- Post PA positions are rarely publicly advertised; networking is the primary path in
- Social media, university resources, and industry groups are valuable tools for finding opportunities
- The Post Producer or Post Supervisor hires the Post PA
- Pay rates range from minimum wage to approximately $22/hour with daily or weekly guarantees
Finding your first Post PA job can be incredibly daunting. Open positions are not often publicly advertised and meeting those hiring can be challenging. In the film and TV industry, networking will always be your best friend. Word-of-mouth plays a heavy hand in people knowing who you are and your quality of work, and personal references hold a lot of weight. Never be afraid to tell people what you want to do, because you never know where your next opportunity will come from.
Never be afraid to tell people what you want to do, because you never know where your next opportunity will come from.
Where to Look
Social Media
Social media has done a decent job of opening doors to new opportunities. There are several job board-type groups that anyone can join, where people will often post job opportunities or ask for resumes. We recommend searching for industry groups that are trying to connect individuals with opportunities. As mentioned above, word-of-mouth is a powerful tool and following other industry professionals on social media sites can be a great source for job leads.
University Resources
If your college or university has an alumni job board or career resource, we highly recommend taking advantage. Industry relations are a big selling point for institutions and alumni connections are invaluable when it comes to networking. Utilizing these services could prove beneficial when job hunting.
Industry Groups, Guilds, and Unions
Networking will be your biggest friend when trying to secure work and market yourself. While “open to the public” union events are a little more rare, there are many post-specific industry groups that host events throughout the year. Newer groups like the Post Production Guild NY and Post Production Guild West host industry meetups for anyone interested in post. Attending as many industry-related events as possible will open doors and help form strong industry relationships. Follow these groups on social media or join their public Slack channels for more information.
Don’t limit yourself to post-specific events. General film and TV industry mixers, screenings, and panels are all great places to meet people who work in or adjacent to post-production. The more people who know your name and what you’re looking for, the better your chances.
The Hiring Process
After securing an interview, the Post PA will likely meet with the Post Producer and/or Post Supervisor. They will discuss the details and needs of the show and expectations of the post team. If selected, the Post Producer will then send the PA’s resume to the post department at the studio for final sign off. Once approved, the Post PA will receive their offer from the studio or post team, and will typically start one to two weeks before the commencement of principal photography.
It is industry standard that all potential candidate resumes be sent to the studio for final approval before offers can be presented. Higher-up positions may also need to go to the network for approval before hiring takes place. This is especially true for creative positions like Editors, Colorists, Mixers, and Composers.
Pay Scale
Pay rates can vary depending on a number of things like feature vs. TV, studio, network, project scope, and budget. A typical pay rate for a Post PA can range from minimum wage (location dependent) to approximately $22 an hour with a daily or weekly guarantee.
Breaking into post-production takes persistence, but the opportunities are out there. Stay visible, stay connected, and be ready when the call comes. Your first Post PA job is the beginning of a career that can take you anywhere in the industry.