Home › Departments › Assistant Directors › 1st AD

1st AD

Runs the set and schedule; safety and timing on the floor — the Director’s key operational partner on UK units.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Scheduling with PM
• Run the set
• Safety briefings
• Manage 2nd/3rd ADs

Reports to

Director / Producer on schedule responsibility

Works with

2nd/3rd ADs, All HoDs, Locations, Stunts/SFX, Production Manager

Career path

3rd AD → 2nd AD → 1st AD

Day to day

Publish the day’s plan; run rehearsals/takes timing; coordinate departments; call roll/cut protocol; escalate H&S; protect the schedule.

Call times

1st AD often early for blocking/safety; 2nd AD works call-sheet nights; 3rd/crowd early for background; floor runners match the floor. Always read the call sheet header.

What to wear

Blacks; comfortable shoes; radio; weather layers; hi-vis when needed for crowd/traffic.

Tools & kit

Radio, sides, notebook, watch, comfortable bag, weather cover for call sheets.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Movie Magic Scheduling / Scenechronize
• StudioBinder
• Scriptation
• ChatGPT for draft call-sheet notes (check with PM)
• Movie Magic Scheduling / Excel stripboards
• StudioBinder / Yamdu / call sheet tools
• Radio / WhatsApp discipline
• ChatGPT for draft background briefings (1st AD approves)

Bectu rate cards for this role are in the app.

Related roles

2nd AD, 3rd AD

More Assistant Directors roles