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"Temping in the TV industry"

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"Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Gabrielle Lyon on Feb-24-05, 12:29 PM (PST)

I've just arrived in LA - sadly, from what I've read on the board, too late to get any jobs for pilot season. My understanding is that I will have to wait until May to even try to find work as a PA or WA.
Here's my question: are there any temp agencies in LA that specifically deal with the TV industry? I'm a proficient and experienced admin assistant (it's how I put myself through college - I just graduated), and if I'm going to temp I'd rather do it in the industry than outside it, even if it's not on the production side.
Any tips?

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Table of contents

RE: Temping in the TV industry, Employed Sitcom Gal, Feb-24-05, (1)
RE: Temping in the TV industry, Larry Brody, Feb-24-05, (2)
RE: Temping in the TV industry, Kevin C. Sielky, Feb-24-05, (3)
RE: Temping in the TV industry, Delia, Feb-27-05, (4)
RE: Temping in the TV industry, jimjimgrande, Feb-28-05, (5)
RE: Temping in the TV industry, Writers' Assistant Ninja, Mar-01-05, (6)

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1. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Employed Sitcom Gal on Feb-24-05, 08:43 PM (PST)

>Here's my question: are there any
>temp agencies in LA that
>specifically deal with the TV
>industry?
Dear Gabrielle,
It can't be that easy, can it? An agent devoted to temps in show business would take all the challenge out of getting started, don't you think?
I didn't think so...
I think you need to bite the bullet and find all the production companies you can drive to and walk into. Studio security is difficult to get past, but most other companies have offices in various easy-to-enter buildings in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West L.A., Burbank, and North Hollywood. (Excuse me, I mean Studio City.) I would imagine that you could find them in the yellow pages and call their HR office to see if they need anybody.
Be warned that "admin assistants" are everyplace in this town. That's what everybody who isn't a "Creative Executive" calls herself. That doesn't mean their qualifications are as good as yours, but let's face it, the best qualification is a boyfriend, husband, father, or uncle running the show. Any show.
Is there anybody you can call who might know somebody who knows somebody?
My own show could use a couple of capable people, but that doesn't mean we have any openings. The incapable people seem to have things sewn up tightly. That, my dear young woman, seems to be the way of the world.
Your friend (rooting for you),
ESG

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2. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Larry Brody on Feb-24-05, 09:15 PM (PST)

Not to be too self-serving, but TELEVISION WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT has about a hundred pages on where to hang and work and live in L.A. so you can get your foot in the door.
The most important thing you can do, though, is make use of your friends and family. As ESG says, call everyone you know or are related to who might know someone who might know someone who might know someone else who's in the business. Then call that person and take him/her out to lunch. Be terrific. Be a friend.
It's all about friendship here. Hence the old saying:
"It's not enough for me to succeed. All my friends have to fail."
Welcome to L.A.!

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3. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Kevin C. Sielky on Feb-24-05, 10:06 PM (PST)

My two cents...
First, get Larry's book to get a "lay of the land." It helped me out a great deal. A detailed road map that will help you a lot.
As you have read, it is all about access in this biz. At least that is the message I am getting in my short detour into the entertainment world.
A couple places where I have gained access is through one TV/Film networking group and another organization that holds events where you meet many levels of TV/Film production.
Of course there is always the UTA list for job postings.
Email for details...Good luck!

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4. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Delia on Feb-27-05, 09:48 AM (PST)

Hi Gabrielle,
I just landed in town as well. I've got a few things lined up but they are mainly workshops and meetings. I'm not seeing any pay-gigs in my near future and I actually know a few people.
If you want to share info, shoot me an email.
Delia

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5. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by jimjimgrande on Feb-28-05, 09:07 AM (PST)

Taking a bit more of a long term approach -
You might take your admin skills to the HR departments of the mid and major talent agencies and look to get temp or if you're lucky (and good) permanent work on a desk.
From there you'll be able to make the contacts you'll need to get yourself in on the TV action next year.

