 |
Preparing for Your First ProductionNobody prepares you for the paperwork. Everyone tells you about the long hours and the coffee runs, and then you show up on day one and someone hands you a stack of forms and a call sheet you don't know how to read. So let's talk about the unglamorous side of your first set job — the rules and admin that quietly decide whether you get paid properly and treated properly. Learn to read your own hoursThe union agreements set the terms most sets run on, even if you're not in the union yet. IATSE publishes the 2024 Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement publicly, and they cover rest periods, meal penalties, wage rates, and nearby versus distant hires. If you're working in Georgia, New Mexico or Louisiana, the Area Standards Agreement is usually the relevant one. Skim them. Not to argue with anybody — just so you understand what turnaround between wrap and next call actually means. Meal penalties are real moneyHere's a concrete number. Per Media Services, if a crew member racks up 20 or more meal penalties in a work week, they're owed an hour of pay at their prevailing rate for every half hour, or fraction of a delay. That's why you learn to read the meal times on the call sheet and keep your own log of your hours. Don't rely on someone else's memory of when lunch got pushed. The training isn't onboarding fluffYou'll likely sit through harassment-prevention training during start paperwork. In California, SB 1343 requires employers with five or more employees to provide one hour of training to non-managerial staff and two hours to supervisors, every two years. SAG-AFTRA notes the bill was the first to mandate that training for nonsupervisory employees. Take it seriously. It exists because people needed it. What to have in your pocketsSmall thing, big impression. Fstoppers argues a PA shouldn't show up without a multi-tool, a flashlight, and work gloves. Cheap to buy, and the first time someone needs one you'll be the person who has it. So, todaySpend twenty minutes skimming the IATSE agreement that covers your region. Buy the flashlight and the gloves. And start a notes app habit now: call time, meal times, wrap. It takes ten seconds a day and it's the difference between guessing and knowing. And if you've already had a first day — reply and tell us what nobody warned you about. We'll share it. If you'd like to discuss these opportunities or your broader career goals, please don't hesitate to reach out. Supporting you is what we're here for. All the Best, Liv Today's New JobsBig board this morning: 188 jobs open and 21 of them dropped since yesterday, so the newest pile is still thin — worth getting in ahead of the crowd. Recommended Job of the DayProduction Internship is our pick. It's with one of the world's biggest entertainment studios, on a daily live talk show in New York, and you'd split the week between the production office and the studio floor — audience wrangling, green rooms, guest paperwork during tapings, then segment research and interview points in the office, some of which actually makes air. Part-time, six months, three mornings a week. It suits anyone quick, unflappable and genuinely interested in live TV. Show you follow the format and can spot a story in a lifestyle segment. Send it today: hiring managers here read as applications land and start shortlisting early.
Assistant sits inside a major TV and film company with streaming services, cable networks and film labels under one roof. You'd be supporting two senior execs in New York — diaries across time zones, travel, expenses, inboxes, meeting decks. Dull on paper, but it's a front-row seat on operations. If admin is your strength, don't sit on it; shortlists here form fast. Film Internship comes from an independent production company in New York, open to students and recent grads. The work spans development research, production, post, plus marketing, screenings, events and awards campaign digging, with a shot at PA work on shoots. Note it's unpaid, with no travel or food covered. If that works for your situation, get your name in early — these fill on first impressions. Also on the board — 188 live roles, 21 new today
|
Upcoming Virtual Workshops Thu 24 Sep, 7:00pm EDTDon’t F*ck Up The Coffee: Getting the Gig, Keeping the Gig Free for members
TV director Andi Armaganian (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Supergirl, Stargirl), who cut 100+ episodes before directing 30+ episodes, explains how entry-level crew actually get hired and, harder still, asked back. She covers the differences between PA roles, how referrals really happen, the on-set habits that quietly end careers, working around a director without overstepping, and turning one job into the next. For anyone chasing their first PA job — no experience needed — you'll leave knowing what "reliable" means to the people doing the hiring. Free for all Members. Book your place Thu 8 Oct, 7:00pm EDTMFJF Monthly Career Clinic Free for members
Starting a career in the film industry is a lonely business, but just imagine each month if you could speak with an experienced filmmaker and get answers to all your questions and concerns. Better still you can share your worries and listen to others, compare notes and learn all the tricks and tips to getting ahead in the Film Industry. Well, now you can via the MFJF Monthly Career Advice Clinic! Come along each month to get your questions answered and learn from our amazing community. The clinic takes the form of a virtual 60-minute workshop hosted by experienced filmmaker Christina Northrup. Christina will present each month and take live Q&A from anyone who wants to talk, if you want to just listen that is absolutely fine. The overall aim of these monthly workshops is to help you establish your film career! Starting a film career can be very lonely, constantly thinking you are on the outside looking in, desperate for somebody to recognise you have what it takes. And the truth is you are not alone, everyone feels the same. Sharing our concerns, listening to others and having an experienced filmmaker pass on her guidance is one very large step in the right… Book your place |
Today's Daily Job ListProduction Assistant, Production Toronto / GTA, Ontario · Closes 23rd September A short film production in Toronto is looking for a Production Assistant to join their crew.
