start to transition into the grip department carabiners get used quite a bit. I find them a life saver with a key item on film sets and that is car keys. Often as a PA you will be in charge of driving at least one vehicle around whether to transport gear, crew, talent or just to make supply runs. Having the keys on a carabiner makes it easy to just clip them onto your belt loop so that your pockets are free for other items and tools. It also allows easy access to them whether you need to just unlock/lock the vehicle for someone or hand the keys off while you 10-1 or go off-set. I myself first used these on a set where me and one of the other grips were passing the keys back and forth as when we needed access to the truck and it made for a very quick and easy exchange.
3) Headlamp
This is a piece of equipment you only make the mistake of not having on-set once. Many times regardless of what department you’re in you find yourself either filming late into the night, filming a dark interior scene or even just wrapping out of a location after the sun sets. Having a headlamp allows you to have the necessary light to do your job while not restricting you like a flashlight or using your phone would. You’re also able to very quickly turn it off and on as needed for when the cameras are rolling. And trust me you don’t want to be that person that is trying to find something in the dark or pack away gear while using your phone as a flashlight.
4) Multi-Tool
This is another vital piece of equipment to have whether you’re a PA, Grip, AC, or even in the art department. I added it to my personal kit only after working a project where I didn’t have one and had to keep asking people in other departments to borrow their’s. This is also one tool that you want to invest money into a high quality one that comes with a variety of tools. Most commonly I find myself using the knife, scissors, screwdriver and pliers attachments but the variety is super useful. Plus being the PA that can supply one when a Grip or AC needs a multi-tool helps show that you are on top of things and builds that trust on set.
There you have it, my top four tools that every PA should bring to set. Will showing up to set without these mean you do a bad job or don’t get asked back for another shoot. No, but in the fast paced world of filmmaking having the right tool to save 5 minutes or even 1 minute can add up quickly and if you are able to be that person that helps save the production time you will get noticed.
Have other tools you think every PA should have? Comment with them below. Also check out our follow up Blog Post about more tools you should add to your kit. Level Up: More Tools for Production Assistants.