Tv Or Film Assistant Director

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

39 to 41 irregular

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Tv Or Film Assistant Director

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
working towards this role
specialist courses run by private training providers

College / University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

film production
creative media production
film and television

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

You could start by taking a college course to help you get a job with a production company. Courses include:

Level 3 Diploma in Media Techniques
Level 3 Diplomas in Creative Media Production
Level 4 Diploma in Media Production Film-making

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

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.

Other Routes

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

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
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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, your day-to-day duties may include:

planning a filming schedule, taking into account the director’s ideas and the budget
managing the hire of locations, props and equipment
recruiting the cast and crew
making sure filming stays on schedule
supervising a team of 2nd and 3rd ADs and runners

As second or third assistant director you might be:

producing daily schedules
delivering messages between the set and the production office
dealing with paperwork
organising transport and hotels
making sure cast members are on set at the right times
directing the action in the background scenes

Working Environment

You could work on a film set, at a TV studio or at a film studio.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could progress to be a director, production manager or producer.

Volunteering Opportunities

You'll need relevant work experience to get a job as a runner. You can get this by volunteering 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.

Tips & 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.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.