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TV or film assistant director
AD
Assistant directors support directors by organising and planning everything on TV or film sets.
Average salary (a year)
£0
Starter
£0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
irregular
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; working towards this role; specialist courses run by private training providers
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in
film production, creative media production, film and television, drama or theatre studies, business
Courses that include practical skills and work placements are usually the most useful.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could start by taking a college course to help you get a job with a production company. Courses include
Level 3 Diploma in TV and Film Production, Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology, T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production, Level 4 Diploma in Media Production Film-making
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
search for courses|/find-a-course
Work
You might start as runner or production assistant on set, and work your way up to 3rd or 2nd assistant director (AD). It can take several years to progress from being a runner through to 1st AD.
Volunteering
You'll need relevant work experience to get into an entry level job like a runner, from where you could work your way up. You could volunteer for student or community film and TV projects.
You can also search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge.
Direct Application
You could join the Assistant Directors Guild UK for professional support.
Other Routes
You can take short courses in production skills for assistant directors run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
More Information
Career Tips
It's important to get practical experience of the production process. You'll also need a network of contacts in the industry to help you find work.
You may find it useful to train in health and safety, as this is likely to be part of your duties.
Further Information
You can find out more about careers in film and TV from ScreenSkills.
You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of media production and communication
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    The ability to work well with others
    Leadership skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Ambition and a desire to succeed
    Broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
Most productions use a team of assistant directors (ADs). First, second, and third assistant directors have different jobs.
As first assistant director, you could
plan a filming schedule, taking into account the director’s ideas and the budget, manage the hire of locations, props and equipment, recruit the cast and crew, make sure filming stays on schedule, supervise a team of 2nd and 3rd ADs and runners
As second or third assistant director you might
produce daily schedules, deliver messages between the set and the production office, deal with paperwork, organise transport and hotels, make sure cast members are on set at the right times, direct the action in the background scenes
Working environment
You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or on a film set.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
Many assistant directors work freelance. With experience, you could progress to be a director, production manager or producer.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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