Education / Assistant directors
Keep the floor connected to the wider plan.
Progression roleThe overview
The third AD supports the first AD on set, coordinating information and practical activity as filming progresses.
They help communicate changes, organise background action where assigned and anticipate practical problems around the set. The second AD depends on accurate updates from the floor. A third AD therefore needs to understand both the immediate scene and what other people must prepare next.
Expect continuous communication with the first and second ADs, supporting artists and the floor team.
Your route in
Build experience within the floor team before taking responsibility for coordinating others.
Watch a scene and map where background performers move. Consider how the action repeats across camera angles.
Write instructions that explain the action, the cue and what to do at the end. Practise checking understanding.
Ask for supervised opportunities to coordinate tasks while keeping your AD supervisor informed.
Floor runner or AD trainee experience may lead to third AD, with later routes into other AD grades.
Try it yourself
Design background action for a café scene with six performers. Make a simple map, three repeatable actions and a briefing.
Check that performers know their cue, their route and how to repeat the action for another take.
This is an introduction to UK film and scripted TV, rather than a complete job specification. Grades and responsibilities vary by production.
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