WELCOME TO P.A. BOOTCAMP!
ATTENTION ALL POTENTIAL CAMPERS
We send this for you to be CLEAR on how P.A. BOOTCAMP WORKS! If you choose not to read this pamphlet in its entirety, you will NOT BE fully prepared for camp.
THIS IS A BOOTCAMP! Not a FORMAL classroom setting.
PA Bootcamp is an INTENSIVE program which teaches you the skills necessary to make it in the FILM and TELEVISION INDUSTRY, as a P.A.
We are NOT a temp agency! We DO NOT “place” you on a show, we give you the tools you need to find a job, as well as recommend you for work, as a set or office P.A.
We TRAIN/CONDITION YOU for the JOB of a P.A. We train you to be the person who your boss, (an Assistant Director) will want to hire.
P.A. BOOTCAMP is NOT Film School. We are not “academically based.” We are industry professionals. This is TRAINING! This is an INDIVIDULIZED TRAINING PROGRAM. We DO NOT accept more than 5 campers. Your session could be just you and our Drill Instructor OR a session with up to 4 others (including you)
P.A. BOOTCAMP WORKS! We ENCOURAGE you to email us questions if you are unsure that camp is what you had in mind or what you need.
YOU WILL LEARN
• The basics of film production
• A Production Assistant’s “place” and responsibilities
• All departments and what they do
• How the set works
• Set etiquette
• Set terminology
• Radio (Walkie) fundamentals, usage and etiquette
• How to best prepare yourself for a day on set
• What is an AD? Who are they? What do they do?
• ALL production paperwork involved within the AD department.
• Understanding the A.D. department, the production department, how a P.A. fits into that department.
• How to DAY PLAY
• How to KNOW what does and does NOT apply to you.
• How to be an Office P.A.
• How to become an A.D.
• How to find work/ Where to look for work
• The job interview process
• How to get work beyond just “knowing someone”
• How to get asked back by the same show again and again
• How to write your resume to catch PRODUCTION’S eye
• ALL CAMP SESSIONS INCLUDE Resume Support. After camp a camper may email us at anytime and we will help construct your resume to appeal more toward an AD, or APOC’s eye.
• WANT TO HEAR FROM CAMPERS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH CAMP BEFORE YOU DECIDE? JUST CHECK OUT OUR CAMPER COMMENTARY PAGE AT
WWW.PABOOTCAMP.COMWHAT MAKES A GREAT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT?
A successful P.A. anticipates the needs on set and stays one step ahead of everyone else. We prepare you for everything that will be thrown at you, from paperwork, to personalities, making you the kind of PA who will be re-hired. The secret of being a constantly working PA lies in the dialogue of GOSFORD PARK. Don’t get the connection? Come to camp.
CLASS SIZE
Classes are restricted to a maximum of five students. We keep our sessions small so every camper can learn the material and process it according to how each individual learns. The goal at PA Bootcamp is for every camper to walk away knowing all that they NEED TO. And it is a lot!!
JOB REFERRALS
We often get calls from shows and production companies looking for P.A.’S.
EVERY CAMPER who has gone through P.A. BOOTCAMP, and has looked for work, has gotten work within a few weeks of attending camp.
WHO ARE WE?
P.A. Bootcamp is a TEAM of: Production Coordinators, Set P.A.’S, Office P.A.’S, Asst. Directors, Directors, Production Managers, and Producers. Our trainers (aka “Drill Sergeants”) have many years of experience in ALL aspects of physical production. Credited shows for staff members that make P.A. BOOTCAMP are summarized at
www.pabootcamp.com “OUR EXPERIENCE” page.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:
When you are emailed your location, check the weather and prepare accordingly, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD on a real show. You will be OUTDOORS, just like you would be on a real show. We are preparing you for your first set experience THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE!
