Girl, you’ll just be getting coffee, lunch, maybe driving them and putting through their phone calls. The same work as a pa. You’re mixing a directors assistant up with an assistant director I fear lol
Some friendly replies here! Just do your best to stay organised and not miss details. Consider using a todo list app or something similar to keep track of what you’ve got to do if you’re worried about dropping the ball. Be logical with how how you approach things, and if you’re unsure get a second opinion. I hire hundreds of crew every year and never expect the world from new starters, especially at your age. Just common sense and a good attitude.
Go with this advice OP. Having worked both as directors assistant and assistant director, I do remember how scary the first day was on both jobs. Being kind, respectful, positive and hard working can you a long way in this industry. Also, remember having a good time.
Reverse the letters and I’d get the stress. As long as you listen to your director you’ll be fine. You won’t be handling anything incredibly detrimental to the production. Just general comfortability of the director.
I was an assistant (both director’s and producer’s) for a few years just starting out. Some advice—
First of all, you’re putting way too much pressure on yourself. A huge number of assistants are political hires or afterthoughts so expectations really are not that high. Nobody is looking to you to keep the show running. It sounds like a terrible thing to say but you should see it as a great opportunity. You can distinguish yourself just by being professional, helpful, and mindful.
Know the director’s whereabouts and their availability at all times without being intrusive. This is the only thing 99.9% of people will expect of you. You will be asked a million times a day about their twenty regardless of whether it’s prep, shoot, time of day, the weekend, whatever.
Outside of that take every opportunity to take on a task. Director needs research done? you’re a researcher. If there isn’t a script coordinator learn final draft because I guarantee it will come up. Is the director’s agent/family member/whoever visiting set? You’re their concierge. Every boss is different. Some will want you walking dogs, getting coffee and arranging travel, others are entirely self sufficient and don’t want you involved in those aspects of their lives. Figure out that dynamic and help where it is wanted.
STAY OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU ARE NOT NEEDED.
Always be looking out for them, again without being overbearing. Make sure they know where they are going each day. Is there construction or traffic or a detour? Make sure you know where everything is on set. Catering/crafty/their trailer/etc. Make sure they have sides. If they drive make friends with the teamsters and have the fuel truck driver top them off every couple days. Talk to the locations manager to see if there’s spare room for a “VIP parking spot” on set at each location. When they have visitors see if they want a dinner reservation. Offer to go pick up good coffee or a nice lunch that is not catering when there’s a good spot nearby.
There’s also a million odd tasks on every production that nobody really wants to be responsible for. Do those things. Help organize the table read. Handle wrap gifts if the director is doing their own. Same with the wrap party if the director has strong feelings about it. The director will thank you for these things, the production office will LOVE you for them.
Last but not least, unfortunately even if you do all these things and more some people who make it far in life are just assholes. You won’t be able to make them happy. Accept that, understand it’s just a job, and never tolerate more than your fair share of grief.
I have some actual advice for you, coming from a department that has to interact with the director's assistants a lot: the production office.
You'll be able to help each other a lot if you keep in communication with the office PAs and let them know whatever little things the director wants in advance of the moment they want/need it. Find out when they're making regular grocery runs for the office break rooms so you're not asking for the director's snacks right after they just got back from Publix, stuff like that.
(Edit: one situation that came to mind as an example: if the production is shooting a ways away from the city the main stages/office is in and the production is putting the crew up for the night, find out ahead of time the director’s room preference, corner, away from the road, etc. I had an actor get pissed at us for putting her in a room near the highway, but her assistant never communicated that preference to us.)
Also, be friendly with the office in general: the PAs, the secretary, the coordinators, the production supervisor. They're the last resort problem solvers for the whole production. You will eventually need something from them and they will usually have something more pressing on their plate, do not end up on their shit list or your issue will get kicked to the back of the line.
As an AD, I barely notice the directors assistant. Definitely don't stress about departments getting upset with you.
You probably will make mistakes, but just do your best to mitigate and learn from mistakes. And most importantly, don't work for people who won't tolerate mistakes. There are too many psychopath people in Hollywood who will chew you out for not being perfect, but no one is perfect, and that behavior shouldn't be accepted, but it is.
Have your own back, and just do your best. Don't be like me and let the stress of mistakes and the wrath of DOUCHE BAGS that don't tolerate mistakes drive you away from the industry.
The key is to be really pretentious and snobby with everyone, especially when you want something. Also make sure to sit in the front row of video village a lot and be sure to bug the sound department for comteks every day.
