Pre-Production: The Assistant Director’s Process

Learn from an Assistant Director with over 20 years of experience on 100 films!

Get a downloadable documents including a Call Sheet, Prep Schedule, Shooting Schedule and more!

Pre-production is a critical phase for an assistant director (AD) in the filmmaking process. This stage sets the foundation for the entire production, ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned and organized. As an AD, pre-production is your time to develop a comprehensive understanding of the script, coordinate with various departments, and create a detailed schedule that will guide the production. Effective pre-production minimizes risks, saves time and resources, and helps you anticipate and solve potential issues before they arise, ultimately contributing to a smoother and more efficient production process.

However, pre-production is fraught with potential pitfalls. Common missteps you might encounter include poor communication between departments, inadequate location scouting, and failure to create a realistic and adaptable schedule. These errors can lead to significant delays, budget overruns, and logistical nightmares during filming. By addressing these issues head-on in pre-production, you can mitigate many of the challenges that could derail a project during principal photography.

Your instructor, Michael Bishop, brings over two decades of experience in the film industry working on over 100 films. A member of the Directors Guild of Canada, Michael has honed his skills on a wide array of productions, from independent films to major studio blockbusters. With credits including TRON: LEGACY, DAWN OF THE PLANE APES and SMALLVILLE, Michael's expertise as a first assistant director is well-established. His ability to manage complex scenes, large crews, and tight schedules makes him the perfect guide for understanding the intricacies of your role in pre-production.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Michael will cover essential topics that you need to master as an assistant director. You will learn your main responsibilities, including reporting lines, timelines, and safety protocols. You will learn how to break down a script and convert its elements into a scheduling program, as well as tips and tricks for creating a preliminary one-line schedule. Michael will also discuss the nuances of location scouting, the goals of tech surveys and production meetings, and the responsibilities of your assistant directing team. You will walk away feeling confident as an AD on set!

PLUS! You will receive these downloadable documents:

• Call Sheet Template
• Cast Member Sheet
• Prep Schedule
• Script Breakdown
• Shooting Schedule

Praise for Michael

"Michael is the real deal. He was so generous with his knowledge and time. I can't wait to take his next webinar!" - Edith R.

"I learned a lot from this webinar, he was incredibly prepared and very practical in his approach. Thank you Michael!" - Sam T.