Bring pens, paper, a notebook or folder, your resume and your lunch. Lunch break is for a ½ hr, just like a REAL SHOW. (P.A. BOOTCAMP does NOT provide meals, nor do we provide sunscreen.)
Bring a copy of your resume for our D.S.’s to scrawl on. They will help reconstruct your resume for an A.D.’s eye, or a POC, or where ever you feel you want to start off in through being a P.A. FIRST.
No chairs allowed! Camp is held at picnic tables OUTSIDE. For your own comfort, we suggest a towel, blanket, or pillow to sit on.
Campers are NOT permitted to bring their friends to camp!!! NO VISITORS AT ANY TIME. The instructor will NOT teach if a guest is brought along who is not SIGNED up.
LOCATION:
Camp is held in the L.A., and Valley areas, OUTSIDE in a park. The outdoors is where a PA works. You need to get used to adjusting your wardrobe for weather conditions, at the same time being comfortable enough to stand on set 14 to 18hrs a day.
We OFTEN hold camp RAIN or SHINE.
Show up to camp PREPARED!
P.A. BOOTCAMP is WEATHER PERMITTING.
If camp has to shut down due to EXSSESIVE rain, a “rain check” will be granted. Campers may “cash in” their rain checks on any weekend that camp is held (class size permitting). This does NOT apply to heavy wind or cold. A Production Assistant works OUTSIDE at ALL TIMES with LITTLE exception; getting used to the weather is essential!
Upon completion of the course
You will receive placement on THE CAMPER CREW LIST, which is sent to various shows looking to hire immediately. You will also receive a certificate of completion.
Camp is held on Saturdays and Sundays, 9A-2P.
The cost for camp 2 day weekend session is $250.00
WE ALSO OFFER :
- 2 DAY SESSION DURING THE WEEK 10A-3P ($250.00)
- 3 DAY RELAXED SESSION DURING THE WEEK 10A-3P ($350.00)
THESE SESSION OPTIONS ARE OFTEN PRIVATE TUTORIALS WITH JUST THE CAMPER AND DRILL SERGEANT. ADVANTAGES OF THIS TYPE OF SESSION ARE:
Speed of camp is adjusted to the campers learning needs.
A Camper won’t have to share time with other campers.
The session can be customized easily.
EMAIL US YOUR SCHEDULE REQUEST.
1.) GO TO
WWW.PABOOTCAMP.COM2.) Click to our “CURRENT SCHEDULE” PAGE
3.) EMAIL US WHICH DATES YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING
SIGNING UP IS EASY! Just email us the following
REQUIRED information:
• Your FULL name
• Contact numbers (cell and home)
• Email address
• Home address
• Choice of weekend.
***We do not share this information with ANYONE! Until you sign a “release form” provided AT CAMP, this information is CONFIDENTIAL.
Once you have SIGNED UP you will THEN receive a CONFIRMATION email with the following information:
1. Your Drill Sergeants Name
2. A phone number where he/she can be reached in case of an EMERGENCY, or if you get LOST.
3. MAP to the park that your camp session will be held in with some (general) directions, and the park address.
NOTE: If you do not sign up PROPERLY, this above information is NOT emailed to you.
PAYMENT:
Payment is to be made IN FULL on day 1, UNLESS paying by personal check.
FORMS OF ACCEPTABLE PAYMENT include:
Money Order
Cash
Personal Check
Cashiers Check
To be MADE OUT TO: P.A. BOOTCAMP – Charles Canzoneri
***If paying by PERSONAL CHECK, campers MUST allow 5-10 business days for the check to clear BEFORE your scheduled camp session. Email us for WHERE to send your personal check, ahead of time.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT:
Credit Cards OR Debit Cards
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If for any reason you need to cancel a scheduled session we ask that you give us 24 to 48 hours notice. In exchange for us not charging our campers up front we kindly ask that you honor our cancellation policy.
P.A. BOOTCAMP DRILL SERGEANT AND CAMPERS IN THEIR SESSION
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