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6. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"

Posted by Writers' Assistant Ninja on Mar-01-05, 05:36 PM (PST)

Fear not--
Despite how things can look like they're running away from you time wise during pilot season there are plenty of places looking for capable and hard working PA's. The secret as ESG put it... get in there, put your head down and get in the door, talk to the assistants at the show, ask for the production coordinator... see if they need a PA. Find out what all the pilots are (thefutoncritic.com is a great place to start) and then start cold calling. You never know where that can lead.
I was lucky enough to have three offers for script coordinator jobs this week just when panic mode was about to set in (thanks, Larry for offering to help though writer action message board -- luckily the ball started rolling not long after!)
I don't know too much about temp jobs - but I know Warner Bros. has a great list of open positions. Call their TV HR department and they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Good luck!
wan

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"Temping in the TV industry"
Posted by Gabrielle Lyon on Feb-24-05, 12:29 PM (PST)
I've just arrived in LA - sadly, from what I've read on the board, too late to get any jobs for pilot season. My understanding is that I will have to wait until May to even try to find work as a PA or WA. Here's my question: are there any temp agencies in LA that specifically deal with the TV industry? I'm a proficient and experienced admin assistant (it's how I put myself through college - I just graduated), and if I'm going to temp I'd rather do it in the industry than outside it, even if it's not on the production side. Any tips?
	Top

1. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
Posted by Employed Sitcom Gal on Feb-24-05, 08:43 PM (PST)
>Here's my question: are there any >temp agencies in LA that >specifically deal with the TV >industry? Dear Gabrielle, It can't be that easy, can it? An agent devoted to temps in show business would take all the challenge out of getting started, don't you think? I didn't think so... I think you need to bite the bullet and find all the production companies you can drive to and walk into. Studio security is difficult to get past, but most other companies have offices in various easy-to-enter buildings in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West L.A., Burbank, and North Hollywood. (Excuse me, I mean Studio City.) I would imagine that you could find them in the yellow pages and call their HR office to see if they need anybody. Be warned that "admin assistants" are everyplace in this town. That's what everybody who isn't a "Creative Executive" calls herself. That doesn't mean their qualifications are as good as yours, but let's face it, the best qualification is a boyfriend, husband, father, or uncle running the show. Any show. Is there anybody you can call who might know somebody who knows somebody? My own show could use a couple of capable people, but that doesn't mean we have any openings. The incapable people seem to have things sewn up tightly. That, my dear young woman, seems to be the way of the world. Your friend (rooting for you), ESG
	Top

2. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
Posted by Larry Brody on Feb-24-05, 09:15 PM (PST)
Not to be too self-serving, but TELEVISION WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT has about a hundred pages on where to hang and work and live in L.A. so you can get your foot in the door. The most important thing you can do, though, is make use of your friends and family. As ESG says, call everyone you know or are related to who might know someone who might know someone who might know someone else who's in the business. Then call that person and take him/her out to lunch. Be terrific. Be a friend. It's all about friendship here. Hence the old saying: "It's not enough for me to succeed. All my friends have to fail." Welcome to L.A.!
	Top


	3. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
	Posted by Kevin C. Sielky on Feb-24-05, 10:06 PM (PST)
	My two cents... First, get Larry's book to get a "lay of the land." It helped me out a great deal. A detailed road map that will help you a lot. As you have read, it is all about access in this biz. At least that is the message I am getting in my short detour into the entertainment world. A couple places where I have gained access is through one TV/Film networking group and another organization that holds events where you meet many levels of TV/Film production. Of course there is always the UTA list for job postings. Email for details...Good luck!
		Top

4. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
Posted by Delia on Feb-27-05, 09:48 AM (PST)
Hi Gabrielle, I just landed in town as well. I've got a few things lined up but they are mainly workshops and meetings. I'm not seeing any pay-gigs in my near future and I actually know a few people. If you want to share info, shoot me an email. Delia
	Top

5. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
Posted by jimjimgrande on Feb-28-05, 09:07 AM (PST)
Taking a bit more of a long term approach - You might take your admin skills to the HR departments of the mid and major talent agencies and look to get temp or if you're lucky (and good) permanent work on a desk. From there you'll be able to make the contacts you'll need to get yourself in on the TV action next year.
	Top


	6. "RE: Temping in the TV industry"
	Posted by Writers' Assistant Ninja on Mar-01-05, 05:36 PM (PST)
	Fear not-- Despite how things can look like they're running away from you time wise during pilot season there are plenty of places looking for capable and hard working PA's. The secret as ESG put it... get in there, put your head down and get in the door, talk to the assistants at the show, ask for the production coordinator... see if they need a PA. Find out what all the pilots are (thefutoncritic.com is a great place to start) and then start cold calling. You never know where that can lead. I was lucky enough to have three offers for script coordinator jobs this week just when panic mode was about to set in (thanks, Larry for offering to help though writer action message board -- luckily the ball started rolling not long after!) I don't know too much about temp jobs - but I know Warner Bros. has a great list of open positions. Call their TV HR department and they may be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck! wan
		Top