TV or film assistant director
Organise and plan everything on set, leaving the director free to deal with the creative side.
Also known as: AD
About the job
What it's like
You would organise and plan everything on set, leaving the director free to deal with the creative side.
You would be known in the industry as an 'AD'. Most productions use a team of assistant directors, with a 1st AD, at least one 2nd AD and possibly one or more 3rd ADs, each with different tasks.
1st ADs have the greatest responsibility. In this job you would do much of the planning before production begins, and you would manage the set during filming. As a 1st AD, you would:
Work with the director to decide the order of shooting
Plan a filming schedule, taking into account the director’s ideas and the budget
Oversee the hire of locations, props and equipment
Help recruit the cast and crew
Make sure that filming stays on schedule
Supervise a team of 2nd and 3rd ADs and runners
Try to keep the cast and crew motivated
Be responsible for health and safety on set
2nd ADs support the 1st AD and make sure that their orders are carried out. As a 2nd AD, you would:
Produce and give out call sheets (lists of timings for the following day's shoot)
Be the link between the set and the production office
Deal with paperwork
Organise transport and hotels
Make sure that cast members are in make-up, wardrobe or on set at the right time
Find and supervise extras on productions where there is no 3rd AD
3rd ADs assist 2nd ADs, 1st ADs and location managers on set. As a 3rd AD, you would:
Make sure extras are on set at the right time and place
Brief the extras and give them cues
Direct the action in background crowd scenes
Act as a messenger on set
Hours
Your working hours could be long and irregular, according to the demands of each production. They may often include evenings and weekends.
Environment
You could work in TV/film studios or outdoors, depending on the production.
Travel
Work may be anywhere in the UK or overseas, so working conditions will vary depending on where the production is being filmed.
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Related industries
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Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- creative
- resourceful
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- working with technology
- developing a plan
- reliable
- resilience
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Drama
English
Media
Performance Arts
Skills for Work: Creative Digital Media
Skills for Work: Creative Industries
Foundation Apprenticeship: Creative and Digital Media
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are no set qualifications required to enter this role.
The key to becoming an assistant director is to get practical experience of the production process, and also to develop a network of contacts in the industry.
Employers are usually more interested in your experience, enthusiasm and initiative than your formal qualifications.
Although it's not essential, it can be helpful to study film, video or media production before you look for work, especially courses that include practical skills and work placements.
You can enter some Technical Theatre National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2-6) with no formal qualifications but most courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a relevant degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires a minimum of four highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
Qualifications and experience that show understanding of the industry, creative, management and production skills such as Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCFQ level 4) or relevant college or university qualifications such as a Higher National Diploma in Creative Industries: Television (SCFQ level 8).
There are also a number of industry bodies that can offer relevant training and qualifications such as the British Film Institute.
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