1st AD

The 1st AD is the Head of the Crew

This role requires someone who is organised, communicative, experienced, and confident.

The 1st AD works closely with a number of people and are in charge of a lot:

• They work with the Producer to refine the shoot schedule;

• They work with the Director and DP to plan the shot list;

• They produce and distribute the Call Sheet - the key planning document for the shoot;

• They are then the manager of time on set. It is their job to make sure all the required shots are done on the day.

• They are the one who calls the shots - as in "going for a take", "quiet on set", "last looks", "turnover", and "action" (the Director calls "cut")

• They liaise with the Camera, Lighting, Sound, Art, Hair and Makeup departments to see how long they need. The AD adjusts the schedule accordingly - which requires a lot of flexibility.

• Basically the AD focuses on the crew on set, so the Director can focus on the actors;

• The AD helps the Director, DP, and Script Supervisor make sure there is enough coverage shot, so the film can be edited together.

• The AD liaises with the Producer on break time, to make sure everything is ready for the cast and crew when they break.

• During breaks, the AD is the one who brings everyone back on time.

The AD is the Head of Health and Safety on set.

• Scheduling is related to Health and Safety. There are rules on how long crew and cast can work without a break; how long the breaks have to be; how long they can be on set; how much time they have to have between wrap and call. The Producer and AD work together on these to ensure the shoot is safe.

• The AD and Producer will update the Risk Assessment, and key information will be included in the Call Sheet.

• While the Producer is in the background, the AD is central to the shoot. They need to make sure the shoot location is safe and cast and crew are looked after.

Time Management is key. It's a balancing act - an AD need to make sure the shots are captured, the shoot doesn't over-run, and the cast and crew are safe.

On larger shoots, the First Assistant Director may manage a Second Assistant Director (2nd AD) and a Third Assistant Director (3rd AD). The AD department also manages the Runner(s) (where the Production Department manages the Production Assistant(s)).