Your production assistant cover letter needs a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Producers want applicants who can deliver, and you have only seconds to prove it.
The good news? It’s not hard to write a well-paced PA cover letter. You know—one that gives producers that Barton Fink feel. It comes down to knowing what the studio values in a PA, then combing through your resume to make a highlights reel that gets them standing in the aisles. So without further ado, let’s see how to write a production assistant cover letter.
This guide will show you:
- A production assistant cover letter better than 9 out of 10 others.
- How to write a cover letter for production assistant jobs that lands 10x more interviews.
- Why doing your research first is key to getting hired.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Considering other creative jobs? See:
- Journalism Cover Letter Sample
- Acting Cover Letter Sample
- Event Manager Cover Letter Sample
- Graphic Design Cover Letter Sample
- Interior Design Cover Letter Sample
- Photographer Cover Letter Sample
- Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions
Changing careers? Hunting your first job? See:
This production assistant cover letter template does it right:
Production Assistant Cover Letter Sample
Robert Nylons
Production Assistant
29–27 41st Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101
robert.nylons.zety@gmail.com
718-444-3321
linkedin.com/in/robert.nylons.zety
3/18/20
Logan Valencia
Producer
Resnick Studios
S986 Small Street
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Valencia,
I’m writing to apply for the production assistant opening at Resnick Studios. I’ve been a big fan of your work since you produced the Tonight Show in the early 2010s. I believe my 3+ years of experience at Kaufman Studios and the Nekatano Agency have readied me to manage schedules, handle overviews, and maximize efficiency at Resnick Studios.
Your job ad lists scheduling, research, and dressing room setup as key responsibilities. I think I’m a fit based on:
- Scheduling. Created new production calendar with input from producers that raised productivity by 15%.
- Research. Conducted story research and created research template that cut time-to-post-production by 18% across all story segments.
- Dressing room setup. Set up dressing rooms for top-tier and low-tier stars daily. Some of my additions resulted in a 25% increase in thank you notes from talent.
I’m really excited about the chance to work for such a prestigious cultural icon as [Studio or Company Name]. That said, I know from experience that the role is all about the hard work, meticulous preparation, and efficiency that make a studio run smoothly. Could we set up a time to discuss next steps in the process?
Best regards,
[Your Name], Production Assistant
[Phone Number]
[Email]
That cover letter for production assistant jobs could get you in at WB.
Your resume is even more important than your cover letter. See our guide: Production Assistant Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Now, here’s how to write production assistant cover letters that work:
1. Use the Right Production Assistant Cover Letter Template
Your production assistant cover letter has to work like an enticing movie trailer. That means from the first moment, the producer has to know she’s in good hands. Your cover letter layout is the first shot. Pay attention to your margins, cover letter fonts, and spelling, and use the respected 3-paragraph format.
Use this template when formatting your cover letter:
Sample Production Assistant Cover Letter—Checklist
- your contact info
- the studio’s contact info
- Dear [Producer Name],
- first paragraph: hook them like Tarantino
- second paragraph: prove key skills their job ad asks for
- third paragraph: spur them to action
- best regards plus name & title
Pro Tip: Do production assistant jobs need a cover letter? Every time. There are 790 new PA jobs per year, but 50,000 film school graduates looking for first jobs.
2. Start Your Production Assistant Cover Letter Right
Fade in—then? Get their attention. Your cover letter for production assistant positions is like a shooting script. It needs a save the cat moment at the top. That can be a big accomplishment or something you love about the studio. Either way, you have to get them on board fast.
See these how to start a cover letter examples:
Production Assistant Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
| Right Example |
|---|
Robert Nylons Production Assistant 29–27 41st Ave Long Island City, NY 11101 robert.nylons.zety@gmail.com 718-444-3321 linkedin.com/in/robert.nylons.zety 3/18/20 Logan Valencia Producer Resnick Studios S986 Small Street New York, NY 10036 Dear Mr. Valencia, I’m writing to apply for the production assistant opening at Resnick Studios. I’ve been a big fan of your work since you produced the Tonight Show in the early 2010s. I believe my 3+ years of experience at Kaufman Studios and the Nekatano Agency have readied me to manage schedules, handle overviews, and maximize efficiency at Resnick Studios. |
Why does that cover letter sample for production assistant jobs work? It starts with Mr. Valencia’s name, then shows you know who you’re talking to. Then it gives a quick snapshot of your PA skills.
