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If you’re really serious about it, and you really just want to get in, just PA. Do whatever you can. Be a set PA, and then really just get to know everybody. Network how you can.
From the military to movie sets
On this crossover episode of Beyond the Budget and Inside Indies, Bishop Porter sat down with production accountant Brad Field, whose career journey is anything but ordinary. After 12 years in the US military, Field found himself transitioning into the film industry through an unexpected role on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
What started as a confidentiality coordinator job quickly evolved into a new career path. Field recalls, “It just so happened I put together a team of six or seven veterans… and that was how I initially fell into the film industry.”
Breaking into production accounting
Field’s turning point came in Boston, when he joined the accounting team on Detroit. Tasked with clerk-level data entry, he soon realized his military-honed organizational skills were a perfect fit for production accounting. “Being organized is a huge part of it,” he explained. The attention to detail—same as in the military—was critical.
From there, Field steadily advanced to second assistant on projects like Bird Box and Knives Out, later taking on first assistant roles, including The Book of Boba Fett. His career has spanned both studio blockbusters and independent films, giving him perspective on the similarities and challenges across budgets.
Lessons from indie productions
Field recently keyed his first low-budget feature, Stranglehold, in New Jersey. With no payroll accountant on staff, he handled every aspect of production finance. “I was the only person on that doing everything,” he shared, crediting payroll provider Media Services for critical support during a union flip.
For him, indie productions highlight the importance of adaptability and mastering incentive rules. “It’s really just learning,” he explains. Learning and details. “As long as you pay attention to that kind of stuff, it’s pretty simple.”
Advice for breaking in
When asked how newcomers should approach the industry, Field was candid: “If you’re really serious about it, and you really just want to get in, just PA. Do whatever you can. Be a set PA, and then really just get to know everybody. Network how you can.”
Field’s story underscores how persistence, resourcefulness, and openness to opportunity can turn an unconventional path into a thriving career.
Curious how these insights can help your production, like if you’re moving from non-union to union? Reach out to us today to learn how we can support you every step of the way.
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