If you’re starting out in the film industry, you’ve probably asked yourself this: should you work for free on film sets? It’s a hot topic and one that stirs up debate among filmmakers and crew. On the one hand, production assistants (PAs) deserve to be paid for their time. On the other, budgets on indie and micro-budget films are tighter than ever, and those early gigs can provide priceless experience.
I want to share my perspective on this question, based on my own journey and what I’ve seen over the years.
Why Payment Matters
I’ll be clear right up front — I believe PAs should be paid. When you’re getting paid, you treat the job as real work. You show up on time, you take it seriously, and you respect the responsibilities you’ve been given.
The challenge is that many indie filmmakers simply don’t have the money to pay PAs top dollar. When the entire movie is running on a shoestring budget, it’s tough to carve out hundreds of dollars a day just for one assistant. That doesn’t mean PAs don’t deserve it, but it does mean you need to understand the reality of budgets before turning down a job.
Looking at PA Work Like Background Acting
When I started in the business, I wanted to be an actor. I took background roles, not because I wanted to make a living at it, but because I wanted to be on set. I wanted to watch the stars work, see how the director ran the show, and notice how the camera team operated.
That’s how I think about production assistant jobs. Yes, you might be carrying cables or setting up lights, but you should also be observing the bigger picture. If your dream is to direct, watch how the director communicates. If you want to be a cinematographer, study the DP. A film set is the best classroom you’ll ever have.
The Value of Experience
Early in my career, before I ever had the chance to produce or star in films, I would have paid money just to be on a set. That’s how much the experience meant to me. I didn’t know how to behave on set, how the chain of command worked, or even the little details of day-to-day production.
Once I finally made it onto sets as a producer and actor, I realized how invaluable those early opportunities could have been. Being a PA, even for little or no pay, gives you that education. You see how everything fits together, and you build relationships that can lead to your next job.
When Free Work Makes Sense
So, should you work for free on film sets? My advice is this: if you’re brand new, it can make sense to take a low-paying or even unpaid PA gig. Do it once, maybe twice. Use it as your crash course in filmmaking. Learn, network, and figure out where you want to go.
But don’t keep doing it forever. Once you’ve gained that experience, you should start demanding fair pay. At that point, you bring value to the production, and you deserve to be compensated for it.
Final Thoughts on Working for Free
At the end of the day, being on a film set is priceless if your goal is to work in this industry. You’ll meet people, learn how movies are really made, and open doors to future opportunities. If taking one unpaid job helps you get there, it’s worth considering.
But be smart about it. Don’t undersell yourself forever. Build your foundation, then move forward into paid roles that match your goals.
That’s the balance you need to strike when you’re deciding should you work for free on film sets.
