Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

The Work

The Production Assistant reports to the director, assistant director and/or producer and the work involved varies according to the make up and structure of the production team.  
 
P.A.s may carry out initial research and assist in the setting up and organisation of the production office. General duties in support of the production could include preparing and distributing production paperwork as required. Production Assistants might help to make arrangements for the use of external locations and to determine the requirements of the production on location. They assist in sourcing and organising what is required, for example, services, transport and troubleshooting on set, listing shots, timing shots, etc.  
 
In film, the Production Assistant generally works on set/ location. Production Assistants working in television would generally be working in the control room with the Director. The functions of the P.A. in the control room would be counting down to rehearsals, to recording or breaks and timing shots. The work includes post-production support to the producer and team.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
• Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
• Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
• Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
• Operate soom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
• Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
• Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
• Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
• Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
• Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.

Further Information

• Production Assistant - Film - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Production Assistant - Film - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Production Assistant - Film - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

There are a number of courses available countrywide in the field of television and film production that will give the student a broad knowledge of the process of Production.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & Office admin, Media production & Broadcasting in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, TV & Film studies, Film production, Media studies around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Animator Apprenticeship at NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, TV & Film production, Media & Communication, Arts & media studies at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Creative digital media at NFQ level 9

Screen skills Work based learning programs  Training for production staff may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  

IFTV Irish Film & Television network For a list of TV/ Film production companies and Career roles

Careersinscreen

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €45k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale / Glassdoor / IFTN/ Indeed/ Talent

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Skills Gaps in the Irish Animation sector (Animation ireland June 2022). A key central issue was graduate skills in relevant animation software. Specific software requirements and competencies in pipeline and technical specifics were top of the list regarding skills gaps. While studios that produce 2D content have recently moved away from Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash) into Toon Boom Harmony packages, there are a number of studios using less common softwares such as Cel Action and Moho for their 2D content. Studios creating CGI content are largely using Autodesk Maya with some now moving towards open access softwares such as Blender. A massive 50% of Irish animation graduates are working for overseas studios (20%) or working remotely on adult animated content (30%).The remaining 20% of recent Irish animation graduates are not working in the sector.

The Skills Challenge for the Screen Sector in Ireland 2023. Despite the skills shortages there is no effective and efficient way to identify crew who are available for jobs or for crew to be able to identify what positions are available. Recruiting experienced crew is also a major issue. Notwithstanding the current skills shortages, the key message from the interviews and focus groups was that a larger production crew base will be required to meet future live action demand which is probably significantly larger than the size of the existing crew base. Key areas of focus for future skills needs include the areas of skills for sustainability and green production as well as digital and technology related skills, especially in relation to virtual production. 

Note: The following