Job Description
Second Assistant Director - 2nd AD - is the right hand person of the 1st AD. In this position your main responsibility is to create and distribute the CALL SHEET for the next shooting day according to the actual filming process, updating the call time, scenes and location changes etc.
You also have to take care for the actors - from entailing transport, through coordinating their make-up and wardrobe time to maintaining their level of happiness on set.
As a 2nd AD you also have to direct the movements of the extras on set in case there are any. Rarely, you will step in the shoes of the 1st AD when he is temporarily unavailable to perform his duties so you better learn in advance all the necessary terminology.
In big film production you might find yourself as a Third Assistant Director (called also Thirds) and help in the coordination of the extras, preparing and cuing them according to the directions in any required background action. Filming attracts curious people and someone has to keep the public off the shot. Guess who will be appointed to this task? Of course - you.
After wrapping the film day, you might have to help the location manager in regards to the security and tidying up the studio or the location.
- Prepare and distribute the daily "Call Sheet" which contains the call time for all the crew and cast members and scene info, based on the shooting schedule and on the updated information from the 1st Ad
- Know the whereabouts of all cast members so they can be quickly located when the camera and lighting is set
- Take care of the talents during the filming day
- Direct extras
- Keep the public away from the film set
- Maintain communication between departments
- Time-management skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Conflict-management
- how to read and make call sheets
- basic terminology
1st AD, Actors, Background Actors (Extras), PA, UPM and other crew members
Set up Situation
A friend of yours who works high in the Industry tells you about a big film starting soon in your city. They are currently recruiting and he wants to offer you as a 2nd AD. You really want to try but your experience so far is only in short films. Your friend offers to upgrade “a little bit” your CV and present it to the 1st AD. This is a huge chance but you’ll also have to prepare well in advance so you can prove your claimed experience.