Hollywood might be all glitz and glamour but just what goes on behind the scenes on a movie set? What is it like to pander after Hollywood stars bringing coffee on demand and clearing up clutter? Here we take a look at a few of the facts about the life of a movie assistant…
They can make a lot of money (sometimes)
Movie assistants and celebrity assistants are always in demand even though there is a global recession on. Apparently, no matter what the economy is up to Hollywood’s finest are unwilling to give up their personal assistants no matter what the cost.
Yes, the schedules can be punishing and you can be on your feet 24/7 but if you can hack it, you will be handsomely rewarded. An assistant who travels with the stars can make up to $200,000 a year although some assistants make as little as $15 an hour…
Not all Stars are ‘nice’
George Clooney might be famous for being Mr Nice Guy on set, but not all stars are as caring and courteous. If you do happen to be one of the lucky assistants who get to work with the likes of George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica parker then your role could prove to be a rather enjoyable one.
Running to the coffee machine for Clooney can’t be the worst job in the world!
Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie are rumoured to be some of the nicest stars to work for and easy to get along with. On the other footing, it is not so long ago that temper tantrum Christian Bale threw a wobbler during the filming of the new Terminator movie and other hot tempered stars include Demi Moore, Russell Crowe and Sean Penn.
Taking on Ricki Lake…
Given the nature of her job, you could be forgiven by thinking that chat show host Ricky Lake is a friendly and gentle type. She even just completed a caring documentary exploring hospital conditions in a maternity ward… however, appearances can be deceptive and ask any personal assistant and they might beg to differ! Apparently, her unlucky assistant was asked to ‘clean up’ after Lake when she had just given birth… eeewwww!
You probably won’t get famous
A movie assistant is exactly that. You are there to fetch and carry and basically play dogsbody for the stars and crew. It is more a case of fetching coffee, ordering face creams, charging phone batteries and clearing clutter.
However, there is always a slim chance!
For example, Mark Cherry who created the hit show Desperate Housewives was the personal assistant to Dixie Carter when the actress was filming the TV show ‘Designing Women’. Apparently, Dixie Carter loved her assistant (Mark) so much and knowing he was a writer, she gave him his first breakthrough with a writing job for the Golden Girls!
It seems Mr Carter has not forgotten his friend and her kindness as he has just written her into a part on his hit show Desperate Housewives.
Heard any other horror stories about celebrity PAs? What gossip have we missed? Let us know below.
Featured images:
License: Creative Commons
image source
License: Creative Commons
image source
Nat Slater writes on a whole host of entertainment topics, covering celebrity culture, film trivia and all the latest gossip.
