Linda asks:
If a television production is nearly done shooting for the season, would this be considered a poor time to contact the production office to inquire about open positions for a production assistant?
If so, when is the appropriate time to contact a television production office?
Most shows are nearly done by now, if not done already. Now is just about the worst time, for a PA, to look for a TV job. You might get lucky and find a pilot, but in my experience, those coordinators and ADs hire from a pool of PAs they already know.
In the next few months, though, the networks will begin announcing pick ups and renewals, leading up to the release of the fall schedule. Pay attention to the trades, and you’ll see which pilots are going to series, and which series are coming back for a new season.
As soon as you see one such announcement, start making calls. If you know someone who worked on the show, great! Use that connection. If not, check out this old post about contacting production offices. (The comments section has some handy suggestions, as well.)
In the meanwhile, enjoy those unemployment checks!
