At Kincade Productions, we believe every great production career starts with one thing: the willingness to assist — and to do it well.
Over the past few months, we’ve heard from Rachel and Josh at Plumbago Productions — two pros who’ve built their careers by mastering the chaos of live events and never losing sight of what makes a great team tick.
Now, in our final chapter, we’re bringing their wisdom together to talk about the long game — how small assists become big opportunities, and why helping others is still the fastest way to move up in this business.
From Assist to Asset
“Every producer I know started as a PA,” Rachel told us when we caught up again to wrap the series. “The ones who last are the ones who never lose that mindset — the willingness to help, learn, and make other people’s jobs easier.”
Josh agreed. “Exactly. You don’t outgrow being an assistant. You just start assisting at a higher level — producers, clients, the project itself.”
That mindset — showing up to make things run smoother, even when no one’s watching — is the secret to getting noticed. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being reliable, adaptable, and aware. Those are the traits that turn a PA into an indispensable part of the team.
The Long Game
Rachel and Josh are both clear: this career is built one day at a time.
“You can have one killer show day,” Josh said, “but if you’re late the next morning, that’s what people remember. Reputation is cumulative.”
Rachel added, “You want to be the person people trust. That’s what keeps you on the call sheet.”
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The people who keep getting called back are the ones who bring consistency, calm, and collaboration — even when the gear cases are heavy and the call time starts with a 4.
Why It Still Matters
At Kincade Productions, we teach our students that assisting isn’t a stepping stone — it’s a discipline.
Every cable you coil, every question you ask, every time you help without being asked — that’s how you learn the rhythm of production. It’s where you develop instincts that no classroom can teach.
The best assistants don’t just complete tasks; they absorb how professionals think, communicate, and solve problems. They’re already producing — just on a smaller scale.
The Final Word
Rachel put it best: “Helping others is how you build your own path. Every assist plants a seed.”
So whether you’re on your first set or your fiftieth, remember this: the way you assist today defines where you’ll stand tomorrow.
Because in this business, the people who lift others up are the ones who rise fastest.
That’s the real art of the assist.
That’s a wrap on our three-part series, The Art of the Assist.
Huge thanks to Rachel and Josh from Plumbago Productions for sharing their time, stories, and hard-earned wisdom.
If you missed Parts 1 or 2, check them out below — and stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insight from the pros who keep productions running strong.
Read Part 1: The Industry You Didn’t Know Existed
https://www.kincadeproductions.com/blogs/g45fjanmt2kgewkm88kf24l5hpwn46
