User:David.schoen/sandbox (Production assistant tasks)

Mass Comm Course - Contribution Sources and Bibliography Draft

IDEAS FOR MY TOPIC WITH SOURCES:

Contribution plans:

Regarding the Production Assistant (PA) article on Wikipedia, one of the most important things I can add on the page are reliable sources. Since there are little sources within the entire web article, I’d like to back up many claims listed on the page. I can also add more information on the difference between a PA in America and a PA in Canada. The article is very Canadian-based, and there is hardly any information on American PAs. Additionally, I’d like to include some references to PAs in other international countries with a major film industry. Countries in Europe and South America have vast filmmaking industries, and the article does not mention PAs around the world. The article is not specific enough because it mentions Canadian PAs and only alludes to American PAs. Lastly, I’d like to add as little bias as possible when entering this data into the web article because there seems to be small hints of prejudice in the Wikipedia page.

Bibliography:

1) Clark, Caleb - The Production Assistant’s Pocket Handbook: Because Nobody Has Time to Tell You What You Need to Know [Inkslinger Press, 3rd edition, 2008]. Article.

2) Cram, Christopher - Digital Cinema: the Role of the Visual Effects Supervisor [Indiana University Press, 1st edition, 2012]. Article.

3) Griesinger, Justin - "Movie Crew Job Titles" [Film In Colorado, 1st edition, 2017]. Article.

4) Hamedy, Saba - "Climbing the Hollywood ladder, one coffee or script delivery at a time" [Los Angeles Times, 2014]. Web Article.

5) Kroon, Richard W. - A/V A to Z: An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Media, Entertainment and Other Audiovisual Terms [McFarland, 1st edition, 2014]. Textbook.

6) Robb, David - "Commentary: Production assistants need pay" [Hollywood Reporter, 2010]. Web Article.

David.schoen (talk) 17:19, 29 September 2017 (UTC)

Mass Comm Course - Sandbox Draft and Link

Tasks

In the United States, Production Assistants in union and non-union workplaces face various tasks on the movie set of a filmmaking project. Most union PAs are asked to complete tasks with a certain focus. Union PAs only are asked to do a few tasks that may be related to one another and they normally receive tasks concentrated on the actual making of the movie. For example, union Production Assistants may be asked to evaluate a movie's daily rushes for a film director or help the film editor decipher ways to alter a scene. Those who are non-union Production Assistants are usually asked to complete a variety of tasks by a department head on a film set. The tasks of a non-union PA can match those of a union PA. These tasks asked to be completed by either a union or non-union PA are requirements that are related to the movie's production, such as setting up props on set and negotiating with the director on how a scene should be shot. However, non-union PAs commonly may be asked to complete a wider array of tasks since these tasks may not necessarily be associated with the film. For example, non-union PAs may be asked to input data in a computer, wash dishes, sort letters in the mail room, and buy coffee for department heads. Basic duties of non-union PAs can be classified as running errands for any person in the production department.

Most PAs work with many people since their job requires them to complete generic obligations. Therefore, PAs must be proficient with their communication skills. Traditionally, PAs communicate with department heads by walkie-talkies on and around the films set. However, PAs can be asked by any member of the film crew to complete a job via interpersonal communication (talking to each other in person) or across technological devices such as a cell phone. Aspiring PAs must also expect to be attentive on set since they may be asked to complete any job for anyone at any time through any medium of communication. Former Production Assistant Caleb Clark recommends that people who want to be PAs must avoid sitting down, remaining alert at all times. Clark elucidates that PAs must be vigilant because they could be asked for help by any other person at any time of the day. In addition to their improving their skills pertaining to communication and readiness, PAs must adapt to their film set environment. Many movie sets that Production Assistants work on may vary in terms of luxuries. Since movie sets are given different amounts of amenities, not all of them may have the properties and resources that a Production Assistant will need to complete certain assignments. Therefore, PAs should be able to familiarize themselves with the movie set in order to increase their success rate. PAs also must be aware that they may need to bring their own form of transportation on the set. Due to the little resources some sets may have, PAs should consider bringing their own cars or trucks to the set so that more of their long-distance tasks can be completed. The people that normally ask PAs for help are usually superior to them within the film crew. Those that ask a Production Assistant for help typically include people at the top of the film crew's structure, such as the production coordinator, screenwriter, producer, and especially the film's director.

David.schoen (talk) 18:22, 2 October 2017 (UTC)

Hi David.schoen : Very nice draft here and nice in-depth examination of the duties of PAs, both union and non-union. The Production Assistant's Handbook by Caleb seems like a really great reference. Have you noticed if the book discusses other areas that PAs are involved with? If you wanted to, I bet that you could use this book to really help build this Wikipedia page. Very nice work. Best, Prof.bgreg (talk) 09:46, 15 October 2017 (UTC)

Peer Review LaraLegath

Hi David, This is a great draft with a lot of detail. I definitely feel like anyone reading this would get a clearer picture of what PAs do day to day. Though this is a big solid paragraph with no breaks in it and that may cause it to be more difficult to read than it has to be, changing the organization of your draft by making smaller, more to the point paragraphs might be beneficial to your addition. Also seeing your bibliography, you could consider adding some more sources. LaraLegath (talk) 20:11, 20 October 2017 (UTC)

Peer Review Response David.schoen

Hi, Lara. Thanks for your response! I greatly appreciate your recommendations and will definitely use them when editing both my paragraph and the Production Assistant page in the future. I was wondering about how the paragraph was looking and now I know that it may be best to separate some sentences for a better reading experience. I also have additional courses and will plan to add them in to the article in the future, as well.

David.schoen (talk) 19:03, 25 October 2017 (UTC)