J R

Hahaha

I realize that - I'm just responding with thanks to those who provided insight. I don't plan on using my real name, so I promise I won't be posting any new questions as I did understand from your first comment that anonymity is not allowed. Sorry, but I don't want to just leave these nice responses hanging with no thanks!

Thanks again! Didn't think of rental houses, that's a good idea... and should try to be more vocal on set, hopefully in time it will become more natural to me!

Thank you to all - will try to edge in there more without stepping on any toes... do occasionally bring coffee to the DoP but usually in the form of dashing onto set, handing it off, and running away because he's in the middle of it. And I guess maybe fake-it-till-I-make-it on non-paying gigs on the weekends... Apologies for the anonymity, I understand the rules now and won't post again.

When I was in college, I discovered a love of photography and cinematography - I took all of the available courses at my university, some at the art school in the city, and did a semester exchange program of 16 mm production at NYU. However, my school did not have a degree option for film, and limited resources, both equipment-wise and career counseling-wise. I hoped to get into the industry after graduation and somehow soak up more technical know-how on set. I am now 4 years out of college and currently work as a PA in NYC. I've realized that my plan was a bit naive. I work 16-18 hour days, most hours of which are devoted to bringing coffee orders to the ADs, locking the perimeter of set, and controlling background actors in a holding area. Obviously, not much time or opportunity to network or work on my reel outside of the day job (not to mention I make $9 an hour and pay NYC rent, so no extra cash for fancy equipment of my own). I realize that I have work that loads of people would love to have, so I'm not really complaining, but I have come to a crossroads. I definitely don't want to be an AD (logical endgame of PAing, as far as I can tell), but I'm clearly not making the connections or building the reel I need to work toward a career as a DoP. I have a very good eye, but as I said not much real-world experience or technical confidence. Also worth noting is my gender, female - not a problem for me strength-wise as I can easily lift at least 50 pounds above my head, but I am relatively small in stature and frame so I don't think I would come to mind as a good candidate for the camera department, regardless of my hustle on set (seeing me, well-meaning coworkers might assume I'm not as strong as I am, and it's not like I can give on-the-hour weight-lifting demos). Hard to strike that balance between proving I could be of use and avoiding being in the way... Any tips? Should I quit the day job, get something unrelated that will pay the bills, and work on beefing up my art and technique and reel on the side?? Thanks.