HBO embraces inclusion—in its workplace, storytelling and productions—and continues this commitment with the Production Assistant Training Program, a partnership between HBO Corporate Social Responsibility and HBO Productions. The program is designed to help strengthen and build community relationships in the cities that host HBO & Cinemax shows. Through a collaboration with area film offices, diverse PAs are recruited to work behind the scenes on various productions. Young professionals get an excellent introduction to the industry, and HBO gains access to new talent. To share the program’s success, CSR needed the right tool to tell the full story—something simple, beautiful and on-brand, highlighting programming as well as personal, insider experiences.

HBO embraces inclusion—in its workplace, storytelling and productions—and continues this commitment with the Production Assistant Training Program, a partnership between HBO Corporate Social Responsibility and HBO Productions. The program is designed to help strengthen and build community relationships in the cities that host HBO & Cinemax shows. Through a collaboration with area film offices, diverse PAs are recruited to work behind the scenes on various productions. Young professionals get an excellent introduction to the industry, and HBO gains access to new talent. To share the program’s success, CSR needed the right tool to tell the full story—something simple, beautiful and on-brand, highlighting programming as well as personal, insider experiences.

In exploring the title, Production Assistant Training Program, the acronym surfaced as an ideal visual vehicle. We introduced a set of custom letters on the cover and placed them on each chapter page, adapting headlines to fit the established character limits. A large portion of development time included image selection—curating the best photos from a collection of thousands. Ultimately, the use of strong, duotone images of the PA experience plus personal testimonials and compelling narrative effectively represented the success of the program, from its origins to today and moving forward.

The book was distributed to a range of industry partners and tastemakers along with community contacts, and used to spark conversations about new opportunities for PA participation in upcoming productions. Additional materials include social media elements and a digital companion piece that will feature expanded program information and a link for PA candidates to submit their resumes.