Chris Arrington graduated with a film degree from the University of Kansas. He began his career as a PA for Chicago-based features and television shows. His first job was as a PA for the series Early Edition. Shortly after he became a producer's assistant for the multi-camera comedy What About Joan. Then he realized that it was time to head west. In Los Angeles, he ended up working as an assistant to the studio executive of What About Joan, which provided him with the opportunity to get to know several producers. It was long after that when he became a production coordinator for several multi-camera sitcoms including According To Jim, where he was eventually promoted to associate producer. After five years at ATJ, he is currently the associate producer for the new Disney XD series I'm In The Band, set to premiere in late November.
Most importantly, he gave me my first job.
When you are hiring office assistants or PA's, you will frequently consider people with no prior industry experience. So how do you decide which people are worth interviewing? What makes a resume or cover letter stand out?
When I am looking for PA's I actually prefer people with little or no PA experience. In past experiences, I find that when I hire people with no experience they are very eager to work. Being a PA is far from glamorous and some of the responsibilities that they have are not necessarily the most challenging. I find that when someone has been a PA for a long time they tend to have a chip on their shoulder and feel that they are entitled to more. They become lazy and less willing to do some of the jobs that they are asked to do. I am looking for someone that is excited to be here and wants to learn. Being in production, I love when I see a resume of someone that wants to get into production and not writing. Nine out of every ten candidates wants to be a writer. That doesn't mean that I don't hire PA's who want to be writers. It just means that if you want to be a producer or on the crew make sure that your resume indicates that. You may have a slight advantage over other candidates.
When I am looking through resumes of potential candidates, I generally don't read cover letters. Keep it simple. Keep it to one page. I know that you are straight out of school or have little experience in the business. You don't need to show me that you worked at 'The Gap' during your senior year in high school. Save the comedy for your spec scripts, not your cover letters or resume. When you do submit your resume, follow up. There are constant job openings on shows. I am always asked if i know any PA's by other producers. You don't want you resume to end up in the back of the file.
Also, save the suit and tie for funerals and weddings, not your interview.
What education or professional experiences outside the industry best prepare aspiring assistants to work in Hollywood?
I have hired people with all different degrees in school. You don't need to have a degree from film school. You don't even need a degree. Being a production assistant isn't brain surgery. You are there to support the each aspect of the show. I am always happy when someone thinks ahead. Don't wait to be told to do something. If you see something that needs to be done, just do it. There is always something that can be done. Stay busy. If your not, look busy. Most importantly, have fun. We are not saving lives, we're making TV.
So now you've hired someone in your office, and they're looking to move up. What kinds of things encourage you to promote an assistant?
We all started as PA's. We know what it is like sometimes. You are a very important part of the show. Sometimes it is a very thankless job. If you just give it your all, people will notice and soon you will be hiring the PA's. You need to take advantage of the time and learn as much as you can. I learned more my first year as a PA than I did in school. You have access to every department of the show. Ask questions. Get to know the purpose and responsibilites of each individual of the crew. It will pay off in the future.
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