Production Assistant - Commercials

Commercials

Commercial Set PAs share the same responsibilities as their Television and Feature Film counterparts (see "Set PAs" above),but also inherit additional responsibilities traditionally encompassed by other departments in the television and feature film structure. These responsibilities range from providing both critical and mundane production support equipment such as dollies, cranes, director's chairs and pop-up tents to standing in for talent and even filling in for other departments who might be shortstaffed. It is not atypical for a commercial set PA to be seen handling trash one minute, and the next minute assisting the electricians or grips with a set-up. A select group of commercial set PAs are given the responsibility of driving and managing the production and camera cube trucks. This responsibility is often given to the more senior PAs because it provides several extra days of pay.

Set PAs in commercials are more commonly hired by the production coordinator and/or production manager as opposed to an AD or key set PA. However, many commercial ADs will.

Standard rate for a commercial PA in the Los Angeles area is a flat rate of 200 dollars per day. On February 1, 2008, benefits for qualifying freelance PAs became available through the Producer's Health Benefits Plan.