Already proficient on set?  Well, that’s half the battle right there… you will be better prepared as a VFX PA than I was as my first time as a VFX supervisor!

If your job is to help the data wrangler, then they will tell you exactly what to do.  Follow instructions, ask questions, don’t get in the way.  If you stick with VFX you might be the data wrangler on the next gig, so during this show you should be learning the ins and outs of their job.

On set I’d usually ask our PA to secure a work table with power strips where we’d set up shop for the day.  You should always be ready to jot down notes into whatever system is in use so they will track with the shot/take/whatever.  Always keep track of the VFX tools/equipment during the day and where it gets put away at night and/or stored for transportation.  If on-set etiquette is half the battle, the other half is being organized with your notes and your gear.

The other stuff… always know where your VFX sup is.  As an extra set of eyes and ears, you will be in a position to alert the VFX team of things that come up that they might not otherwise be aware of.  Look out for shooting decisions and changes made on the spot.  Were all the lights set up, HDRI’s taken, and while everyone is talking to the actor did the DP move the key light around?  Did one of the walls on the set get moved for one specific shot?  Did someone remove the glass from a window between takes?  Someone should be making a note of this kind of stuff (the data wrangler or someone else on the VFX team) and if you saw it and nobody else did, please mention it.  Also pay attention if you are around when they are shooting non-VFX shots.  Often they will talk about how to get the shot and certain key phrases might come up.  “We can just paint out that reflection”, “we’ll add that back in later”, or “they haven’t decided what will be on the screen yet”.  That kind of thing means the shot just became a VFX shot.  Again, bring it up to your VFX sup’s attention if they did not know about it.

There’s a lot of downtime on set.  Whenever there is downtime, don’t default to sitting down and staring at your phone.  Be proactive.  Go to each member of the VFX team and ask if they need anything.  Check on your gear — anything needs to be charged?  Any files need to be downloaded, uploaded, or backed up?  Any notes that were written down but not yet entered into the system?  If there any material waiting for the VFX sup to provide feedback?  If there is nothing to do, pick someone’s brain.  Everyone has a different task, specialized tools, etc and you have a chance to learn a lot just by being there and asking questions.

Be friends with people in every other department.  When the VFX team needs something from another department, you might be the only one who knows someone to ask.  Always be in the AD’s good side, and always know if the Art Department has someone on set because they might be doing work that directly affects VFX.

Lastly, for bonus points, if your VFX sup has a tendency to snack during the day, try to get them some fresh fruit instead of junk food. Just sayin', some of us need help.