Assistant Director (1st AD) — Client Project

Aru Labs; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Aru Labs is seeking a 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) for an upcoming independent web-series project. This is a project-based/contract role, with remote pre-production and potential travel during production to major hubs including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, London, Mumbai and more.

You will work closely with the Director and DOP, break down scripts, build schedules, prepare call sheets, and coordinate actors, crew and locations to keep the production on schedule and on budget.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a 1st AD or 2nd AD, production coordinator or similar production role.
• Strong understanding of film, television, web-series or commercial production.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.
• Comfortable working with a small, independent production team.
• Strong time-management and problem-solving ability.
• Comfortable coordinating multiple departments simultaneously.
• Experience working with independent filmmakers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Director and DOP during pre-production
• Break down scripts and scenes for production
• Build the shooting schedule and daily production plan
• Prepare call sheets
• Coordinate actors, crew and locations
• Manage the shooting day and keep the production on schedule
• Coordinate with the DOP and other department heads
• Help identify production requirements and potential issues before filming
• Coordinate production assistants and supporting crew
• Communicate schedule changes and requirements across departments
• Help keep the production lean, practical and on budget
• Support the Director in maintaining a smooth set environment

Skills

1st AD experience

2nd AD experience

production coordination

organization skills

communication skills

time-management

multi-department coordination

problem-solving

independent filmmaker experience

Job description

1st Assistant Director (1st AD) — Client Project Aru Labs

Project-based opportunity Aru Labs is looking for a 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) for an upcoming independent web-series project being produced for a client. This is a project-based opportunity, not a permanent position at Aru Labs. The series is a character-driven story exploring startups, ambition, relationships, friendship, money and life. We are looking for someone who can help turn the creative vision into a well-organized, efficient and professionally executed production.

What you'll do

• Work directly with the Director and DOP during pre-production
• Break down scripts and scenes for production
• Build the shooting schedule and daily production plan
• Prepare call sheets
• Coordinate actors, crew and locations
• Manage the shooting day and keep the production on schedule
• Coordinate with the DOP and other department heads
• Help identify production requirements and potential issues before filming
• Coordinate production assistants and supporting crew
• Communicate schedule changes and requirements across departments
• Help keep the production lean, practical and on budget
• Support the Director in maintaining a smooth set environment

What we're looking for

• Previous experience as a 1st AD, 2nd AD, production coordinator or similar production role
• Strong understanding of film, television, web-series or commercial production
• Excellent organization and communication skills
• Comfortable working with a small, independent production team
• Strong time-management and problem-solving ability
• Comfortable coordinating multiple departments simultaneously
• Experience working with independent filmmakers is a plus

We're not looking for someone who only knows how to work within a large production company. We want someone who can help build the production structure from the ground up. Working arrangement Remote: Yes, during pre-production Travel: Required during production Engagement: Project-based / contract Production window: Late November – early December Potential locations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, London, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bali and other global creative and startup hubs International and India-based candidates are welcome.

Who you'll work with

• Creator / Writer / Director
• Director of Photography
• Production team
• Actors and creative talent
• Location and production teams
• Sound and post-production teams

Ideal candidate

• Enjoy working on independent productions
• Can take a script and turn it into a practical shooting plan
• Are comfortable making decisions under time pressure
• Know how to keep a set moving without creating unnecessary complexity
• Enjoy working directly with creative people
• Want to help build a new series rather than simply execute an existing studio workflow