assistant director
Subordinate to helmer
An assistant director (AD) is a film or television production role responsible for managing logistics on set rather than creative vision.
The first AD creates shooting schedules, coordinates departments, and keeps the production on time.
Second ADs handle paperwork, extras, and communication between departments.
In theater, an assistant director supports the director during rehearsals and may run understudy rehearsals.
The AD called for quiet on set.
Authorized substitute or assistant
- second-in-commandImmediate subordinate to leader
- associateConnect mentally or socially
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- interimProvisional in-between phase
chain of command · succession · delegation · reporting structure · administrative · bureau · department · agency
Auxiliary film production team
- call sheetDaily production work order
- extrasAdditional items included
- shooting schedulePlan for filming sequence
- walkie-talkiePortable handheld radio transceiver
craft services · location · continuity · slate · blocking · camera setup · day player · turnaround
Theater's behind-scenes coordinator
- rehearsalsPreparatory performance sessions
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- tech weekFinal rehearsals before opening
run-through · scene work · backstage · line reading · green room · dress rehearsal · spacing
TV series creative head
- episodeSerialized content unit
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- networkInterconnected system
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
streaming · pilot · writers room · production schedule · location shooting · studio · multi-camera · episodic
deputy
Authorized substitute or assistant
- second-in-commandImmediate subordinate to leader
- associateConnect mentally or socially
- subordinateOne lower in rank
interim · chain of command · succession · delegation · reporting structure · administrative · bureau · department · agency · nonprofit
second unit
Auxiliary film production team
- call sheetDaily production work order
- extrasAdditional items included
- shooting schedulePlan for filming sequence
walkie-talkie · craft services · location · continuity · slate · blocking · camera setup · day player · turnaround · lockup
stage manager
Theater's behind-scenes coordinator
- rehearsalsPreparatory performance sessions
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
tech week · run-through · scene work · backstage · line reading · green room · dress rehearsal · spacing
showrunner
TV series creative head
broadcast · streaming · pilot · writers room · production schedule · location shooting · studio · multi-camera · episodic · syndication
- collaboratorscoauthors, partner, cowriters, coworker, co-producers
- Deputiesdeputy, lieutenant, second-in-command, second in command, number two
- Directorsorchestra conductor, choirmaster, maestro, showrunner
- film crewcinematographer, gaffer, editor, grip, producer
- movie creditsproducer, writer, cast, editor, composer
- theater jobsactor, playwright, choreographer, stage manager, costume designer
assistant directordirector
One who leads
executive director · showrunner · production assistant · studio head · producer
assistant directordirector
One who leads
auteur · creative director · first chair · visionary · cinematographer
direction, director, assistant, assisted, directors, assisting, assistants, directional, directorate