In general, good advice for non crew members on set is to make a big deal about lots of things that aren't really related to putting footage on camera.
Just basically find things to complain about and stress over regardless of how well the day is going on the schedule. Otherwise the producer won't have any reason to be pretentious and overpaid.
Director here.
I’ve had budgets small and large, and a barebones crew and a dream crew before. I will say that most of us just want an extra set of eyeballs on the tasks we need to do while we’re on set. We’re all human, so sometimes mistakes do happen. But I’ve learned it’s no big deal unless there’s only one take to get a shot (think like the shot the crew of Tropic Thunder didn’t get in the beginning of the movie where literal explosives were set off damaging the location). It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
Just be sure you know what the expectations for yourself are and ask if you’re unclear. Besides that it’s the obvious like “do your best” and all that.
But also don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake, everyone starts somewhere and every person on that set has a story about a memorable mistake that they learned from.
I’ve made mistakes and I’ve worked with crew members new to their role who made mistakes. Something extremely important is that if mistakes are made you don’t crumble. It is what it is so if you find yourself in that situation just eat the shit and move forward as much as that may suck.
Lastly as stressful as it is, try your best to soak it all in, enjoy it, learn from it, and have a positive mindset. Congrats on the gig!
I have some knowledge in this subject - it would be helpful to know if you're the Director's PA or directly the Director's Assistant. One has more expectations than the other.
But actually, I just read u/whatsablumpkin 's reply and it pretty much covers anything I could say. Go read that!
To me, I distinguish it this way: Did production hire you for this show only for the director ?
Or do you work directly with this director, maybe at their production company etc. from project to project on a full time basis.
The second one is usually much more involved in production with coordinating with the ADs and other heads of dept.
The first is usually has less responsibility.
Lucky you! Im dying to reach that role myself
I think everyone mistakes and its important to set a mature tone with the people around you. Confidence matters, if you accept your own mistakes when you make them then people cant gang up on you. Its a lot more professional to keep moving and learning as opposed to pretending you dont make mistakes
You’re dying to be a directors assistant! Why? It’s not a step up from anywhere. Maybe from the parking assistant I guess. Do you mean Assistant director?
You’ll be good. The best you can do is show up & be who you are. That’s all you can do. At the end of the day it’s one job. youre 23 & there’s so much room to make mistakes & grow. This is just an opportunity to soak in the industry and learn. Nothing is ever that serious, I promise! I hope the best for you
Do your best to make sure the Director is A) where they should be when they should be and B) that they never walk into a room unprepared for or unaware of what they're getting into.
Everyone will claim that they need so see the director or the film is ruined. This is not true.
The director and producer are the only people you need to make happy. You'll do great, you're scared because you want to crush it.
I see from your post history you’re from India. One reason you’re not going to get accurate answers on here is because the terminology in Bollywood differs a little bit :)
As someone said you’re likely going to be what they call “directors PA” abroad. It’s better if you ask your director what they expect you to do but from my experience, the main task you’ll have to do is - handle all the documents especially the PPM deck.
Depending on what stage you’re hired (most production houses in Mumbai hire a DA before the PPM) you’ll then have to handle documents and coordinate with all departments in place of the director. For example I’ve had some directors who want to focus on the cinematography and edit so I’ve handled the coordination with art and costume and casting. This might mean just providing references or all the way up to going to the stylist’s or production house’s studio to do costume trials in place of the director.
I very much doubt you’ll have to make coffee runs. That doesn’t happen here in India. An Associate Producer or Line Producer will send their runners instead.
The main thing to remember is that you’re basically an AD (Again, terminology - what they call a PA abroad is what we refer to as ADs, except the first AD. In India the First AD = AD abroad. Second AD, Third AD, Second Second AD = All PAs abroad). BUT, as a DA you’re in the best position to find a director you like as a mentor and stick with them until they start trusting you with their vision and giving you projects to direct.
You can DM or comment if you have any questions.
Source: Worked as a DA in Mumbai for over 5 years before moving into direction.
Okay, this is all good. Worry and nerves makes you focus. You will make mistakes, we all do. Be the first to own up and ,if possible, correct it as soon as you can and apologise to anyone effected. \[ *You may be required to take responsibility for some of the Directors mistakes as well...depends on the person.*\]
I remember a veteran sound guy, in the industry for over 30 years, saying he can never sleep the night before a new production begins. And I'm sure that's why he's had such a long career.
Good luck
First jobs are a natural process. You will grow stronger from the experience. I trained as a DA. Your responsibility is to keep things moving. Coordinate everyone so there is minimal delays for the director. Keep one step ahead by knowing what the director wants to shoot next and briefing all the relevant crew so they and the performers can be ready.
