The Directing Team — what the director, 1st AD, 2nd AD and script supervisor actually do

• Director — decides how the script becomes scenes and chooses the performances and the shots.
• 1st AD — breaks down the script and builds the shooting schedule, then on shoot days watches the clock and gets the next setup ready. The job is to carry everything else so the director can focus on the scene.
• 2nd AD — prepares and sends out the call sheet and tracks when each actor arrives, goes through hair and makeup, and steps onto set. Prepping the next day often falls to the 2nd AD as well.
• 3rd AD and PAs — place and cue extras, check props and wardrobe continuity, and relay messages on the radio. On small shows, one or two people cover both the 2nd and 3rd AD jobs.
• Script supervisor — logs the takes, the verdicts, dialogue changes and continuity, and passes it all to the editing room. On some sets they sit with the directing team; on others they’re a department of their own.

1. 01PrepBreak the script down scene by scene into a breakdown, then group scenes by location, cast and time of day to build the shooting schedule. Join scouts, the table read and rehearsals to understand what the director wants.
2. 02The day beforeLay out the next day’s scenes, their order and the actors’ call times on the call sheet, check it with production and camera, then send it out.
3. 03Shoot dayThe 1st AD checks each department’s readiness for every setup and runs the set with the standard calls. The 2nd AD tracks the actors’ movements and holding, and the script supervisor logs the takes.
4. 04After wrapCheck which scenes were shot and which remain, decide which shooting day picks up anything that slipped, and revise the next day’s call sheet.

On shoot days, the 1st AD stays by the director and keeps time, while the 2nd AD moves between holding and the makeup room to get actors to set on time. The two stay connected on the radio: the 1st AD says when the next setup will be ready, and the 2nd AD calls the actors to match. When the 2nd AD gets ahead on tomorrow’s prep, the 1st AD can focus on today’s set.

• The latest script and call sheet — check the date and revision to be sure you have the current version
• Actors and roles — memorize each cast number, actor name and agent or manager contact as a set
• Radio channel and earpiece — know the AD channel from the shared channel
• Your job today — ask the 1st AD whether you’re on extras, props checks or cast holding
• Reporting habits — radio in right away about anyone running late, a changed prop or something missing

The directing team decides what gets shot and when, and every other department prepares around that plan. So when the plan changes, the ADs need to be the first to say so. Locations, travel and meals go through production, and setups and gear prep time are checked with camera every day.