Production Assistant Bootcamp Coming to Hawai‘i Island on July 2
Nā Leo TV will host a one-day Production Assistant (PA) Bootcamp on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, designed to prepare aspiring media professionals for work on film, television, and digital production sets. The hands-on training will be held at Nā Leo TV’s Hilo Studio, 91 Mohouli Street, and is open to participants ages 18 and older.
Attendees will receive instruction and mentorship from seasoned industry professionals including Shawn Pila, Rob Khasen, Bruno Parnell, Sheldon Lehman, and special guest Tui Scanlan, President of IATSE Local 665. Participants will gain real-world insights, practical tools, and on-set experience to prepare them for entry-level PA roles across a variety of production environments.
“This bootcamp is about building our local creative workforce,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, President & CEO of Nā Leo TV. “With more productions coming to Hawai‘i Island, we want to ensure our workforce is prepared, connected, and confident stepping onto set.”
The full-day experience covers the fundamentals of working on a professional set, including understanding crew roles and production flow, learning proper walkie talkie protocols and set etiquette, and navigating essential paperwork such as call sheets and production reports. Participants will also engage in a series of skills labs such as safe gear handling, signage, and on-set logistics, and will take part in a production simulation where they rotate through various PA roles. The day also features guidance on breaking into the industry union, resume building, and learning how to join the union.
The day ends with a presentation of Production Assistant Certificates of Achievement and a networking pau hana.
The PA Bootcamp is part of Nā Leo TV’s broader mission to collaborate with local industry experts, grow local talent, increase career readiness, and strengthen Hawai‘i Island’s creative economy.
Registration is open at naleo.tv/pa-boot-camp. The cost to attend is $125 per person, which includes lunch and all workshop materials. Those who register by June 30 will receive a 20% discount using the promo code PA2025 at checkout. Space is limited and early registration is highly encouraged.
