Assistant directors, known as ADs, support the director by organising and planning everything on set, leaving them free to concentrate on the creative side. Tasks include planning filming schedules, organising the daily running order on set, and recruiting cast and crew.

Tasks:

1. Working with the director to break the script down into a shot-by-shot ‘storyboard’ and decide the order of shooting
2. Planning a filming schedule, taking into account the director’s ideas and the available budget
3. Overseeing the hire of locations, props and equipment
4. Recruiting the cast and crew
5. Making sure that filming stays on schedule
6. Supervising a team of 2nd and 3rd ADs and runners
7. Motivating the cast and crew

Key skills for Assistant Director:

• Good communication and 'people skills'
• The ability to lead and motivate others
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Initiative
• A flexible and adaptable attitude
• Good administrative skills
• Calmness under pressure

Average salary (2014):

The United Kingdom: £23,000 per year
The United States of America: $75,019 per year
Australia: AU$62,830 per year

Qualifications and training required:

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 and your enthusiasm and initiative than your formal qualifications.

You will develop your skills on the job, learning from experienced assistant directors and crew. You may be able to get training at the start of your career through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and regional screen agencies sometimes offer. You could also take short courses in production skills for assistant directors, run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.