But this production assistant cover letter example will get panned:
| WRONG EXAMPLE |
|---|
Dear Producer, I’m a production assistant with 3+ years of experience and skills in Adobe Premiere, research, call sheets, and operating camera booms and lighting booms. I think I’d make a great addition to your team because of my excellent communication skills and efficiency. I’m well-known for my ability to get important jobs done around the studio. |
Why doesn’t that work? Because it could be from anyone, to anyone. There’s no indication you know thing one about the studio. You might have photocopied this and sent it to 100 production companies.
If you don’t make it clear you care about the job, they won’t care about you, either.
But—what about a production assistant cover letter with no experience?
Cover Letter for Entry-Level Production Assistants [Examples]
In a cover letter for production assistants with no experience, start with:
- A fact that draws you to the studio
- A news item about the studio
- A big film school or college achievement
- Relevant successes from non-TV and film jobs
- A referral
- An award or honor
See these production assistant cover letter examples with no experience:
| Right Examples |
|---|
|
Rave reviews.
Those beginnings for cover letters for production assistants with no experience beat, “Please find my resume enclosed...”
Pro Tip: When you send an email cover letter, you don’t need to add it as a PDF. It can go in the text of the email. You can make it shorter and leave off the street address.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.
When you’re done, our free resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
3. Connect Your Production Assistant Cover Letter to the Job
Your production assistant cover letter needs a second act. Just like with a great production, it has to matter to the audience. This is where we broach the “R word”—research. Learn what the studio wants and why they want it. That’s the only way to get the green light.
In paragraph two:
- Reiterate the skills they want.
- Prove those skills are in your repertoire.
See these production assistant cover letter examples:
Production Assistant Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
| Right Example |
|---|
Your job ad lists scheduling, research, and dressing room setup as key responsibilities.I think I’m a fit based on:
|
Cut! Print it.
But—
The next of our production assistant cover letter examples is low-def:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I have worked hard to support my teams over the past three years. I am a strong team player who has a knack for seeing what needs doing, and doing it without being asked. My goal is always first and foremost to help support the most successful production possible. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool professional who works hard to get things done. Several of my past directors have commended my skills and efforts. |
Maybe it’ll have a cult following?
If you talk about your PA skills in vague terms, you’ll flop. To create a box office hit, know the studio’s needs and prove you’ll meet them. Saying you’re a hard worker or that “several” past directors have commended you is like a story with no script.
Pro Tip: A cover letter should say you like the studio, you understand the studio, and you have the skills. Without that 3-act structure, your job application will get bad reviews.
4. End Your Production Assistant Cover Letter Strong
The last paragraph of your production assistant cover letter should spur action. But how can you make them want to interview you? If you followed the script so far, you’re well on your way. Now, write a third act that comes right out and asks for what you want. Add more skills to seal the deal.
See these cover letter ending examples:
Cover Letter Examples for Production Assistant [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
I’m really excited about the chance to work for such a prestigious cultural icon as Resnick Studios. That said, I know from experience that the role is all about the hard work, meticulous preparation, and efficiency that make a studio run smoothly. Could we set up a time to discuss next steps in the process? Best regards, Robert Nylons Production Assistant robert.nylons.zety@gmail.com 718-444-3321 |
That’s a wrap.
You mentioned more production assistant skills. You talked about the future, and asked for the interview.
But the next of our production assistant cover letter samples won’t get any buzz:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Thank you for reading my cover letter and resume. |
Pro Tip: Use the same cover letter heading in both your letter and your resume. They should look identical in case they’re separated on the producer or director’s desk.
Key Takeaway
Here’s how to write a production assistant cover letter:
- Use the right production assistant cover letter format. Select professional fonts, and set your margins at one inch.
- Begin your letter with the producer’s name and a Sony-level fact about you.
- Use the second paragraph to show you understand the studio’s needs. Then tease some past accomplishments.
- In the last paragraph, ask for the interview.
Not sure how to start your production assistant job cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for production assistant positions that makes the phone ring? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
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