The Advertising Production Assistant working in the studio of a television station is responsible for assisting the producer and other members of the production staff in filming or taping advertisements and commercials that are to be aired on the station. The individual works with copywriters, actresses, actors, models, hairdressers, makeup people, directors, advertising salespeople, secretaries, cue card people, lighting people, and electricians. Together they assemble and produce effective advertisements for the station's clients.
The Advertising Production Assistant may have varied duties depending on the structure and size of the advertising department and his or her experience. In smaller stations the individual may have more diversified duties. This, however, gives the assistant a more rounded education in the craft of producing commercials. For example, in a smaller station the Advertising Production Assistant may be asked to help with the copywriting of scripts for commercials. In larger stations the individual would not usually perform that task. He or she may, however, provide input on whether dialogue sounds strained and be asked to make suggestions for improvements.
The assistant is responsible for taking down the changes made in advertising scripts and making the necessary corrections. He or she may physically do the retyping of the script or may give the corrections to a production secretary. The individual is then responsible for circulating the new commercial script to the proper people. If the studio does not have cue card people, the Advertising Production Assistant may be asked to write the dialogue on cards. He or she may then be required to hold up the cards during the filming of the commercial for the actors and actresses.
The individual might also be responsible for actually setting up the lighting or for instructing the lighting people where the lights should be placed. The production assistant may be responsible for setting up microphones, cameras, or other electrical equipment or may just instruct other members of the crew where to put things at the suggestion of the producer and director of the commercial. Depending on the situation, the Advertising Production Assistant may help the producer and director cast the models, actors, actresses, and announcer. The individual may call agents looking for a specific type of face, look, or personality. He or she may schedule casting appointments for both the producer and director as well as the casting manager, if there is one on staff at the station.
In most cases, the individuals responsible for assisting the producer and director of the advertisement in making sure that the correct props are available and in setting them up where needed. The individual may also be required to handle such tasks as marking the set floor where the actors an actresses are supposed to stand.
The production assistant is responsible for scheduling studio time for the shooting of the commercials. The individual must notify everyone involved in the commercial when to be available and where to be. This includes camera people, assistant directors, directors, associate producers, producers, floor managers, actors, actresses, models, and announcers. The advertising client usually wants to be notified when the taping is taking place so that he or she can be there.
It is the responsibility of the production assistant to make sure all legal papers are in order and releases are signed by the models and announcers. The individual is responsible for keeping records of studio time, costs, and visuals. After the commercial is completed the Advertising Production Assistant may be required to take down the set and return props. He or she may also have to run off copies of the commercial for the director, producer, or advertiser to review.
It is important to note that in smaller stations the production assistant often works not only as part of the advertising department but also as part of the programming department. Hours for this job are fairly normal. Things can get quite hectic, however, when there are a large number of commercials to make in a limited time period. Depending on the structure of the station and its advertising department, the production assistant may be responsible to either the producer or director of commercials or the advertising director.
Salaries for Advertising Production Assistants can range from US Dollars 24,000 to US Dollars 33,000 or more per year. Variables include the size of the station, its location, and the experience and responsibilities of the individual. At certain stations the Advertising Production Assistant may be represented by a union. In these cases the union sets minimum earnings for individuals. Stations in smaller markets usually have the lowest salaries because individuals in these positions are just entering the job market.
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