We found this one on social media and posted it here so you guys know it's out there. We're not connected to… Production Assistant Studio City, California · Closes 5th October A major entertainment news brand is looking for a Production Assistant to join their news desk in Studio City, California. This is an entry-level role. Most days you'll be the link between raw footage and… Production Assistant New York, New York · Closes 5th October A world-leading news broadcaster is looking for a Production Assistant in New York. You'd be working on a long-form documentary strand alongside show and unit producers, taking projects from idea to… Production Internship New York, New York · Closes 5th October One of the world's biggest entertainment studios is looking for a Production Intern to join a daily live talk show in New York. You'd split your time between the production office and the studio floor.… Production Assistant NY New York 30 Hudson Yards, All States · Closes 5th October A major global news and entertainment broadcaster is looking for a Production Assistant to join the team behind a Sunday night long-form documentary strand. You'd work alongside producers and associate… Road Production Assistant Remote · Closes 5th October A global sports entertainment company is looking for a Road Production Assistant to join their TV Production Road Crew. As a Road Production Assistant, you'll help produce their weekly live television… FX Internship Burbank, California · Closes 5th October An Emmy Award-winning television network is looking for an Original Programming Intern in Burbank, California. You'd work across Development, Current Series and Casting, reporting to the Manager of… Production Admin Internship Burbank, California · Closes 5th October A major family entertainment studio is looking for a Production Admin Intern in the Burbank area of California. As a Production Admin Intern, you'll sit with the team overseeing kids, teens and family… Assistant New York, New York · Closes 5th October A major TV and film entertainment company, home to a portfolio of streaming services, cable networks and film labels, is looking for an Assistant to join their Linear and Streaming Operations team in New… Operations Support Internship Orlando, Florida · Closes 5th October One of the largest entertainment companies in the world is looking for an Operations Support Intern in Orlando, Florida. You'll support the Facilities team at a 96,000-square-foot site, keeping the… Streaming Media Assistant Remote · Closes 5th October One of the world's biggest entertainment streaming businesses is looking for a Streaming Media Assistant. This one's remote. You'd sit in the Media Operations team, which runs round-the-clock support for… Film Internship New York, New York · Closes 5th October An independent Film Production Company in New York City is looking for Film Interns. They're after college students and recent graduates who love film. As an Intern, you'll work across development… Event Assistant Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Closes 5th October A woman-owned event management and Production Company behind some of the region's largest festivals and live events is looking for an Event Assistant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As an Event Assistant… Various Crew, Production Austin, Texas · Closes 23rd September An independent, non-union feature film is looking for Various Crew. They need Production Assistants, a G&E Assistant, a Wardrobe Assistant, an Art Assistant or Set Decorator, and a BTS Photographer.
The… Production Assistant Las Vegas, Nevada · Closes 5th October A Podcast Production Company is looking for a full-time YouTube Production Assistant to work in person with their team in Las Vegas. As a Production Assistant, you'll research and coordinate potential… |
 My First Job In Film Launching the careers of new filmmakers around the world Click here to unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2026 My First Job In Film - All rights reserved |