You will gain a clear overview of Production Assistant responsibilities across narrative, commercial, and unscripted projects. You'll learn how sets are structured, the key roles and departments involved, and where you fit into the bigger picture. Most importantly, you'll understand why P.A.s are essential to the success of every production.

Learn exactly what to bring — and what to know — to walk onto your first set with confidence, and every set after that. We’ll cover how to read call sheets, maps, and schedules, along with smart questions to ask and helpful agreements to have in place. You’ll also get insider tips and recommended tools to set yourself up for long-term success.

You’ll learn how a day on set actually runs, giving you real context for where you fit in and how to confidently find your place. We’ll cover everything from set logistics and zones to lingo, etiquette, expectations, and confidentiality. No two sets are the same, so you’ll also walk away with practical tools to help you adapt and thrive, even when things feel uncertain.

You’ll get hands-on training with real walkies and surveillances. We’ll cover how they work, understanding the various channels, walkie etiquette, and the lingo you need to know. You’ll run through realistic communication, check-ins, channel switching, and simulated calls — all to help you get comfortable with fast, clear communication. Walkies are all about urgency, clarity, and respecting the chain of command, and you’ll leave feeling confident using them on any set.

You’ll learn what a lockup is, why it matters, and the important role you play in making it happen. We’ll walk through how to properly set and hold a lockup, and you’ll get hands-on practice with real callouts so you can show up prepared and confident when it counts.

You’ll get a solid understanding of the key paperwork you’ll come across on set — so from day one, you’ll know what it is, how to navigate it, and where you might be able to step in and help. We’ll walk through everything from scripts, call sheets, and schedules to one-liners, Exhibit Gs, skins, DOODs, release forms, NDAs, production reports, and sides — giving you the confidence to handle it all like a pro.

At the end of the training, we want to leave you with real, practical advice you can actually use — how to not only get hired, but how to get hired again, and how to move through this industry the right way. We’ll talk through the do’s and don’ts, how to carry yourself socially and professionally, and how to make smart moves toward the departments you’re most excited about. Because we don’t just want you to work — we want you to grow.

You’ll leave with a high-quality physical workbook — something real you can hold onto, filled with everything we cover in training and even more in-depth info to help you keep learning long after the Lab ends.

You’ll also get our P.A. Survival Kit list (with links), a certificate of completion, and private access to the Production Lab online forum — a space where you can connect with past graduates, ask questions, share wins, find job leads, and just feel supported as you keep moving forward.

Plus, your name gets added to our official graduate list, which we share with productions who are looking for sharp, trained P.A.s.

The Production Lab community reaches far beyond Kansas City — so if you decide to move or grow into bigger markets, we’ve got your back. 

Locations we are currently networked within include: Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Washington, and Connecticut.  If you need help in these locations, we’ll help connect you with resources, guidance, and job leads to support your next step.