TV or film assistant director

Entry Requirements:

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:

• 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:

• 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

Entry requirements:

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 .

DirectApplication

You could join the Assistant Directors Guild UK for professional support.

OtherRoutes

You can take short courses in production skills for assistant directors run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• 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
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Assistant directors support directors by organising and planning everything on TV or film sets.

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

Location : You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or on a film set.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours irregular

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

Many assistant directors work freelance. With experience, you could progress to be a director, production manager or producer.