For many, being a PA is their first step into the exciting world of film, television, and commercials. Whether it be running coffee and locking up, to signing paperwork and organizing hundreds of extras on set, being a PA, (much to the disbelief of your parents, who want you in a "real" job), can be a daunting task. It's scary, it truly is. To go from film school to the wild world of multimillion dollar movie sets can be, at best, intimidating; at worst, bone shaking and paralyzing. That said, there's not as much to fear as you think. Everyone started somewhere; and, whether you have aspirations to become the next Kubrick, or plans to become a brilliant prop master or AD, there's something to be said about knowing what it's like to be at the bottom. This post will go into that. What do you need on your first day? How should you act? What should you look out for? These are but a few topics that'll be covered in this essential piece. Essential because, hell, even Spielberg PA'd.