administrator

senior communication specialist

operations coordinator

division director

communications officer

Directors Guild of Canada

Working on major film sets (Total Recall, Robocop, Suits, etc) is a very exciting job with an incredible amount of responsibility-- though there is no 'typical day'.  

Depending on the demands of the location, the shot, or the directors' vision the job could change drastically and encompassed anything from working directly with major celebrities to make sure they adhere to a tight timeline, keeping 7 different departments informed of real-time changes, or organizing and processing groups of 400 or more performers.

I reported directly to the senior Assistant Director team, who were different on each show and usually great people.  The most challenging part of the job was the long-hours, often consisting of 18 hour days or 100 hour weeks.

The most enjoyable part of the job was both the autonomy to make decisions and the environments.  50% of the shoots were in a studio the other 50% were on-location at some beautiful and truly unique sets across Toronto and the surrounding area that typically aren't accessible to the public.

Was hired for a starter position and it was fantastic. Unfortunately I did not know at the time of hiring that there was a high turnover rate in midlevel positions. This could be because the highest people in the office answer to members of the Guild who are actual film and TV directors. They are the ones who essentially make decisions.
I held four different positions in five years of working there. Not something unusual in that environment.

Everyday on set can be different then the last in terms of what you're filming, however the day to day duties remain very much the same.

Through my positions on set I have learned to work in a fast paced environment under stress and with many stressed co-workers. I have learned to deal with high profile individuals and multi-task.

The hardest part of the job is by far the work hours (average 15 hours a day) and lack of sleep.

The most enjoyable part of the job are the interesting things you may be filming (i.e. stunts).

What is the best part of working at the company?
Finally people who treat people as people and not just a number 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Managing your health with long filming hours and rollercoasters f emotions 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
free, and inspiring in a world with no hope

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
everyday is different. I wouldn't trade one day I was with the DGC

What is the best part of working at the company?
Creative outlet
Great pay
Great health benefits

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The time between contracts and the the ebb and flow of the industry

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Fast paced, intense and detail oriented 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Long
Frantic
Always different
12-14 hour days

What is the best part of working at the company?
No comment at this time. At all.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Getting work. Any work. At all.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Great, completely awesome people. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
14 hours plus, long shifts, it's the nature of the industry.

Long days with many options of your job for the day. Can move up into numerous positions from the starting position as a PA. I've learned the basics of film and how to have a easily successful none stressful day through experience. Most enjoyable part of the job is the crew that becomes your family. Hardest part turns out to sometimes be the long days.

The Directors Guild of Canada has failed to evolve as the industry progresses. It is run by people who have more or less failed in the business and instead of promoting the growth of it's own members, it provides grants and recognition to non members who haven't worked a day on a DGC production.

If you don't need sleep ever, or can stay in a general same spot for 13+ hours , then this is the job for you. A lot of people can't handle the hours of being a production assistant so keep in mind the hours you will have to work and say good bye to any kind of social life.

Working in film can be alot of fun. But its also hard work and long hours in all types of weather.  Guild members are expected to find their own work on productions which can be difficult during the slow season.  When it's busy, there are  plenty of work opportunities. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Administrator 1 salary reported	$42,500 per year
Senior communication specialist 2 salaries reported	$72,500 per year
Operations coordinator 1 salary reported	$55,000 per year
Division director 1 salary reported	$72,500 per year
Communications officer 1 salary reported	$42,500 per year

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