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Key PA
Production · Roles

Key PA

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Leads the PA team on set: assigns tasks to PAs, monitors radio traffic, runners, and supply logistics.

The Key Production Assistant (Key PA) is the interface between the Assistant Director (AD) team and the rest of the production assistants. Instead of the 1st AD giving instructions to six people individually, the Key PA receives the tasks and distributes them.

What's on the Table

  • Scheduling. Who secures the location, who picks up actors, who drives, who stays at base camp.
  • Radios. Distribute equipment, assign channels, swap batteries — and ensure that only relevant communication is transmitted on the set channel.
  • Supplies. Water, rain gear, seating, heaters. This might sound trivial, but on a cold outdoor shooting day, it determines the pace.

This position is the usual path from Production Assistant to Assistant Director — someone who can coordinate the assistants can next lead a set.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Director

Creative or operational relevance to directing

Producer

Importance in production planning and execution

More in the lexikon

Related terms

Test your knowledge

Quiz

1. Was beschreibt „Chef-Produktionsassistent" am besten?

2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Chef-Produktionsassistent"?

3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?

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