| Camper Commentary |
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We believe in "Train 'em, don't blame 'em".
We hope to see YOU at camp! The Paramount lot is what comes to mind whenever I think of big Hollywood soundstages; even more so than ones that have been merged with, say, a theme park. Any tourist on Melrose has to notice the giant arches and gates that have opened hundreds of films for years. So how would my Boot Camp training translate to this, the epitome of production? As we arrived on the lot, a production was being shot in one of the courtyards. Within minutes and without asking anyone, I was able to identify nearly every crew member’s position from what I’d learned at Boot Camp. While this might seem like the Hollywood equivalent and a carnie guessing you’re weight, it really helped to feel comfortable on set and “fit in”. Surprisingly, that comfortable feeling never really left, even as I passed by bigger and bigger productions. Even just walking by, I could tell exactly what was going on at each show. It felt as though if someone ran up to me with a radio and asked me to jump in, I’d know exactly what to do. In one semester of film school, I spent 6 hours a week (and around $20 per hour), for 15 weeks of listening to someone who’s not in the industry anymore eat sushi and show film clips. Eventually, I got around to learning what a c-stand was, but that wasn’t until my tab had a comma in it. That’s why I was so amazed at how much I learned in just 2 days of PA Boot Camp. So, while it was great to walk around the lot with stars in my eyes, now it’s time to get myself some cargo pants and get to work!
To a most extraordinary troupe of PA Bootcamp
During a 2 day intensive, the team handled a group of 65 would-be production assistants covering the real life experience of what a fledgling can expect. With Definitions, Terms, Practical In a weird way: it is a generous portion of fun, but don’t be fooled. It is a very thorough and The SC Film Commission and the University of South Carolina sponsored the workshop and felt it was one of the most valuable we had seen at the university. The training was purely professional and not a moment was wasted nor did they use fillers. Susan Hogue Executive Producer, SC Film Commission, Columbia, SC Senior Instructor of Media, USC Art Dept, Columbia, SC Experienced P.A.'s speak out: Carrie Brooks Thank you so much for accommodating me last weekend! I know it is easier on your end to train multiple P.A.s at once, but I really appreciated your willingness to let me go through the program on my own. After working on a pilot over the summer, it was so helpful to refresh on many of the do's and dont's for the production office, as well as to go over all the paperwork line by line. I'm so grateful to have spent two days preparing with you and your staff as I get ready to start my own P.A. job in San Diego. Thanks to your program, I know I will be more capable and confident... and that really is priceless! -Annika S. Worth every penny! After years in the I.T. industry I decided to set my sights on a transition to the entertainment industry. Well, after realizing that my years of practical experience was not going to magically open any doors, I decided to look for ways of improving my marketability to the production management side of the business. I bought and read the recommended books and took some online courses, but attending P.A. Bootcamp was by far the best thing I could have done to get a real "practitioners" education on the world of movie making. Due to my schedule and need, I opted for the tutorial week day session. Don't think this camp is only about using a radio and how to "speak the speak". Yes, that is covered, but you will also be educated on the paperwork of the set and the office, the political hierarchy of the set, as well as a good dose of the movie making process. You will also come away with a good understanding of what it may take in terms of personal commitment and career investment to enter, compete and hopefully advance in this parallel world of the movie industry. The pearls of wisdom you will receive are not conveyed at a fancy campus or at a studio, but if you are looking for "practical" knowledge at a very fair cost that will get you on your way in just two short days, do yourself a favor and learn from a great bunch of folks that have been there and done that.
Dave C. I thought the event went well and garnered a lot of student interest.You all obviously know your craft well and are interested in sharing the knowledge with students. My honest opinion of the event, I'm glad we were able to schedule an event and get PA Bootcamp on campus. I definitely think it was a positive experience for all involved. I think the time was most effectively utilized. You focused more on providing one specific skill rather than just a general PA Bootcamp advertisement. I realize that this on-campus event only afford you a short amount of time, I think attendees were pleased.
