What is an assistant director in film?

What is an assistant director in film and television?

The assistant director in film is responsible for a wide range of things. They are responsible for keeping the production on schedule, maintaining order on set, handle the health and safety of the cast and crew, handling logistics, creating the daily call sheet, and more. These responsibilities are entirely different from the assistant to the director. The assistant director, or AD, is not the director’s assistant, though their job is to support the director.

Historically, assistant directors were able to transition into directing roles (famously, Alfred Hitchcock was once an assistant director) but the role has changed dramatically throughout the years and now it is more common for an assistant director to build skills that will help them as a producer.

These terms are largely used in the American film industry, and the roles may differ in other regions or nations.

What are the different types of assistant directors?

• The first assistant director, or 1st AD, has assistant director responsibilities and supervises the 2nd AD. The first assistant director is the one in charge of running the set. This role is considered one of the highest below the line positions on a film set, meaning that while it is not technically a creative role, the 1st AD has a lot of authority. 
• The second assistant director, or 2nd AD, is supervised by the 1st AD. They are responsible for creating daily call sheets based on the production schedule. They also may relieve the 1st AD of other responsibilities, including getting cast through makeup and wardrobe and communicating with the cast. They also supervise the other ADs and extras/background actors.
  • The second second assistant director is hired to help the 2nd AD on larger or more complicated sets. They take duties off the 2nd AD’s plate and answer to them.
• The third assistant director, or 3rd AD, works with the 1st AD and perhaps the 2nd AD. Their duties are similar to that of the 2nd AD on bigger sets, and some feel the distinction is nebulous. They will often work on moving actors from base camp, arranging extras, and getting actors through hair and makeup.
• The additional assistant director, also known as the 4th AD, AAD, or key PA, has a variety of responsibilities. Sometimes they will act as both the 2nd AD and 3rd AD. They also may assist during logistically complicated or large scenes.