The Art of the Assist. Part I

Live Events hire PAs all the time!

At Kincade Productions, we believe your first job on set as a Production Assistant is the most important one you’ll ever have. It’s where habits form, reputations start, and careers quietly take shape — often between coffee runs and cable coils.

That’s why we launched The Art of the Assist — a three-part blog series celebrating the unsung heroes of production and the professionals who teach them how to thrive in the chaos. Live events are constantly looking for PAs, and the corporate side is one of the best places to get your feet wet and start carving out your path in the media world.

This week, we’re talking with Rachel from Plumbago Productions, a Bay Area–based company that manages to juggle corporate events, video shoots, and live productions without setting anything on fire (a metric of true success). Her insights about what makes a great PA are gold for anyone trying to get their foot in the industry door — and keep it there. Rachel’s also an artist, and her work pulls you straight into worlds that feel just left of reality. It’s mysterious, a little fantastical, and honestly—just flat-out fun.

The Industry You Didn’t Know Existed

Most students picture a Hollywood backlot or a music video shoot when they think of “media careers.” But as Rachel points out, “It’s a huge industry — people just don’t realize it’s there.”

Plumbago operates in the world of corporate events — the massive, camera-packed productions where CEOs have cue cards and LED walls are taller than the average house. It’s creative, it’s high-pressure, and it’s one of the most consistent ways to make a living in media.

For students coming out of film or media programs, it’s a wake-up call: there’s more than one way to work in “the industry.”

What Makes a Great PA

Rachel didn’t hesitate when we asked what separates a good PA from a great one: “Flexibility,” she said. “Someone who can think outside the box — not by reinventing the wheel, but by using their head.”

Translation: be resourceful before being reactive.

Being a PA isn’t about busywork — it’s about awareness. It’s noticing the details that make everything run smoother: who’s waiting on a cable run, which camera is down, or which exec forgot their clicker five minutes before going on stage.

“Smart, proactive, flexible,” Rachel said. “That’s the trifecta.”

Attitude Is Everything

Ask anyone who’s survived a long show day: production is organized chaos. You’re managing moving targets, personalities, and logistics — often all before breakfast.

Rachel’s advice cuts through the noise: “You want to be an asset, not a liability.”

That means knowing when to step in and when to stay quiet. Clients and producers notice everything — including who stays calm under pressure. Enthusiasm helps, but self-awareness keeps you hired.

In short: be the calm in the storm. Or, at least, look like it.

The Secret Sauce: Camaraderie

When asked what she loves most about her work, Rachel didn’t hesitate: “The people.”

“Events feel more like family,” she told us. “It’s fast-paced, creative, and you build relationships that last. You’re at your most vulnerable sometimes, and that builds real camaraderie.”

We couldn’t agree more. Every project is a new family, a new problem to solve, and a new set of people who just get it. The PAs who thrive are the ones who lean into that spirit of teamwork — because that’s what gets you noticed, trusted, and promoted.

Why This Matters

At Kincade Productions, this is what we teach: professionalism isn’t just about skills — it’s about mindset. The art of the assist is a craft in itself, and it’s where every great career begins.

Rachel’s story proves it — when you show up curious, capable, and calm, you don’t just “assist.” You elevate the entire production.

Because in this business, the people who make things happen?
They always get called back.

Next up: Part 2 — “Built for the Show,” featuring Josh from Plumbago Productions on the secret life of corporate events, live shows, and the PAs who keep them running without a hitch.

 For more information on Plumbago Productions Click: https://www.plumbagoproductions.com/

For more information on Rachel’s artwork: https://www.messybeck.com/