Sincerely, Matthew Quandt University Southern California Event Coordinator Overall I LOVED this program. Specifically I thought the following were its strengths:
- Small Class – You can’t get lost. I never felt that I couldn’t get the attention of the instructor or that they didn’t have time to talk with me. - Drill Instructors – My instructors were very knowledgeable, great communicators and drew on years of experience in the business. - The two days were broken down into short comprehensive lessons which made it easier to pick up the vast amount of information that was imparted to us. It easily could have been overwhelming. - Hands on experience – I really appreciated the hands on experience when learning about radio use and etiquette. This fit my learning style. - Guests – It was encouraging to have P.A. Bootcamp alumni visit our class and provide validation that the boot camp provided the necessary experience to be successful as a P.A. in the business. Since P.A. Bootcamp I have had the following work experience: - Feature Film – I was called to interview as a P.A. intern and within 2 days had been promoted to the A.P.O.C. When asked what other projects I had worked on people could not believe that this was my first project. Personally I felt very comfortable, knowledgeable and valuable. I never felt like I was in the way because I didn’t know what I was doing. - Tele-novella – I was referred to this project by the 2nd 2nd on my first project. I was only hired for pre-production. After seeing the knowledge that I had attained through P.A. Bootcamp the Producer kept me on through production and now post. I was promoted from P.A. Intern to P.O.C before we wrapped. Once again I cannot tell you how much this course really helped me feel comfortable and useful in the film industry. I would definitely recommend (and have recommended) P.A. Bootcamp to others who seeking more information about becoming a P.A. I would also like to thank you for the referrals that I have received so far through P.A. Bootcamp and look forward to continuing a working relationship with you. Sincerely, Jennifer Patten "There is much more to being a P.A. than getting coffee. MUCH MORE. P.A. Bootcamp is where you get your initial entertainment industry bruising. They help you get through the production trenches." "Yes, you can learn on your own, but if you want to work and not look like an idiot, then come to camp." "Sure, you can do this on your own, but why be risky when you can be trained and ready." "ADs dont want to have to train them. It would take weeks to learn what camp teaches, but without it potential p.a.'s won't get day two (even if they got day one!)" - Franklyn Gottbetter; UPM/1st A.D.
Hello: A couple of months ago, I contacted you to ask about a list of PAs that graduated from your program. You responded immediately and sent me a list of all your recent graduates. I contacted some and finally selected Phil G. as one of the PAs on my production. I am happy to report that the entire crew is an awe of Phil. I've never worked with a PA who was so dedicated, prompt, quick and courteous. One quality that Phil has that I have yet to see in any PA (even in many other crew members amongst the other departments actually) is the ability to anticipate. He anticipated things that would be needed before I said a word. He never complained even when we worked long hours and had him running around all over town. He did things without being asked. He was extremely reliable to the point where I trusted him with a production credit card. Phil impressed me so much the first couple of hours on set that I just gave him my keys and had to ask for his permission to get them when I needed them. That's how reliable he was. He listens and executes with military precision. I cannot sing his praises enough. I have already forwarded his contact information to friends and colleagues who are producers for their future projects. I just wanted to thank you for your good work and for giving me this young man's contact information. Phil was an invaluable member of the production team. The director of this project is very hard to please, but on our last day of shoot he could not stop praising Phil and even gave him a little more than we'd promised him. Thank you so much!!! Producer - Martine Jean Before going to P.A.Bootcamp, I was skeptical that I needed to learn anything to be a competent P.A. I mean, come on, it's just getting people coffee and running around on gopher errands, right? Well I was wrong, and after bootcamp I realized how far I'd come not only in my knowledge of what it means to be a good P.A. but also in my perception of the movie-making process in general.
While I have made many films on my own, I didn't truly understand all of the roles and players on a real Hollywood film set until attending bootcamp. P.A. bootcamp has broadened that understanding to the point where I'm confident that I can operate on a film set as even more than a P.A. In looking for P.A. work, I know I have the skill sets necessary to do great and move up quick. Bootcamp is more than just a list of do's and don'ts. It's a confidence-builder and a guide to a complete understanding of P.A. work and working on a film set in general. To anyone that thinks they can walk onto a set and function as a competent P.A., please be advised: you are not prepared. Attend P.A. bootcamp and see what I mean. It WORKS!! -Brad Wilson I almost don't want to share PA Bootcamp with anyone else because its been so valuable I want to keep it to myself~~~! I'm coming from a different industry - journalism, news. I minored in film in college, and this was always my dream -- like "if i could do anything in the world". I knew what I wanted to do and decided that I had nothing to lose by coming here to find out more information. I was wrong though -- because I had a lot to lose out on by NOT coming here... Here's the thing about PA Bootcamp, it's awesome ...for a couple of reasons: 1) THE MOST VALUABLE THING OF ALL!!- It teaches you how to walk onto set and be a production assistant INSTEAD of a production ASS. The instructors walk you through, or rather throw you into the world of production (the lingo, the behaviours, the paperwork, and the set). I truly do not understand how anyone makes it onto a set without coming here to learn this information, and I feel sorry for anyone who has to go through that! 2) The instructors are real people who have gone through this. They know. They are cool. They want to help you. They encourage you to pump good energy in the industry by not being an ASS to other people, by working hard and loving what you do. 3) They give you real resources with up-to-date production lists and information about where to get your job immediately. They help with your resume. They enter you into a database you otherwise would not be apart of. 4) They give you interview guidelines, a check list for your first day, a whole notebook-type reference handbook, samples of the forms you will be expected to fill out. 5) It's in LA, which is, you know, like heaven. 6) They recommend a good hotel, Best Western Mikado. Stay here. If you are from out of town, its a cheap place, free breakfast, there are shops and grocery stores within a block or so, and the Scrubs building is across the street which makes for good entertainment. Thanks Guys! -Sarah Barnes Hello Everyone at P.A. Bootcamp!!
