In the last couple of years there has been an explosion in filming throughout New York City almost daily. Crew members like production assistants can be seen running around, helping shut down traffic or detour pedestrians. They weave through the city streets exasperated on coffee runs or scramble around with walkie talkies in hand. As staples to the industry, these assistants have always worked long arduous hours for next to nothing. For decades it had been custom for production assistants in these entry level positions to grin and bear it especially if they wanted to get \u201ca foot in the door\u201d and move up in the field.<\/p>\n
Even though production assistants work on these prestigious projects, there is nothing glamorous about working 12+ hour days and earning less than minimum wage. Most production assistants earn a day rate of around $100 starting work hours before \u201ccall time\u201d and working way after the crews on set wrap up. These numbers unfortunately put them under the minimum wage and also highlight the fact that they aren\u2019t offered overtime pay at time and a half what their regular hourly rate should be. Positions such as production assistants and other entry level positions at publishing houses, glossy magazines, and consulting groups are most often affected.<\/p>\n