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1st Assistant Director

6 weeks, online / hybrid

Certificate Type: Competence
Presentation Language: English
Contact Person Name: David Stein
Contact Person Email: david.stein@afda.co.za

The First Assistant Director (or 1st AD) has been called many things. The go-between. The project manager. The information broker. The conflict mediator. The glue that holds it all together.

The 1st AD is critical to the running of a set, and a career milestone for many production industry professionals. The role is a unique combination of hard skills like paperwork and scheduling, and soft skills like communication and creating a sense of safety on set.

That’s why AFDA Legacy Short Courses brings you a unique 6-part short course to equip you with the skills you need.

Overview
Course Structure

Fees:

R5 999

Alumni 15% discount R5 099

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Overview

1st Assistant Director

Through a series of online modules, we’ll explore the practical skills, the time management skills and the people skills required to perform as a successful, industry-ready 1st AD.

The course covers the following practical and industry-relevant topics:

  • The role and responsibilities of the 1st AD within the hierarchies and protocols of a film set
  • Paperwork and planning including script breakdowns, scheduling, and Daily Production Reports
  • Health, risk and safety management for the physical, mental and psychological wellbeing of cast and crew
  • Daily on-set challenges, and what it takes to “make the day”
  • Effective communication and conflict resolution strategies
  • Wrapping, reporting and ending the day

Course Structure

You’ll be provided with readings to deepen your knowledge, mini-assessments along the way, and real-world scenarios to illustrate how principles are put into practice.

At the end of it all, you’ll submit a final or summative assessment, giving you the opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned.

The course is presented by David Stein, who has over 25 years’ experience in industry as a writer, producer and production manager for film, television, digital marketing and social media.

At times he’ll be joined by a working AD straight out of industry, to offer a real-world perspective of life in the field. While you’ll work through the online course material individually on your own time, there will also be moments of in-person contact where you’ll get to connect, engage and discuss.

Take your career to the next level, because 1st AD’s are in high demand. This is your opportunity to empower and upskill yourself with the tools you need for a thriving industry career.

Disciplines

Modules