ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Assistant Director In Film Jobs (NOW HIRING)

EnrichEd

Assistant Director in Lincoln

Lincoln, RI · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

We are looking for an Assistant Director to lead a Before and After School site at the EnrichEd sites located in Lincoln A typical day for a School Age Assistant Administrator will include: * Working ...

EnrichEd

Assistant Director in Lincoln

Lincoln, RI · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

We are looking for an Assistant Director to lead a Before and After School site at the EnrichEd sites located in Lincoln A typical day for a School Age Assistant Administrator will include: * Working ...

Kids Klub

Assistant Director in Lincoln

Lincoln, RI · On-site

We are looking for an Assistant Director to lead a Before and After School site at the EnrichEd sites located in Lincoln A typical day for a School Age Assistant Administrator will include: * Working ...

AELL

Assistant Director

Granbury, TX · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Great job satisfaction Responsibilities * Assist the Director in ensuring the health & safety of all children and staff. * Perform very light administrative duties, including enrollment and tours ...

New

Abacus Childcare

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Westfield, IN · On-site

$35K - $43K/yr

Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in raising great kids! Our centers are Paths to Quality ... Assistant Director Responsibilities: * 42 Minimum Hours a week * Follow all State Regulations and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIn Film JobsAssistant Director In Film Jobs

Assistant Director In Film information

See salary details

$25K

$72K

$147K

How much do assistant director in film jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant director in film in the United States is $71,970.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,500.00 and $89,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant director in film, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Director in Film, you need strong organizational skills, a deep understanding of filmmaking processes, and relevant experience, often gained through film school or working on set. Familiarity with scheduling software like Movie Magic Scheduling, call sheet creation, and set safety protocols is essential. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help manage crews, talent, and logistics under tight deadlines. These skills ensure smooth production flow, on-time schedules, and a safe, collaborative set environment.

How much does an assistant director in film make?

An assistant director in film typically earns between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, project size, and location. Entry-level assistants may earn less, while experienced professionals working on major productions can earn higher salaries and additional benefits.

How to become an assistant director in films?

To become an assistant director in films, individuals typically gain experience by working in entry-level film production roles, such as production assistant, and develop skills in organization, communication, and time management. Many assistant directors have backgrounds in film production or related fields and may pursue internships or apprenticeships to learn industry standards and tools like scheduling software.

What is the difference between Assistant Director In Film vs Production Coordinator?

AspectAssistant Director In FilmProduction Coordinator
CredentialsExperience in film production, often with a background in directing or production managementRelevant experience in production logistics, often with a background in administration or project management
Work EnvironmentOn set during filming, coordinating schedules and managing cast and crewOffice-based, coordinating logistics, permits, and communication between departments
Industry UsagePrimarily in film and television productionUsed across various media productions, including film, TV, and commercials

The Assistant Director In Film focuses on on-set management, scheduling, and overseeing daily filming activities. In contrast, the Production Coordinator handles logistical planning, permits, and communication behind the scenes. Both roles are essential in film production but differ in their primary responsibilities and work environments.

What are some common challenges assistant directors face during film production, and how can they effectively manage them?

Assistant Directors (ADs) often encounter challenges such as coordinating large crews, managing tight shooting schedules, and ensuring clear communication between departments. To handle these effectively, strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks are essential. ADs frequently use detailed call sheets, maintain constant communication with the director and department heads, and adapt quickly to changes on set. Proactive problem-solving and maintaining a calm demeanor under pressure are key to keeping the production running smoothly.

What does an assistant director do in film production?

An Assistant Director (AD) in film is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations on set, ensuring that filming runs smoothly and on schedule. The AD works closely with the director to communicate their vision to the cast and crew, organizes the shooting schedule, and coordinates logistics such as location management, safety, and call times. They also oversee the movement of actors and extras, make sure everyone is informed about their roles, and help maintain a safe and efficient working environment. Essentially, the AD is the key link between the director and the rest of the production team.
More about Assistant Director In Film jobs
What cities are hiring for Assistant Director In Film jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Director In Film job openings:
What states have the most Assistant Director In Film jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Director In Film jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Director In Film jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Director In Film jobs are:
Assistant Director In Film jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Director In Film job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,970 per year, or $34.6 per hour.

Assistant Director

Focus Features

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

ResponsibilitiesFirst ADs' main duties are assisting the Director, co-ordinating all production activity, and supervising the cast and crew. They are also in charge of a department of other Assistant Directors and Runners. Overall, they provide the key link between the Director, the cast and the crew, whilst also liaising with the production office, and providing regular progress reports about the shoot.
Before the shoot, the Firsts' main task is to create the filming schedule, working in careful consultation with the Director in order to fulfil his or her creative ambitions. When drawing up the shooting schedule, First ADs must also be aware of budgetary constraints, cast availability and script coverage. Preparing the storyboard, overseeing the hiring of locations, props and equipment, and checking weather reports, are all key pre-production duties for Firsts. During production, they must ensure that everyone is on standby and ready for the Director's cue for action.
First ADs' core responsibility is to keep filming on schedule by driving it forward, so they frequently make announcements and give directions to co-ordinate the cast and crew. They also control discipline on the set, supervise the other Assistant Directors, and oversee the preparation of the daily 'call sheet' (a document detailing daily shooting logistics, which is distributed to all cast and crew). Firsts are also responsible for health and safety on set or location, and must take action to eliminate or minimise hazards at all times.
SkillsFirst ADs must be authoritative team-leaders and motivators, whilst also being approachable team players. They need exceptional organisational and time-management skills. The ability to plan ahead, trouble-shoot and pay close attention to detail is vital in this role. Being an excellent communicator, with tact and diplomacy skills, is also essential as they must routinely deal with problem or even crisis situations. They must also constantly prioritise tasks, and may be frequently interrupted, the ability to multi-task is crucial. Firsts work long and often unsocial hours on a freelance basis, so a strong commitment to the job is essential. As they also usually work under highly pressurised and stressful conditions, a flexible and positive approach is highly valued.
Qualifications/ExperienceNo formal qualifications are required to become a First Assistant Director. Extensive industry experience gained through working on set or on location is the key route to develop the necessary skills. Most First ADs start as Runners, before progressing through the other Assistant Director roles (Third Assistant Director and Second Assistant Director). This route may take a number of years.
In particular, Firsts need specific experience in planning and budgeting (and how this affects scheduling), as well as in-depth knowledge of, and qualifications in, current Health and Safety legislation and procedures. Regular Health and Safety training courses should be undertaken, in order to keep this knowledge up to date. A full driving licence is generally deemed necessary.
Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Creative Skillset's and the BFl's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future2, a network of Academies have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Apply