Random Hollywood Film Production Assistants Reveal Their Worst Horror Stories From Working On Set (10 items)

• (#1) A Sickly Situation

  From Redditor/u/coreymorrisonyo:

  Normally I do AC/Grip, but a friend hooked me up with a well-paid PA gig on a television pilot for a major network that was shooting in a city close to mine. The day went dandy until about the 12-hour mark, when I witnessed the most unprofessional behavior I've ever seen, from the second assistant director (2nd AD), no less.

  Three extras had been asked to stay late because the production wanted to use their cars in a scene. One of the extras became dehydrated (this was stated by the medic); she vomited several times and almost passed out. She waited around for a bit and regained her composure and then was peer pressured by a few members of the production into staying. Needless to say, I had an eyebrow raised.

  I was instructed to drive her car for her during the scene since she said she was still feeling a little ill, but no longer vomiting. On the way to the location for the scene, I asked her if she really wanted to do this. I told her she could back out at any minute and no one would think less of her. I told her, after being as sick as she was, that she should probably leave. I could tell she was nervous and didn't want to let the 'big-shot TV people down,' So she insisted on staying.

  Once we arrived at the location, she became ill again and was on her knees vomiting outside the car. I gave her a hair tie, tissues, and called the medic on the walkie and asked the medic to come to the location. I was cut-off by the 2nd AD and instructed to 'send her home.' I said 'She can't drive, she's on her knees vomiting, she needs the medic!' The 2nd walked over to me and got in my face. Keep in mind, this guy is about 40+ years older than me (I'm 26). I tried to explain that I didn't know the way back to the base-camp because we had followed a caravan over to the location and that she was very ill and now covered in puke and needed the medic ASAP. He began to scream at me, then he literally plugged his ears and said 'Blah, blah, blah! I don't give a flying f*ck! She drove herself here, she can drive herself home!'

  I was stunned. F*cking STUNNED. I helped the girl put her vomit-covered shoes back in the car and I again took the driver's seat. We eventually made it back to base-camp after a few phone calls to friends on the production crew. The medic took care of her and I apologized to her like crazy on behalf of the way the 2nd AD acted and assured her that this is not how productions are suppose to be. The medic saw to her and her family came to pick her up, because she was far too ill to drive.

  This is hands the down worst experience I've ever had on set and it's hands down the largest production I've been a part of. This was for a major network. Can you believe that sh*t? You know what's ironic? That 2nd AD is one who gave the safety meeting at the beginning of the day. If I had done what he said and made her drive herself home, she could have passed out and crashed. If someone's safety is on the line, stand your ground, no matter what. Don't be intimidated, you know right from wrong. Even if you're a PA being yelled at by some off-his-rocker 2nd AD. Never bend, not for anyone.

  I left the production and shook hands with everyone at the end of the night, except for him. He didn't even look my way. I hope that d*ckhead never gets another gig. I'm thinking seriously about calling that major network and informing them of this d*ckhead's negligence. But here's where things get hairy... Will they care? Will they believe me (there was witnesses)? Will I get blacklisted?"
• (#10) Staying Safe

  From Redditor/u/Pocket_Ben:

  I wasn't specifically told to do this, but while I was working on a reality show in a hotel the director of photography was up on a ladder shooting when a ton of condoms spilled out of his coat pocket onto floor. I had to quickly pick them up and put them back in his coat (by doing the reach-around) while he was still shooting and people were walking by.
• (#8) Eat Up

  From Redditor/u/b2therian:

  I PA'd for Ian Ziering (of Sharknado fame) and he requires 24 oz. of organic rotisserie chicken every four hours as part of his diet. Needless to say, I visited California Chicken Cafe a lot that day.
• (#7) Wild For Water

  From Redditor/u/myhouseisabanana:

  I was working for this coked-out first assistant director this past year who really loved water. On the third or fourth day we got screamed at because we hadn't given him enough water. Now, mind you, he hadn't been asking for them; we were just supposed to randomly know that he wanted water and stick it in his hand. This was a grown man.

  There's a few stories about this guy.
• (#3) An Act Of True Justice

  From Redditor/u/DarTouiee:

  I had to wipe the top of a door frame so no water dripped onto the top of Steven Seagals's head during a transition from under an umbrella to inside the door of the studio. On True Justice. But he did things so much worse than that...
• (#9) A Prized Position

  From Redditor/u/dr_crime:

  A reality shoot where I was asked to round up a farmer's prized chickens so they wouldn't get caught in cross-fire of a flame thrower.

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