Overview of the role
Third assistant directors (3rd ADs) are the first assistant director’s right hand on set. In pre-production, they organise effective communication with the crew, attend tech recces to determine additional AD requirements, assess transport access and ensure facilities such as holding areas, green rooms, and bathrooms are suitable, including provisions for child actors. They may also assist with paperwork such as call sheets, production reports and supporting artist attendance logs. During filming, the crew and 2nd AD rely on the 3rd AD for updates on the day’s progress. They communicate changes to scheduled activities promptly, identify potential problems and plan contingencies.
3rd ADs coordinate and direct supporting artists, cueing them in required background action, and supervising child performers alongside licensed chaperones to ensure safety, comfort and compliance with child performance regulations. They monitor welfare of all background artists, including breaks, meals and working conditions.
3rd ADs act as a link between departments, relaying information between camera, lighting, props, wardrobe and others to keep scenes ready on schedule. They assist in enforcing health and safety protocols, maintain clear pathways and set areas, and log incidents or delays for production records.
They may also manage public access and crowds and liaise with the locations team or security regarding set safety. Additionally, they support the 2nd AD and help track overall filming progress in coordination with the 1st AD.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the size of the team and the scale and budget of the production.
- Set up and equip the AD office trailer to meet production requirements efficiently.
- Establish communication systems to enable smooth information flow, including organising crew radios with relevant departments.
- Record problems or challenges associated with each location in line with production procedures alongside the production management team.
- Note potential location issues (climate, access, H&S factors) and ensure facilities accommodate child cast in keeping with all Working with Children regulations, including dressing rooms, toilets, and breakout spaces.
- Estimate and confirm the number of additional ADs required, liaising with relevant personnel.
- Propose suitable AD crew based on availability and production requirements.
- Break down scripts to ascertain production needs, including supporting artists (SAs).
- Ensure cast, crew, and supporting artists, including children and those with access requirements are fully provided for, working alongside licensed chaperones to maintain safety and compliance with all child performance regulations.
- Meet, greet, and support cast and artists, including children, ensuring compliance with all child performance regulations and liaising with licensed chaperones.
- Look after cast on set or in the studio, ensuring comfort, safety, and readiness for filming.
- Provide clear guidance on studio or location practices and regulations on arrival.
- Advise production teams on child performers’ working and tutoring hours, keeping accurate records, crosschecking with chaperones, and informing the director, ADs, and crew of availability, breaks, and wrap times.
- Obtain and handle sensitive data, including child performance licences, hotel details, and personal information, in line with agreed GDPR/data protection storage and retention procedures set by the production manager (PM).
- Maintain accurate records of all artists on set, including meal breaks and wrap times.
- Relay cues and communicate expected shots, set-ups, and schedules to crew and departments.
- Supervise SAs and ensure required background action is set up.
- Manage runners on set, delegating tasks as needed to meet production requirements.
- Respond to disputes or communication issues among cast or crew, escalating when necessary.
- Coordinate transport for cast and crew alongside the production coordinator (PC) and production secretary (PS), confirming availability throughout the filming day.
- Provide advance notice of final set-up and wrap to relevant departments.
- Ensure call sheets and paperwork are distributed to crew as required.
- Log and manage radio communications kit at the start and end of each day.
- Check in-vision drivers have correct documentation and completed declarations, alongside the PC.
- Stand in for or take over the floor as directed by production management.
- Communicate daily call times and expectations to all relevant personnel.
- Deal promptly with urgent matters in collaboration with production personnel.
- Ensure health and safety regulations are always adhered to.
Skills
Check out the role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of third assistant director in children's TV.
- Working with children: knowledgeable on all aspects of Working with Children legal and safeguarding procedures, from overall working hours and scheduling to coordinating with chaperones and tutors to ensure compliance around hours, tutoring, breaks, and welfare.
- Enthusiastic: strong interpersonal skills including when dealing with young performers and contributors and their families; act as a key point of contact and provide production personnel with up-to-date information.
- Proactive: take initiative, assesses tasks and delivers results with minimal guidance.
- Reporting: compile and organises information to produce accurate production reports.
- Teamwork: collaborate effectively across all levels, fostering a productive environment.
- Planning: coordinate practical needs such as transport, logistics, and catering for artists, including children, ensuring compliance with child performance regulations.
- Set support: assist with managing the set, studio, or location to maintain smooth operations, schedules, and health and safety compliance.
- Management: support and guide runners and production assistants, implementing systems and feedback to ensure an effective team.
- Technical awareness: use production tools, call sheets, and communication systems to support efficient filming.
- Communication: interprets and conveys requirements clearly to colleagues, ensuring smooth information flow across the production.
- Etiquette: understands and upholds production roles, responsibilities, and professional communication standards.
- Time management: prioritises tasks effectively and keeps the production team updated on progress.
- Teamwork: collaborates effectively within own department and with other departments to support overall production goals.
- Negotiation: balances the needs and working practices of all production personnel, finding ways to collaborate effectively.
- Problem-solving: plans for contingencies and resolves issues with locations, schedules, or logistics to keep productions on track.
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapts positively to changing priorities and ensures deadlines are met.
- Productivity: organises work efficiently to achieve results within deadlines.
- Ethics and integrity: acts honestly and principled in all interactions.
- Respect and inclusion: maintains professional and ethical standards while respecting others.
- Flexibility: listens, learns, and adapts to changing priorities while maintaining high standards.
- Professional development: seeks learning and networking opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Developing attribute: explores creative solutions and new methods to improve production processes and outcomes.