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This programme is funded by the ScreenSkills High-end Television Fund made up of contributions from high-end TV productions made in the UK.
The 2nd Assistant Director fulfils a vital role in any production, significantly impacting the smooth running of a show – or not! This crucial position requires skills which include leadership, communication, problem-solving, managing up, and exceptional multi-tasking. As a 2nd you work with a wide variety of people and personalities: managing those relationships is fundamental to being effective.
Whilst the essential duties of the role are consistent across shows, larger productions will have expectations which impact the way you approach your job and responsibilities.
The goal of Advanced Skills for 2nd Assistant Directors is to equip current 2nds with the confidence and expertise to operate effectively across various levels of production. This includes understanding the specific demands of different types of production, mastering core responsibilities, and developing essential leadership and communication skills needed for a 2nd AD on any band of production.
This training is aimed at experienced 2nds who are aware of gaps in their knowledge, particularly when it comes to productions of different scales and bands, and are keen to take their skills to the next level. As part of your continuing professional development, this course will strengthen your existing knowledge and build your confidence.
Being a top 2nd Assistant Director requires strong leadership skills and a willingness to fully embrace the responsibilities of this unique role.
This programme is funded by the ScreenSkills High-end Television Fund made up of contributions from high-end TV productions made in the UK
It is free to participants. Please note this course is for 2nd ADs from or working in Scotland.
The training will take place across 5 half-day sessions and will cover the following topics:
Session 1
In conversation with Daisy Caton-Jones, 2nd AD - Masters of the Air, The Diplomat, The Regime
Leadership and communication - Be the grown-up in the room!
This will explore what leadership looks like for a 2nd AD and how to recognise and embrace the associated responsibilities. Communication is universally acknowledged as the most crucial skill for an AD, and for a 2nd AD, it is essential.
Session 2
Crowd 2nd - Working with one or being one
An experienced Crowd 2nd, Katherine “KK” Kennedy will share the details of what her job entails.
And if you don’t have a Crowd 2nd?
Smaller or lower-budget productions will not necessarily have a Crowd 2nd so how do you deal with all the things discussed by KK, on your own?
Session 3
SAG-AFTRA and reporting
This session will cover SAG-AFTRA contracts and different reporting requirements for different productions e.g. information required and format of ADs’ reports, hot costs data for the Production Accountant
Working with your team
Your 3rd AD, runners and base runner are your arms and legs – here we look at how to manage them effectively, share information and how to fix things when they go wrong.
Managing up
As a 2nd AD, you must build good relationships with people senior to you – whether in production, with executives, producers, and line producers, or with the heads of the department you communicate with. This session explores how to do that effectively.
Session 4
Working with the Production Office and the clear division of responsibilities
A conversation between a Jo Tew, 2nd Assistant Director (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Boys in the Boat, Wicked Little Letters) and a Production Coordinator about how to effectively manage that crucial relationship.
Other things which will be different on bigger productions
In this session we look into areas where scale will have an impact on what’s expected of you and how you do your job.
Anything else to cover?
Content for this will be based on questions gathered from the course applications content.
Session 5
1-1 conversations with each participant and the course leader
Advanced Skills for 2nd Assistant Directors is designed to be interactive, so that the cohort of experienced 2nd Ads can share their experience and experiences as well as concerns and questions.
If you would like more information, assistance or to have a chat with us before you submit your application, please contact us at scotland@nfts.co.uk