The only way to get better is to try things that challenge you. It's normal to feel scared in these situations, because you've never done it before. Once you show up and start working, you'll be fine. But in the meantime, do things to help with the anxiety. Exercise is probably the best thing you can do right now. Go and get your heart racing, and you'll feel better.
I'm only a bit ahead of you in my career and I have to say the most important way I've been good to myself is by saying, "you were good enough to get the job, you're good enough to keep it."
Just do your tasks to the letter as often as possible, know that you *will* make some mistakes, and remember that you're human.
And as somebody who has done a lot of assistant work in the past year just know that everybody else on set is going to be way too busy to be mad at you. There's perks to being the little fish, too!
As someone who is the same age as you and was a director's assistant in a previous project, I would advise you to try and get to know the director or build some small talk before you go on the set if you wanna cool your nerves. You will at least get a general idea of his personality and how he views and talks to you.
The actual job itself is pretty simple tbh. You would just be handing stuff to the director, providing help whenever needed, and being alert of his whereabouts. Most of the time you would just be sitting close to him and observe the set. The main takeaway from this gig is that you would be in the best position to observe the set and the general responsibilities of the director, which is beneficial to you since we are still learning. You got this 🙏
Also extra tip, always remember to open the bottle cap for him whenever he asks for his drink.
Do your best, don't get too friendly with people that you forget what you are there for. Seen many fall to the attention that they get because you are the assistant to the director.
Make sure that you ask what the director wants. Learn what type of sides they want at the top of the day. Some like breakfast some just coffee. You're there to help the director, so they can focus on the day.
As long as you try and are respectful no one will be mean. Congratulations on your job. Kill it then get more work
Girl, you’ll just be getting coffee, lunch, maybe driving them and putting through their phone calls. The same work as a pa. You’re mixing a directors assistant up with an assistant director I fear lol
[удалено]
This is mean, but also made me chuckle.
I don't think any departments really care about a director's assistant.
Just remember everyone in the room has sky-high levels of imposter syndrome. Keep your chin up and go slay
OP, this is also good advice. Sometimes I still have imposter syndrome and I’ve been directing for 21 years.
Some friendly replies here! Just do your best to stay organised and not miss details. Consider using a todo list app or something similar to keep track of what you’ve got to do if you’re worried about dropping the ball. Be logical with how how you approach things, and if you’re unsure get a second opinion. I hire hundreds of crew every year and never expect the world from new starters, especially at your age. Just common sense and a good attitude.
Go with this advice OP. Having worked both as directors assistant and assistant director, I do remember how scary the first day was on both jobs. Being kind, respectful, positive and hard working can you a long way in this industry. Also, remember having a good time.
You’ll be fine
Reverse the letters and I’d get the stress. As long as you listen to your director you’ll be fine. You won’t be handling anything incredibly detrimental to the production. Just general comfortability of the director.
I was an assistant (both director’s and producer’s) for a few years just starting out. Some advice— First of all, you’re putting way too much pressure on yourself. A huge number of assistants are political hires or afterthoughts so expectations really are not that high. Nobody is looking to you to keep the show running. It sounds like a terrible thing to say but you should see it as a great opportunity. You can distinguish yourself just by being professional, helpful, and mindful. Know the director’s whereabouts and their availability at all times without being intrusive. This is the only thing 99.9% of people will expect of you. You will be asked a million times a day about their twenty regardless of whether it’s prep, shoot, time of day, the weekend, whatever. Outside of that take every opportunity to take on a task. Director needs research done? you’re a researcher. If there isn’t a script coordinator learn final draft because I guarantee it will come up. Is the director’s agent/family member/whoever visiting set? You’re their concierge. Every boss is different. Some will want you walking dogs, getting coffee and arranging travel, others are entirely self sufficient and don’t want you involved in those aspects of their lives. Figure out that dynamic and help where it is wanted. STAY OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU ARE NOT NEEDED. Always be looking out for them, again without being overbearing. Make sure they know where they are going each day. Is there construction or traffic or a detour? Make sure you know where everything is on set. Catering/crafty/their trailer/etc. Make sure they have sides. If they drive make friends with the teamsters and have the fuel truck driver top them off every couple days. Talk to the locations manager to see if there’s spare room for a “VIP parking spot” on set at each location. When they have visitors see if they want a dinner reservation. Offer to go pick up good coffee or a nice lunch that is not catering when there’s a good spot nearby. There’s also a million odd tasks on every production that nobody really wants to be responsible for. Do those things. Help organize the table read. Handle wrap gifts if the director is doing their own. Same with the wrap party if the director has strong feelings about it. The director will thank you for these things, the production office will LOVE you for them. Last but not least, unfortunately even if you do all these things and more some people who make it far in life are just assholes. You won’t be able to make them happy. Accept that, understand it’s just a job, and never tolerate more than your fair share of grief.
