Production Assistants
Reliable PAs and runners keeping your Brazilian production running smoothly from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo.
Here is how this works in practice. Film production in Brazil demands PAs who know the local environment — from handling Rio de Janeiro's production infrastructure to setting up logistics in São Paulo and beyond. Our production assistants know the vendors, the routes, and the protocols that keep Brazilian shoots running on schedule. They handle everything from distributing call sheets and managing gear to setting up extras and running errands across the country.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with dependable production assistants through NeedAFixer's Brazil network. Our PAs bring hands-on experience from features, commercials, and series shot across Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, and beyond. Each PA arrives ready to support your crew with local knowledge, pro discipline, and the energy that long shooting days demand.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete PA Services
From set support to office administration, our production assistants provide the reliable help your production needs to operate efficiently.
01
Set PAs
- On-set support
- Lock-ups & crowd control
- Talent escort
- Walkie distribution
- General set assistance
On-Set Support
02
Office PAs
- Production office support
- Phone & communication
- Filing & organization
- Copying & distribution
- General admin tasks
Office Operations
03
Runners & Drivers
- Equipment pickups
- Catering runs
- Document delivery
- Airport transfers
- General errands
Logistics Support
04
Equipment Support
- Equipment loading
- Truck organization
- Gear distribution
- Inventory assistance
- Wrap support
Physical Support
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Production Assistants
01.
Local Knowledge
Here is what we have to work with. Our PAs know Brazil inside out — from Rio de Janeiro studio complexes to location logistics in São Paulo and Brasília. They handle local vendors, transport routes, and regional protocols so your production never misses a beat.
02.
Bilingual Support
English and Portuguese-speaking PAs who bridge the gap between global crews and local vendors. No language barriers slowing down your production in Brazil.
03.
Studio Familiarity
Our PAs know the major facilities from Estúdios Globo in Rio to Estúdios Quanta and BigBox in São Paulo, handling both traditional studio and location-based Brazilian shoots.
04.
Resourceful & Adaptable
Here is the layout. When plans change — and they always do — our PAs solve problems on the fly. Whether it's sourcing a last-minute prop, finding an alternative route, or handling an unexpected vendor issue, they keep your Brazilian production moving.
On Location
Brazilian PAs drawn from USP, PUC-Rio, FGV, and Escola de Cinema Darcy Ribeiro feeding São Paulo and Rio production offices
Here is how this works in practice. Brazilian production assistants graduate into the workforce via USP (Universidade de São Paulo, the largest university in Latin America), UNICAMP, PUC-Rio, FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas), ESPM, FAAP, Escola de Cinema Darcy Ribeiro in Rio, and Escola Britânica de Artes Criativas in São Paulo, supplying a steady pipeline of Portuguese-English-bilingual office and set PAs to production offices at O2 Filmes, Conspiração Filmes, Gullane, Casablanca, Estúdios Rio, RT Features, Videofilmes, and the Globo PROJAC tricky.
Here is how the picture comes together. On the ground, Standard duties cover call-sheet distribution via PIX/Frame.io/WhatsApp groups (WhatsApp is overwhelmingly dominant in Brazilian production communication), petty-cash and per-diem distribution, talent and director runs, lock-up at perimeter, walkie-distribution and battery rotation across ANATEL-licensed Motorola DP-series and Vertex VX-series radios, photocopying script revisions in the colour-coded Brazilian-Portuguese pagination convention, and on-set runner duties under the 2nd and 3rd ADs.
Here is the short of it. PAs are SindCine and SATED-RJ/SATED-SP-registered where applicable. With CLT entry-level contracts, FGTS 8% termination fund, INSS workers comp sign-ups (required), 13º salário (extra month annually), and 30-day paid vacation. Bilingual Portuguese-English PAs run global shoots natively. Spanish-Mercosul ease is common for Argentina-Uruguay-Paraguay-Chile cross-border crews. Brazil-Portugal lingua-Portuguesa co-shoots need minimal translation overhead. Production offices set up with Carnaval (February-early March) demand peaks. Salvador hosts the largest street carnival worldwide with Olodum, Ilê Aiyê, and Filhos de Gandhy blocos — plus Festival do Rio, Mostra São Paulo, Festival de Gramado (Kikito awards), and Festival de Brasília windows. Recent shoots staffed have Walter Salles's I'm Still Here, Kleber Mendonça Filho's Bacurau, Karim Aïnouz's Eurídice Gusmão, José Padilha's Elite Squad franchise, and Netflix's Narcos and The Two Popes. Currency advantage BRL ~5:1 USD keeps PA day-rates highly competitive on global shoots.
ACT 03
FAQ
PA Department Expertise
What do production assistants do on a Brazilian set?
Here is the breakdown. PAs give key support across all aspects of production — from set lockups and talent escort to gear handling and office admin. In Brazil, they also help handle local logistics, vendor relationships, and location-specific needs that global crews may not be familiar with.
Do your PAs speak English?
Yes, we give bilingual PAs fluent in both English and Portuguese for global shoots. They communicate effectively with your crew while handling local vendors, authorities, and situations that need Portuguese language skills.
What are typical working hours for PAs in Brazil?
Standard shooting days in Brazil run 10-12 hours, with late hours ruled by CLT labor rules. Night shoots, weekends, and holiday work carry premium rates negotiated through crew unions.
How quickly can you staff PAs?
For planned shoots, we recommend booking 1-2 weeks ahead. However, we keep relationships with reliable PAs across Brazil for last-minute needs and can often staff extra positions with 24-48 hours notice.
Do you provide overnight or weekend PAs?
Yes, we staff PAs for all schedules including all-night shoots, weekend work, and split days. Brazilian labor law under the CLT gives strong protections for crew, with unions playing an active role in film production. Late hours and rest rules are strictly enforced.
What experience do your PAs have?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Our PA roster ranges from entry-level pros eager to learn to skilled PAs with many feature credits on Brazilian shoots. We match experience levels to your needs — key positions get skilled PAs while general support can develop newer talent.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need Production Assistants?
Tell us about your production and we'll give reliable PA support.