CHAPTER ONE
Pre-production
Quiz
1. Name three reasons producers would choose your town to film a movie:
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2. What is the importance of a camera test?
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3. As a PA, you can expect to earn:
a. $75-$150/day
b. $250-$350/day
c. $50/hr.
d. Health benefits and a 401K
4. A technical crew survey allows for crew members to learn from the
Director & D.O.P. What scenes will be filmed at each location, and what
equipment will be required on the day of filming
TRUE
FALSE
5. True or False: Producers always import PA's from Los Angeles or New
York:
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER TWO
Production
Quiz
1. Name three crew positions that remain primarily within the production
office during filming:
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2. What is the difference between a Gaffer and a Key Grip?
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3. Who is responsible for locating picture vehicles for on screen?
a. Executive Producer
b. Picture Car Coordinator
c. Transportation Driver
d. Production Manager
4. ‘Continuity’ is a Script Supervisor’s term used to:
a. Keep track of the craft service food
b. Keep track of the crew members' paychecks
c. Keep track of maps and call sheets
d. Keep track of the elements playing in a scene
5. A Production Coordinator spends most of his/her day on the set and
away from the office.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER THREE
The Director's Team
Quiz
1. What are the three main positions on the Director's team?
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2. Why is it important to tell the Costume Department when an actor is
being 'wired'?
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3. Qualifications required to be a PA are:
a. College degree in Film or Cinema Studies
b. Dependable car, cell phone, and attitude
c. A rich uncle
d. A 35mm camera
4. What is the proper etiquette when working with famous actors?
a. No autographs
b. No photographs
c. Stand out of their eye-line during the performance
d. All of the above
5. When working as a PA, making yourself available to travel outside of
your local area to work will increase your chances of being hired:
TRUE or FALSE
CHAPTER FOUR
Your First Day on a Film Set
Quiz
1. When the camera is rolling, what should you do in regards to an actor's
eye-line?
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2. List three do's and three don't when working on a film set:
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3. At ‘Wrap!’ it is OK to:
a. Run over to the lead actor's trailer and ask for an autograph
b. Pull out a case of beer and crack a few cold ones
c. Load up your backpack with the remaining food at the craft services table
d. Grab a call sheet and check out with your department head
4. The appropriate attire for working on a film set is:
a. Midriff-bearing tee-shirt and cut-off shorts
b. High heels and a skirt in case you get discovered
c. Comfortable clothing in layers, with closed-toe shoes
d. Bright colors so your boss can pick you out of a crowd
5. When filming in residential areas, the production company has
essentially 'bought' the neighborhood. Therefore, it is okay to sit on
anyone's lawn and smoke your cigarette.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER FIVE
Walkie-Talkies
Quiz
1. If you wish to relay a story about the person you met at the bar last
night to your fellow crew member, how might you do this on the
Walkie?
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2. Explain the importance of “two-ears” and eavesdropping when using
the Walkie on a film set:
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3. If someone asks you, “What’s your 20?” and you are in the
washroom, how should you respond?
a. “I’m in the can.”
b. I’m dropping the kids off at the pool.”
c. “I’m 10/100.”
d. “I’m in a small hollow room.”
4. If someone informs you that you are “cueing,” what does this mean?
a. You are playing a game of pool
b. Your headset is dislodged, and the world can hear you chewing your
gum.
c. You are “hanging low and cool, man.”
d. Your fly is open.
5. Channel One is used universally as the 1st AD/SET channel. In other
words, the main line for communication of information from the Set
transpires on this channel.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER SIX
Other PA Jobs
Quiz
1. What are three duties you may be expected to know how to perform
as an Office PA?
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2. What are three duties you may be expected to perform as a
Locations PA during Pre-Production?
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3. As an office PA, what types of duties will make you unforgettable?
a. Create a binder of all the local restaurant that cater
b. Know when to distribute the lunch menu to the crew
c. Always get a receipt
d. All of the above
4. As a Video Village PA, what skills are essential?
a. Knowing how and when to cue the actors for the Director on the Walkie
b. Smoking
c. Drinking coffee
d. Sitting in the Directors chair
5. As a Extras Wrangler, it is a good idea to read the scene to them
before brining them to the set.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER SEVEN
Script Breakdown
Quiz
For this chapter’s quiz, practice breaking down the scene with the appropriate
highlighters, pens, and a ruler.
