Making your option choices in school? Get inspired and pick the future you want using our Option Choices tool, tips and guidance!

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 skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: LMI for All

Weekly

£970

Average

Monthly

£4,203

Average

Yearly

£50,440

Average

9,300

people are currently employed

High growth

600 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

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.

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'TV or film assistant director'

Select qualification level(s)

Show me courses

Other careers that you might like

  • Radio broadcast assistant
  • Stage manager
  • TV or film director
  • TV or film producer
  • TV or film production assistant
  • Video editor
Browse all job profiles

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Creative
View all industries

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.

Here are some of the 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.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

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.

Find the right course for you

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'TV or film assistant director'

View all courses

Search jobs and apprenticeships

View work opportunities