Behind the Scenes as a Production Assistant
After working on The Culling, I was invited to join the crew of Posted, the fourth and final short film of my 2024 acting and filmmaking course with YAA (Young Actors Assembly), as Production Assistant.
Filming took place at the McDonald College of Performing Arts in Strathfield. Getting there from Clovelly at such early hours was a challenge. Fortunately, I was able to travel with my drama teacher David Cuthbertson, who was also the Producer of the film. Our first day began at 6:30am and ended around 8pm – 13 hours on set! The next two days were slightly shorter, but still ran close to 12 hours each. I definitely wasn’t prepared for how physically demanding the days would be, but I quickly learned that long hours are just part of the film industry.
Over the three days, my main responsibilities included:
- Escorting actors and crew from the parking lot to their rooms
- Managing the slate (clapperboard)
- Ensuring a quiet set during takes
- Assisting the gaffer with lighting setups
Over the three days, my responsibilities included greeting and escorting actors and crew from the parking lot, managing the slate, maintaining a quiet set during takes, and even assisting the gaffer. I also had the chance to try focus pulling under the guidance of the First AC. While I nailed the practice run, I struggled a bit on the actual take, but it was a great learning experience. I made a point of asking questions and offering help wherever I could, which gave me insight into a variety of roles I hadn’t encountered before, like the Script Supervisor, Art Coordinator, and Co-Producer. Thanks to the skills I demonstrated on set, and with the support of the crew, I was offered roles on future productions, including Art Department Assistant on Backfoot and Production Assistant on The Intervention.
Posted faced a few last-minute crew changes, most notably, the Director and DoP (Director of Photography) were replaced just three days before filming began. Fortunately, the new team were incredible assets. Acclaimed Australian filmmaker Ronnie S. Riskalla (IMDb) stepped in as Director, and watching his process was a masterclass in itself. It was fascinating to observe his directing style and compare it to others I’ve worked with – seeing both the similarities and the differences helped me better understand the many ways a director can approach a film.
Being part of the Posted team was an unforgettable experience. It pushed me, taught me, and helped me grow – both personally and professionally. The film premiered at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington, and seeing the final product on the big screen was a proud and inspiring moment.