22 INT. OLD WAREHOUSE BUILDING, APT #9, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT 22
A moth flutters against the glow of a lamp. In a large living room littered with
taped cardboard boxes, garlands hang from the walls and a decorated tree
reveals it’s Christmas Eve. An old record player bleats out a carol from its
speakers. JILL, a small girl of seven, is about to open a large box wrapped in
colorful paper. Inside, something shakes.
JILL
It’s moving! What is it?
ROBERT
Open up, you’ll see.
ROBERT is a tired-looking man in his 40’s. Wearily, he observes his daughter
tear open the parcel. With wide eyes and a smile, she discovers a tiny cat within.
JILL
He’s so cute!
ROBERT
He’ll watch over you at night...
Robert smiles as Jill scoops up the cat, holds it tight against her body and gives it
a big kiss. The animal smells her, and licks her face. She bursts out laughing.
Robert’s eager to celebrate. He turns down the record player upon hearing
carolers outside.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Production Paperwork
Quiz
Name three items you’d find on a Call Sheet, but NOT on a Shooting
Schedule.
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1.
What importance is the Production Report to the company?
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2.
3.
A Prep Schedule is generated by the:
a. 1st Assistant Director
b. 2nd Assistant Director
c. Craft Service person
d. Transportation Captain
4.
In determining how and when to book hotel rooms and flights, a
Production Coordinator would refer to the:
a. Trailer Breakdown
b. Cast Day-Out-Of-Days
c. Call Sheet
d. Prep Schedule
5.
You’ll find the weather information on a shooting schedule:
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER NINE
Background Performers
Quiz
1. Which crew members do the Extras Wrangler need to coordinate
closely with, and why?
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2. Explain “Extras processing” and why it’s essential:
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3. How does the Extras Wrangler inform the Extras of the actions
required in each scene?
a. Whispers into each Extra’s ear
b. Uses a bullhorn
c. Reads the sides out loud to them
d. Personally walks each Extra to the Director for stage instruction
4. Come having had means:
a. You had a bad morning
b. The Extra comes to set already having fed themselves
c. Returning from a meeting
d. There was an accident on the set
5. As an Extras Wrangler your job may include choreographing the
Extras’ movement on-set.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER TEN
Film Set Safety
Quiz
1. Why might a 1st AD schedule stunt sequences and SFX sequences at
the beginning of the day?
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2. What types of concerns would a Producer address before allowing a
film crew to film in a pond, river, or lake?
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3. If the power surges in the make-up trailer, who should be notified?
a. The medic
b. The Gaffer
c. The Genny Operator
d. The craft service assistant
4. Circle the two types of cranes used on a film set:
a. Whooping Crane
b. Lift Crane
c. Camera Crane
d. Java Crane
5. True or False: It is the job of the transportation department to ensure
portal heaters are available when a crew is working outside:
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Guild, Union and Accounting
Quiz
1. Name four organizations which care for workers’ welfare:
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2. What is a meal penalty violation (MPV)?
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3. An electrician and a grip both belong to which labor organization:
a. Writers Guild of America (WGA)
b. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
c. Director’s Guild of America (DGA)
d. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
4. If a Makeup artist has a 10-hour turnaround and is wrapped at 24:00,
what time can he/she be due back to work without incurring a forced
call?
a. 08:00
b. 10:00
c. 06:00
d. 11:00
5. Petty cash receipts must be individually taped to a letter size paper.
TRUE
FALSE
CHAPTER TWELVE
Film Friendly Résumé
Quiz
1. List three sources one might contact to find the productions currently
filming or will be filming in your community.
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2. What are two very important pieces of equipment one must have in order
to be a working Production Assistant?
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3. Which of the following skills might a Producer raise an eyebrow at if
seen on your résumé?
a. Heavy equipment operator
b. Cook
c. Medic
d. All of the above
4. Where might you look for information about productions coming to your
area?
a. Local film commission
b. Local trades
c. Trade papers from Los Angeles and Toronto
d. All of the above
5. If a production comes to town, you should only call them once, then wait
by the phone for them to discover you.
TRUE
FALSE