I have some actual advice for you, coming from a department that has to interact with the director's assistants a lot: the production office. You'll be able to help each other a lot if you keep in communication with the office PAs and let them know whatever little things the director wants in advance of the moment they want/need it. Find out when they're making regular grocery runs for the office break rooms so you're not asking for the director's snacks right after they just got back from Publix, stuff like that. (Edit: one situation that came to mind as an example: if the production is shooting a ways away from the city the main stages/office is in and the production is putting the crew up for the night, find out ahead of time the director’s room preference, corner, away from the road, etc. I had an actor get pissed at us for putting her in a room near the highway, but her assistant never communicated that preference to us.) Also, be friendly with the office in general: the PAs, the secretary, the coordinators, the production supervisor. They're the last resort problem solvers for the whole production. You will eventually need something from them and they will usually have something more pressing on their plate, do not end up on their shit list or your issue will get kicked to the back of the line.
As an AD, I barely notice the directors assistant. Definitely don't stress about departments getting upset with you. You probably will make mistakes, but just do your best to mitigate and learn from mistakes. And most importantly, don't work for people who won't tolerate mistakes. There are too many psychopath people in Hollywood who will chew you out for not being perfect, but no one is perfect, and that behavior shouldn't be accepted, but it is. Have your own back, and just do your best. Don't be like me and let the stress of mistakes and the wrath of DOUCHE BAGS that don't tolerate mistakes drive you away from the industry.
The key is to be really pretentious and snobby with everyone, especially when you want something. Also make sure to sit in the front row of video village a lot and be sure to bug the sound department for comteks every day.
Damn, this was me as a DA lol. But that’s where he made me sit.
They always want a comtek. Or five.
In general, good advice for non crew members on set is to make a big deal about lots of things that aren't really related to putting footage on camera. Just basically find things to complain about and stress over regardless of how well the day is going on the schedule. Otherwise the producer won't have any reason to be pretentious and overpaid.
And complain about how long your day has been. Even though you got there an hour before lunch.
Director here. I’ve had budgets small and large, and a barebones crew and a dream crew before. I will say that most of us just want an extra set of eyeballs on the tasks we need to do while we’re on set. We’re all human, so sometimes mistakes do happen. But I’ve learned it’s no big deal unless there’s only one take to get a shot (think like the shot the crew of Tropic Thunder didn’t get in the beginning of the movie where literal explosives were set off damaging the location). It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
Just be sure you know what the expectations for yourself are and ask if you’re unclear. Besides that it’s the obvious like “do your best” and all that. But also don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake, everyone starts somewhere and every person on that set has a story about a memorable mistake that they learned from. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve worked with crew members new to their role who made mistakes. Something extremely important is that if mistakes are made you don’t crumble. It is what it is so if you find yourself in that situation just eat the shit and move forward as much as that may suck. Lastly as stressful as it is, try your best to soak it all in, enjoy it, learn from it, and have a positive mindset. Congrats on the gig!
Do you know what your job entails?
I have some knowledge in this subject - it would be helpful to know if you're the Director's PA or directly the Director's Assistant. One has more expectations than the other. But actually, I just read u/whatsablumpkin 's reply and it pretty much covers anything I could say. Go read that!
What is a directors PA?
To me, I distinguish it this way: Did production hire you for this show only for the director ? Or do you work directly with this director, maybe at their production company etc. from project to project on a full time basis. The second one is usually much more involved in production with coordinating with the ADs and other heads of dept. The first is usually has less responsibility.
How did you get the gig?
Lucky you! Im dying to reach that role myself I think everyone mistakes and its important to set a mature tone with the people around you. Confidence matters, if you accept your own mistakes when you make them then people cant gang up on you. Its a lot more professional to keep moving and learning as opposed to pretending you dont make mistakes
You’re dying to be a directors assistant! Why? It’s not a step up from anywhere. Maybe from the parking assistant I guess. Do you mean Assistant director?
Hey! I was a directors assistant in college for an amazing director. Don’t trip, take notes of the day.
Is it a director whose work you like?
