Salary Range
€k - €k
Job Zone

In Brief...

The Third Assistant Director supports senior ADs, manages actor movement, organises extras, directs production assistants, and handles key communications during filming.

Knowledge

  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge areas are ranked by their importance to this career

Skills

  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skills are ranked by their importance to this career

Videos on the Web

Most commonly reported Work Activities

  • Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

 

 

The Work

The Third Assistant Director supports the first and second AD’s in the department, they have a key communications role during shooting.

Role and Responsibilities 

  • Responsible for the movement of actors as per filming schedule, organising of extras, and supervising and directing production assistants.

  • Organise the messaging system on set and relay information using walkie-talkies between cast and crew.

  • They must co-ordinate extras and ensure they are available for filming at the right place and time.

  • Cue and direct extras in background action according to the requirements of the director and first AD.

  • Read the script before the shoot and focus on its requirements, especially in relation to extras and various production elements such as location.

  • Responsible for compiling a daily report and highlighting any issues that may need resolving.

Works with

  • Director
  • First AD
  • Second AD
  • All of the Heads of Department
  • Extras
  • Actors

 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

  • Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
  • Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
  • Communicate to actors the approach, characterisation, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimised.
  • Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
  • Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
  • Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
  • Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
  • Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
  • Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
  • Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.

Qualities - Third Assistant Director

Is this role right for me?

For this role, you will need:

  Great organisational and time-management skills and the ability to communicate thoughts and ideas.

  An understanding of the logistics of a film set, especially in relation to extras.

  Ability to direct, manage, supervise and facilitate background action.

  Ability to take direction and work effectively and calmly under pressure.

  Ability to control and manage the communications system on set.

  Experience with Movie Magic and other industry specific software.

Interests - Third Assistant Director

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entry - Third Assistant Director

Last Updated: April, 2025

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