I just wanted to take the time to thank each and everyone of you. First of all, it has always been a dream of mine to work in the entertainment industry and as some of you may know my experience comes from the radio side of it. Although it is an entirely different beast all together it has it's similarities. What I really want to do is thank you all.
* Drill Instructor #1-Thank you for starting a wonderful outlet on where and how to begin in the business of film making. There really is no right or wrong way to getting started, but you definitely have a Great starting process along with the comfort zone of getting the ball rolling!! * Drill Instructor #2-Thank you, you definitely have taught me a lot. The Knowledge that you have relayed in 2 days was Enormous. You drilled and drilled and drilled until there was no more oil. Lucky for me I hit the jackpot of wealth of information that you have taught. I really didn't know what to expect going in but you managed to exceed the expectations and then some. You truly are a leader!! *Drill Instructor #3- Your knowledge was just as helpful as I know you drilled us pretty good on the walkies. Thanks for being so helpful and informative. I appreciate the help and insight you know as you are all working people in the industry. You guys are really a great group and I am very grateful and appreciative that I came across and went thru the camp. In this day and age no one wants to take the time to teach others what they know let alone the security that they feel by knowing more than others. You don't have to take the time out of your busy life's to do any of this so kudos to you for making time and giving people like myself a better chance on getting into the business. Good Luck to all of you and I look forward to working with each and everyone of you. Thanks again and definitely keep in touch. -Frankie H. I loved the bootcamp! I learned more in my two day session than in my five years of school. My two insructors were very helpful in creating an actual enviornment that we might come across in the business. I especially loved all the paperwork. Having it all down and in my hands is great for freshing up on the job. The Drill Instructors in P.a. Bootcamp "suffer no fools" and do what they can to help people like me get into the entertainment industry. I was really nervous about signing up but i'm really glad i did. I think I should have paid more money for camp, I feel i have a better understanding of what i'm getting myself into and where to find an actual paying job as a PA. i also feel i can present myself better in interviews with the knowledge that was provided.
Thanks for the weekend, -Stephanie B. Dear P.A. Boot Camp, I just wanted to let you know that my experience was amazing! I am so grateful for how thorough the training was. I feel like, with the tools that were given to me, I could start working tomorrow and actually know what I was doing! I was impressed from the get go and I definitely got my money's worth in the first day. The second day at camp was just icing on the cake. Thank you for the knowledge and the resources. I look forward to hopefully working with you guys one day! And for any potential camper reading this...DON'T HESITATE! SIGN UP NOW! You won't regret it. I promise. Thanks again for everything! -Nicole Rivera I am a recent cinema graduate and felt that my university's film program failed me. Everything I learned at school was all theory, never the nitty gritty stuff of being on a film production. I realized that after I completed my 2 day intensive p.a. bootcamp training.
I am from the Bay area,planning to move to L.a. to work on film productions. Not knowing how to get a job in the industry I did some research and came across the p.a. bootcamp site. It was what I was looking for, since I have no production experience. Having faith, I signed up, jumped on a plane to L.a. and paid the fee. They taught me everything, literally. What to do and most importantly what not to do on set. They took every bit of information from their head to mine. They kept their class small so they could focus on each individual. Plus, they shared great stories from their p.a. experiences. I am very thankful for that. I went home to tell my family and friends about p.a. bootcamp. They were very impressed and some wished that p.a. bootcamp would set up camp in the Bay area. You don't need to be born with the ability to be a great p.a. because p.a. bootamp gives you the possibility to be one. -Philip St. Gelais
Thank you for everything! PA Bootcamp was awesome... There was so much essential info crammed into those two days it was unbelievable. I got hired 2 days later as a day player. I told my friend who is a steadily working PA about the material you guys covered and he said,"Great! I spend 60 grand on a year at film school to learn how to work on a movie set and you spend a couple hundred for a weekend!"
If every job could have 2-day crash course like P.A. Bootcamp, the world would be a more productive place. I think one of the scariest things for people new to this is industry(and new to production) is not knowing what to expect. Not only did bootcamp teach me what to expect, but how to handle myself on set and in the office. The drill instructors are there for YOU, to train you and to answer any questions you have about the industry. They are extremely experienced. Two days may not seem like a lot of time, but trust me you will leave with more information and tips than you can ever find in ANY book. If you REALLY want to be a P.A.--there is no better way to start then to go to P.A.bootcamp! SERIOUSLY! -Sally Lok |
