Adrienne writes in:

I’ve just signed on to be a day-player, but as a paperwork PA for a major TV show. I’ve only done paperwork for small shoots before. Any advice you could give me about the position would be helpful.

“Paperwork PA” is often a euphemism for basecamp PA, because, technically, a DGA member is supposed to be running basecamp. As the name implies, you’ll be handling lots of paperwork.

It’s not a lot of fun, but you get to meet lots of people. Every day, you’ll have dozens of background actors and regular cast coming in and out, often all at the same time. Your job is to make sure each and every person’s paperwork is in order, so they can get paid and the studio doesn’t get sued.

You’ll also likely be helping out with the call sheet and production report. Those are the 2nd AD’s responsibility, but you’ll become a second set of eyes. If you prove yourself valuable, that can help in climbing the AD ladder.1

Ask the office for a box of pens . About half of them will walk away with their favorite extra. You do not want to run out.

Other than that, the main thing is to not get flustered. Do your job meticulously. If that means someone has to wait an additional five minutes before they can get in their car, so be it.