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Principal Photography Commences"Principal photography commences" is one of those phrases everyone in this industry says and almost nobody explains. So here it is: it's the official start of filming with the principal (lead) cast, as opposed to second unit work, reshoots or pickups. It's the line between "this movie is being made" and "this movie is being planned." Case in point: the trades have The Batman – Part II in pre-production, with principal photography set to start January 1, 2026 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London. Big title, big stages. But the interesting part isn't the film. It's what that phrase quietly tells you about how productions move. What that phrase is covering for By the time cameras roll, a production has been running for months. Financing closed. Script locked, or locked enough. Department heads hired. Locations scouted and secured, sets built, equipment ordered, a full crew assembled. Coordinators, ADs, art department, transpo, all of it. "Principal photography commences" is the end of pre-production and the start of the shoot, in one tidy phrase. Which is why the date matters more than it looks like it should. A show starting January 1 was staffing its office back in the fall. Coordinators were building crew lists, the UPM was finalizing the budget, department heads were already bringing in their people. Why this matters if you want a PA job The hiring window is pre-production. That's when the office is being set up, when a coordinator is buried in paperwork, and when an extra pair of hands is genuinely useful. So when you're reading production trackers, the word to look for is "pre-production," not "principal photography." And the location matters as much as the title. A London stage shoot doesn't help you much if you're in Atlanta or Albuquerque. Track what's shooting where you actually live. Then do both things at once: keep an eye on what's gearing up near you, and apply to what lands on the MFJF job board the day it lands. Those entry level roles come from production offices in exactly this phase. Make it a habit Check your tracking sources weekly. Not for the trivia, but to catch "pre-production" next to a city you can get to. Keep a simple list: title, company, stage, who you contacted, when. Do that for a few months and you'll understand how productions staff up, which puts you well ahead of people who only notice a movie once it's famous. Got a question about any of this? Just hit reply and ask us. Liv Today's New JobsEight new roles landed on the board overnight, bringing us to 163 live right now, and the fresh ones are still largely untouched if you get your name in before the crowd does. Recommended Job of the DayOffice Assistant is our pick today. It's a permanent spot on the Operations team at an independent film and television studio, keeping the place running: reception and front desk, post and deliveries, stocking kitchens and meeting rooms, supplies, AV and maintenance niggles, and a hand with internal events and lunches alongside the Operations Manager. Unglamorous on paper, but you'd be the person every department knows by name, which is how a lot of careers start. Worth doing before you apply: think of one example where you spotted a problem before anyone asked, and put it front and centre. Staff hires like this get read as they come in and shortlisted early, so go today.
PA closes tomorrow, so this one's a today-or-never job. A New York production company needs a Transport PA for a five-day October shoot around Manhattan and Brooklyn, driving a cargo van of kit between locations and mucking in with set ops. Paid $200 a day, non-union. You'll need a valid driver's licence. Also on the board — 163 live roles, 8 new today
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Upcoming Virtual Workshops 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 ListOffice Assistant Permanent Job · 2 Weeks · Closes 20th October An independent film and television studio is looking for an Office Assistant to join their Operations team on a permanent basis. In this job, you'll keep the office running day to day. That means front… Talent Agency Internship Internship · 2 Weeks · Closes 20th October One of the world's leading Talent Agencies is looking for Summer Interns across its film, TV, music, sports and publishing departments. As an Intern, you'll research clients and trends, build pitch decks… Jr. Digital Designer Permanent Job · 2 Weeks · Closes 20th October A major film and television studio is looking for a Jr. Digital Designer to join its in-house Creative team. In this job, you'll design and version campaign assets for streaming, social, web and email… Production Assistant Permanent Job · 2 Weeks · Closes 20th October An award-winning entertainment marketing agency in Los Angeles is looking for a Production Assistant. They build trailers, key art and digital campaigns for film, TV and gaming clients. In this job, you'll… PA Production Crew · TBA · Closes 8th October A Production Company is looking for local PAs to work a live event in Detroit, MI on 9th and 11th October.
As a PA, you'll be on check-in and registration, getting people signed in and where they need to… PA Production Crew · TBA · Closes 8th October A New York production company is looking for a Transport PA for a five-day shoot across Manhattan and Brooklyn this October.
As the Transport PA, you'll be driving a cargo van with equipment between sets… Festival Internships Internship · 2 Weeks · Closes 20th October A long-running TV Festival is looking for Festival Operations and Social Media Interns for its spring programme, running from late January to late June 2027. On the Operations side you'll help plan and run… Various Crew Production Crew · TBA · Closes 8th October An award-winning indie production team is looking for Various Crew for a short film shot as part of a 72-hour film challenge this November.
They need a Producer, 1st AD, DOP, camera assistants, DIT… Industry news
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