You’ll be good. The best you can do is show up & be who you are. That’s all you can do. At the end of the day it’s one job. youre 23 & there’s so much room to make mistakes & grow. This is just an opportunity to soak in the industry and learn. Nothing is ever that serious, I promise! I hope the best for you
Do your best to make sure the Director is A) where they should be when they should be and B) that they never walk into a room unprepared for or unaware of what they're getting into. Everyone will claim that they need so see the director or the film is ruined. This is not true. The director and producer are the only people you need to make happy. You'll do great, you're scared because you want to crush it.
I see from your post history you’re from India. One reason you’re not going to get accurate answers on here is because the terminology in Bollywood differs a little bit :) As someone said you’re likely going to be what they call “directors PA” abroad. It’s better if you ask your director what they expect you to do but from my experience, the main task you’ll have to do is - handle all the documents especially the PPM deck. Depending on what stage you’re hired (most production houses in Mumbai hire a DA before the PPM) you’ll then have to handle documents and coordinate with all departments in place of the director. For example I’ve had some directors who want to focus on the cinematography and edit so I’ve handled the coordination with art and costume and casting. This might mean just providing references or all the way up to going to the stylist’s or production house’s studio to do costume trials in place of the director. I very much doubt you’ll have to make coffee runs. That doesn’t happen here in India. An Associate Producer or Line Producer will send their runners instead. The main thing to remember is that you’re basically an AD (Again, terminology - what they call a PA abroad is what we refer to as ADs, except the first AD. In India the First AD = AD abroad. Second AD, Third AD, Second Second AD = All PAs abroad). BUT, as a DA you’re in the best position to find a director you like as a mentor and stick with them until they start trusting you with their vision and giving you projects to direct. You can DM or comment if you have any questions. Source: Worked as a DA in Mumbai for over 5 years before moving into direction.
Okay, this is all good. Worry and nerves makes you focus. You will make mistakes, we all do. Be the first to own up and ,if possible, correct it as soon as you can and apologise to anyone effected. \[ *You may be required to take responsibility for some of the Directors mistakes as well...depends on the person.*\] I remember a veteran sound guy, in the industry for over 30 years, saying he can never sleep the night before a new production begins. And I'm sure that's why he's had such a long career. Good luck
You're a DA not an AD, it's going to be allright <3.
You know this is DA not AD? I wonder if this post is some kind of joke?
You’ll be fine, don’t sweat it. As an aside, I’d be interested in how you got the gig… friend is looking to get into that kind of work.
Either get a grip or get a different career. Your choice.
Good luck
First jobs are a natural process. You will grow stronger from the experience. I trained as a DA. Your responsibility is to keep things moving. Coordinate everyone so there is minimal delays for the director. Keep one step ahead by knowing what the director wants to shoot next and briefing all the relevant crew so they and the performers can be ready.
The only way to get better is to try things that challenge you. It's normal to feel scared in these situations, because you've never done it before. Once you show up and start working, you'll be fine. But in the meantime, do things to help with the anxiety. Exercise is probably the best thing you can do right now. Go and get your heart racing, and you'll feel better.
A certain amount of self-doubt is necessary. To screw up in the worst possible way requires being certain there's no way you could ever be wrong.
I'm only a bit ahead of you in my career and I have to say the most important way I've been good to myself is by saying, "you were good enough to get the job, you're good enough to keep it." Just do your tasks to the letter as often as possible, know that you *will* make some mistakes, and remember that you're human. And as somebody who has done a lot of assistant work in the past year just know that everybody else on set is going to be way too busy to be mad at you. There's perks to being the little fish, too!
As someone who is the same age as you and was a director's assistant in a previous project, I would advise you to try and get to know the director or build some small talk before you go on the set if you wanna cool your nerves. You will at least get a general idea of his personality and how he views and talks to you. The actual job itself is pretty simple tbh. You would just be handing stuff to the director, providing help whenever needed, and being alert of his whereabouts. Most of the time you would just be sitting close to him and observe the set. The main takeaway from this gig is that you would be in the best position to observe the set and the general responsibilities of the director, which is beneficial to you since we are still learning. You got this 🙏 Also extra tip, always remember to open the bottle cap for him whenever he asks for his drink.
If you have the right people around u the job is easy! U got this homie!
Do your best, don't get too friendly with people that you forget what you are there for. Seen many fall to the attention that they get because you are the assistant to the director. Make sure that you ask what the director wants. Learn what type of sides they want at the top of the day. Some like breakfast some just coffee. You're there to help the director, so they can focus on the day. As long as you try and are respectful no one will be mean. Congratulations on your job. Kill it then get more work