A Day in the Life as a PA on a Pro Sports Shoot and What It Taught Me About Running Bigger Productions
About two hours into the shoot day, I found myself walking out of a Walmart into a torrential downpour. No rain jacket, just me and a shopping cart full of water and ice. I drove back to our shooting location and another PA with an open-air golf cart pulled up to haul us all down to the field. Five minutes later, we pulled up to set soaked to the bone. As we dripped our way under some cover, I had to laugh—this was not what I expected when I pictured my day as a production assistant for a commercial video shoot with a pro sports team and well known nutrition brand. And yet, it was exactly where I needed to be.
You see, working as a PA isn’t my usual gig. I’m typically behind the camera as a videographer or photographer, often running small crews or solo-shooting corporate video productions and branded content. But this time, I chose to take a step back. And it ended up giving me a bigger perspective on how large-scale productions are run and why specialized teams matter.
Why I Took a PA Gig (Even Though It’s Not My Normal Role)
I haven’t formally worked as a production assistant since about 2018. These days, I’m usually hired as a videographer or photographer for corporate events, brand shoots, or doc-style video projects. My teams are often small, sometimes just me, so I wear a lot of hats. But when this opportunity popped up, I said yes without hesitation.
Why? A few reasons:
The crew: A full-scale commercial production team of 23 people.
The client: A thriving nutrition and wellness brand I admire.
The talent: Professional athletes from a major sports team.
The experience: A chance to observe how large, high-end commercial video and photo shoots operate behind the scenes.
The pay wasn’t earth shattering, compared to what I could make as a videographer or photographer, but this job wasn’t about the money. It was about getting in the room, building relationships with producers and crew members, and gaining firsthand insight into how large commercial video and photo productions run efficiently and effectively.
What It’s Really Like Being a PA on a Commercial Set
Call Time & First Impressions
Call time was 9:30 a.m., but I rolled in 15 minutes early. Aside from the gear truck, I was the first to arrive. We were shooting at a professional practice facility, and right away, I was struck by the vibe. Pro athletes wandered around, hitting the sauna, stretching, and casually going about their morning routines. It was a stark contrast from my usual studio or corporate gigs. This was their home turf, and we were the guests.
First Tasks: Unloading, Setup, and Jumping In
My first job? Help unload the gear truck. We brought out tables, chairs, pop-up tents, camera equipment, lighting kits, backdrops, craft services—you name it. Once the rest of the crew showed up, we helped move everything onto the set to begin setup.
Each department knew exactly what to do. The camera team dialed in their rigs, the lighting team finessed the setup, hair and makeup got their station ready in the locker room, and the art department arranged the set design. Watching all these specialized pros do their thing was impressive. It was like watching a symphony, each department in sync, contributing their part to create a seamless experience for the client and talent.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments That Stuck with Me
There were so many little moments that made an impact on me. The athletes, for one, were a blast to work with—laughing, joking, and genuinely having fun on camera. When they wrapped, they took time to thank the crew, leaving the set in great spirits. That’s a testament to the director and producers but also to the whole crew for creating a smooth, positive environment.
Another standout moment? Dinner. There was a mix-up with catering, and one of the producers asked me to go around to every team member to re-collect their dinner orders. Not ideal in the middle of a busy shoot, but it turned into an unexpected highlight for me. It gave me the chance to personally connect with each crew member, learn their names (and their food preferences), and build rapport. Later, when I handed out those dinners, it felt good to provide a little happiness after a long day. Small task, big impact.
My Headspace Throughout the Day
I was running nonstop for most of the day, helping wherever I was needed: moving gear, making runs, or just being an extra set of hands. I made it a point to find windows of time to observe the camera and lighting teams, watch playback on the monitors, and study how the director worked with talent. I took pride in being a helpful presence, someone people could rely on.
And while I wasn’t in a creative role, I left feeling proud of how I contributed to the team’s success.
What I Learned: How Big Crews Operate and How I Can Apply It to My Own Productions
Specialized Roles Are a Game-Changer
Watching a crew of 23 specialists was eye-opening. Every person on set had a clear role, knew exactly what was expected of them, and executed flawlessly. There was no perceptable chaos, no overlapping responsibilities, no scrambling. Everyone stayed in their lane, cool, calm and collected, and the efficiency that came from that was incredible.
As someone who’s used to running small video shoots where I often juggle directing, filming, and producing at once, this was a revelation. On future projects, I’m going to prioritize bringing in specialists whenever possible. A focused team is a productive team.
Systems and Communication Keep Everything Running Smoothly
The crew ran on a tight schedule, but because each department operated autonomously, multiple things could happen at once. While hair and makeup worked their magic, the photo team captured stills, the video crew recorded their pieces, and the social team snagged additional content with the athletes. Producers kept everything on track, while the director kept talent engaged and comfortable.
I also took note of the communication styles. Clear, direct, respectful. The director and producers checked in often but trusted the team to handle their jobs. It made for a stress-free environment, even when things went sideways (like the rainstorm or dinner mix-up).
Client and Talent Experience Is Everything
At the end of the day, the goal was simple: make the talent feel good and deliver high-quality deliverables for the client. Every department contributed to that experience. From hair and makeup making sure athletes felt camera-ready to the art department designing an aesthetic backdrop, everyone had a role in creating a successful production.
It’s something I want to bring into my own work, whether I’m shooting a corporate event, a brand documentary, or social media content. The client experience doesn’t just happen in front of the camera; it’s the energy of the whole set.
Final Thoughts: Why Saying Yes to a Smaller Role Gave Me a Bigger Perspective
Taking on a production assistant role reminded me how much I still have to learn and how much I can gain by humbling myself and stepping into different shoes. It reinforced the value of teamwork, organization, and good leadership on set.
As I grow my videography business, I’m excited to implement what I learned:
Building specialized teams for bigger shoots
Streamlining workflows to keep things running smoothly
Prioritizing the client and talent experience at every step
And maybe, just maybe, bringing a rain coat next time.
Are You a Producer or Brand Looking to Create High-Quality Video Content?
I specialize in corporate video production, brand documentaries, and event videography & photography that connects with your audience and elevates your brand. Whether you’re planning a large-scale shoot with a pro team or an intimate doc-style project, I bring professionalism, creativity, and a collaborative spirit to every production.
📩 Let’s talk about your next project!
Contact me here or email me at kofilm.me@gmail.com.