A post-production assistant (PPA) works within the post-production team, providing administrative support to the post-production coordinator (PPC). They support the PPC by collating and distributing information, checking availability of rooms and studio space, and day-to-day housekeeping within the post-production (post) team and cutting room.
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
Assist the PPC to keep a post calendar up to date
Assist the PPC in managing diaries and calendars
Take and distribute notes of meetings
Create distribution lists
Assist the PPC when required, by sending key documents and schedule updates (with the approval of the post-production supervisor (PPS))
Prepare and manage the following documents for post during the shoot: script versions tracker; post contacts lists including post vendors and visual effects (VFX), and post cast list
Interpret a creative brief to identify and source relevant third-party material
Assist the PPC in researching relevant usable content
Check availability of studio space for editorial / automated dialogue replacement (ADR) / offices
Researching international travel for crew, as well as domestic cars or trains
Assist the PPC with coordinating any travel required for the post and editorial team to and from facilities / review sessions
Book couriers, and track parcels, both logistically and financially
Holder of petty cash or petty cash card, responsible for getting lunches and refreshments
Log, report and reconcile all petty cash with finance
Assist with issuing and logging of purchase orders (POs)
Troubleshoot and fulfil day-to-day needs, such as stationery and catering, flagging any issues to PPC or PPS
Track footage, backups and their associated drives
Textless background tracking and spotting
Keep an up-to-date log of what footage is being stored on which linear tape-open (LTO) tapes, and where everything is
Work with the various post, edit and VFX teams to coordinate the movement of media on drives
Keep accurate logs of all drives and their location, fulfilling any logistical requirements
Assist the PPC to manage a tracking document for all third-party material (stock footage / audio / stills) being used by a project
Collate dailies paperwork into a cloud-based, industry standard software and upload: camera reports, sound reports, dailies reports, LTO manifests
Carry out research for clearances on all stock footage, stills, and audio
Assist with child licences if required: liaise with parents / agent / local council to apply for licence and amend post schedule based on availability
Collect data in a confidential, consistent and organised manner
Comply with current legislation and regulations covering data protection
Assist the PPC to manage the creation of final delivery paperwork, such as post contact lists and post cast list
Assist the PPC to coordinate the logistical delivery of all assets to their required destinations
Assist the PPC in the delivery of paperwork, such as paid ads, billing block / credits
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of post-production assistant.
Organise and control post-production logistics and supplies
Liaise with other departments, acting as a contact point for post-production
Provide PPC and post personnel with up-to-date information on post-production activities, paying attention to detail
Communication: interpreting other’s requirements and communicating requirements to departments and colleagues
Teamworking: collaboration within own and with other departments, liaising with data wranglers, VFX, ADR, edit and production
Networking: investing time in networking activities, building a network of business contacts and establishing rapport with others quickly and effectively
Planning: planning practical requirements for transport and resources to meet post production needs
Resilience and enthusiasm: adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production
Productivity: organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines. Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all of their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, and meets the ethical requirements of their profession
Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment
Professional development: develop an ethos to learn and seek out learning and networking opportunities, identifying those that will be most beneficial
