From "Just Another California Newbie" to "On-Set PA" (Thanks to Justine Bateman)

NicoleDeRosa
Jul 22
6 min read

In 2011, I packed up my life and moved to California. My friends were scattered across the country, but I did have a tiny network from my days at Walt Disney Imagineering in Florida. Plus, my brother with his California crew, so he kindly spread the word that his "little sister" was coming to join the West Coast cool kids. One of his friends was none other than actress, writer, producer, director, and author Justine Bateman. You know, the "Family Ties" legend? Yep. She reached out to my brother for my number, because why not? That is to say, now knowing Justine, this is just the kind of person she is...sincere, caring, engaging, extremely thoughtful and collaborative.

Fast forward to me trying to adult in California, which included figuring out the whole “doctors and health insurance” situation. Somewhere between Google searching "best gynecologists in LA" and my new life as a freshly-minted Californian, Justine reached out. Bless her heart. We started chatting, and she casually passed along her gynecologist's info like it was the hottest tip in town. “Oh, by the way, here’s my doctor’s number. You know, just in case.” Only in California.

During our convo, she asked what kind of work I was looking for. I told her I had a nice little savings cushion, was interviewing with Disney Imagineering (still holding onto that magic, obviously), but I was also open to any cool new opportunities that might pop up. And boom, Justine drops this bomb:

“I’m producing a short film called Z. We’re filming on the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, an office in Hollywood, and Little Tokyo. You should totally come help out.”

Written by Jared Drake, Z is an action-packed short film about a goofy frozen yogurt shop employee (played by Robert Buckley) who is taken hostage by a mysterious woman (played by Helena Barrett).

I was like, wait, what? A real live movie set? I mean, sure, I'd been in the general vicinity of movie magic once or twice, like that time I was hanging out, watching my boyfriend skateboard along Broad Street in Red Bank, New Jersey and we stumbled upon Kevin Smith filming Ben Affleck in that infamous rain scene in Chasing Amy. Or the time I was a teen and convinced security at 30 Rock to let me watch Christian Slater host Saturday Night Live from the green room. But those don’t exactly count as “work” experiences.

So, I dove in headfirst.

Justine introduced me to the crew via group texts and emails. My first job? Run downtown and pick up the film permit paperwork from the line producer, Clio Tegel. I was basically a glorified messenger except, you know, with zero experience in the whole film industry thing. But hey, I was eager.

A few things to know about film permits include:

Filming on private property typically doesn't require a permit, but you'll need the property owner's written permission.
The application process involves submitting a detailed plan of your project, including locations, dates + times for filming.
Most locations require production insurance, covering property damage, injury liability + equipment protection.
Certain locations require special approvals, such as police coordination for street closures or fire department approval for pyrotechnics or hazardous scenes.
Always follow permit conditions to avoid fines.

The night before filming, I received the all-important call sheet. Now, if you’ve never worked on a film set, a call sheet is like the Bible for cast and crew. It’s a day-by-day schedule with everything from call times to locations to instructions like, “Do not let the lead actor eat a sandwich right before filming” (okay, maybe I’m embellishing, but you get the point). That little sheet was the key to making sure the whole circus ran smoothly.

As I said, a call sheet is a daily schedule prepared by the assistant director that provides detailed instructions for cast and crew, including call times, locations, and shooting schedules. It's a crucial document for keeping everyone informed and organized on set, and is typically distributed the day before filming.

Key elements of a call sheet:

Production Information
This includes the production title, contact information for the production company, producer, director + assistant director.
Location Details
The call sheet specifies the location of the shoot, including the address, parking information + any specific instructions for the location. As I said, the locations for Z included the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, an office space in Hollywood + a frozen yogurt shop in Little Tokyo
Shooting Schedule
It outlines the scenes to be shot, their order + estimated times for each shot.
Call Times
This section specifies when each member of the cast + crew is required to be on set. If anything changes, it is part of the PA's job to make sure that everyone has the latest updated call sheet with the updated information.
Cast Information
It lists actors, their characters + any specific instructions for their scenes, including wardrobe or prop needs. If an item is needed or is added to the shoot, a PA can be asked to obtain a piece of wardrobe, prop etc.
Crew Information
The call sheet also lists the names, phone numbers + email addresses of all crew members, organized by department.
Other Important Details
This can include weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, nearest hospital information + any special instructions or announcements.

A Production Assistant (PA) on a film set provides essential support to the entire crew, acting as a versatile helper who ensures smooth operations. Their tasks are varied and can include anything from running errands and managing paperwork to assisting with equipment and talent coordination.

Here's a more detailed look at the responsibilities:

Administrative and Logistics:

Paperwork:
PAs handle essential paperwork like call sheets, scripts + production reports, distributing them to relevant crew members.
Errands:
They run various errands, such as picking up supplies, delivering documents, or transporting crew + equipment.
Communication:
PAs act as a communication link, relaying messages between different departments + ensuring everyone is informed.
Crowd Management:
They may help manage crowds, extras + general on-set traffic.

Set Support:

Equipment Handling:
PAs assist with setting up + breaking down equipment, ensuring it's readily available when needed.
Talent Coordination:
They help with coordinating talent, guiding them to their designated areas (hair, makeup, wardrobe) + ensuring they are ready for their scenes.
Set Maintenance:
PAs may help with set preparation, cleaning + maintaining the overall order of the filming location.
Locking Down:
They help secure the set, preventing unauthorized access or disruptions during filming.

Other Tasks:

Craft Services
PAs might assist with setting up + maintaining the craft services area (food + refreshments).
Problem Solving
They identify + address minor issues that arise during filming, ensuring a smooth workflow.
General Assistance
PAs are prepared to assist any department or crew member as needed, embodying the "all hands on deck" mentality.

Essentially, the PA's role is to be adaptable + resourceful, ensuring that the production runs efficiently + effectively. They are often the first point of contact for many onset personnel + are crucial to the overall success of the filming process.

Fast forward to 2017, when Justine brought me back on board, this time as a PA for another short film called PUSH written by Justine and Holiday Reinhorn.

It was a pretty different vibe, mostly filmed in a supermarket in Simi Valley. This time, Justine was both directing and acting. PUSH tells the story of a pregnant woman (played by Justine) who gives a defiant 12-year-old boy (Nolan Gross) a ride home and, well, let's just say she takes him on a trip he didn’t quite expect emotionally. It was a fantastic project to be a part of, and I got to see the magic happen from both sides of the camera.

Honestly, I feel so lucky that Justine gave me the chance to be a part of these productions. From newbie PA to actually helping bring these cool stories to life, I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities, lessons, and some epic behind-the-scenes stories like trading stories with Steven Meiers Dominguez aka Toastycakes (PUSH's onset photographer) who shaped the LA party scene as significantly as he documented it with his eye for fashion and bold, kinetic photographic style.

The moral of the story: Never underestimate a random connection, a group text, or a gynecologist recommendation. You never know when it might lead to your next movie set adventure.