The Post-Production Assistant is the entry-level position within the post-production department. A proverbial “jack of all trades”, the Post PA handles many of the day-to-day tasks in a supporting role to both the post and editorial departments.

Historically, the Post PA (or any PA in film and TV) could be referred to as a glorified “runner”, someone responsible for going point-to-point every day to shuttle media, drop off and pick up paperwork, get coffees and lunch, and handle the physical needs of the production. In today’s industry, remote capabilities and the transition to file-based workflows and deliverables have reduced the role of “running” and driving in the PA’s day-to-day work life. While “running” has not gone away, the industry’s evolution has altered the role of the Post PA into a more supportive office staff position.

Industry Note

The shift from physical media to file-based workflows has significantly changed the Post PA role. Daily tasks that once required hours of driving between facilities can now often be handled digitally.

Responsibilities

The organizational needs of a project can vary wildly depending on complexity, team and production size, budget, in-office vs work-from-home, schedule, and many other elements. Because of this, responsibilities can differ from show to show. Based on standard experience in today’s film and TV industry, below is a list of common responsibilities that the Post PA may be expected to perform.

  • Show accounts management (subscriptions, software, emails, anything requiring an account)
  • Dailies and editorial paperwork organization
  • Dailies footage and paperwork distribution
  • Hard drive, footage, and deliverables tracking
  • Lunch and coffee runs
  • Physical media and hard drive movement
  • Office supplies and crafty stock
  • Timecards and invoice submission
  • Stock footage searches
  • Meeting and session scheduling
  • Shadowing Post Coordinator tasks
  • Assisting Post Producer and Post Supervisor

Many successful post-production professionals began as the Post PA. It’s an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the department, build relationships, and start developing the technical and personal skills that make successful careers in the film and TV industry.