Assistant Directors
Bilingual 1st and 2nd ADs skilled with French crew practices, Paris studios, and location shoots across all regions.
Here is how this works in practice. Assistant directors in France handle a production culture shaped by strong labor rules, well-organized crew structures, and the collaborative traditions of the French film industry. French ADs know the country's working hour needs, union practices, and the specific protocols for shooting at heritage locations, Parisian streets, and major studios like La Cité du Cinéma and Bry-sur-Marne.
Here is the short of it. Our network has bilingual French-English ADs skilled in global co-productions supported by the TRIP rebates, CNC-funded features, prestige television, and high-end commercials. They bridge the gap between global directors and French crew practices, making sure efficient shooting days across Paris, Provence, the Côte d'Azur, and each region of France.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete AD Services
From pre-production scheduling through wrap, our assistant directors provide the organizational leadership that keeps productions efficient and on track.
01
1st Assistant Director
- Set management & control
- Shooting schedule execution
- Director collaboration
- Crew coordination
- Safety oversight
Set Leadership
02
2nd Assistant Director
- Call sheet preparation
- Talent coordination
- Background management
- Paperwork & reports
- 1st AD support
Production Support
03
AD Team Services
- 2nd 2nd ADs
- Key set PAs
- Crowd marshals
- Base camp coordination
- Multi-unit support
Complete Teams
04
Pre-Production
- Schedule breakdown
- Day-out-of-days
- Strip board creation
- Location logistics
- Shooting order planning
Prep Excellence
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Assistant Directors
01.
French & International Credits
ADs with credits on César-nominated features, Cannes selections, major global co-productions, and high-end commercials shooting across France.
02.
French Labor Law Expertise
ADs who know French working hour rules, union practices, and the specific crew management culture that distinguishes French production from other markets.
03.
Bilingual Set Leadership
Fluent French-English ADs who run sets efficiently, bridging global directors with French crews without translation delays or cultural miscommunication.
04.
Heritage & Location Protocols
Experience scheduling shoots at Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Parisian street closures, and covered heritage sites — handling France's specific permitting and access needs.
On Location
Bilingual assistant directors anchoring French shooting days
Here is how this works in practice. Our 1st AD, 2nd AD, and 2nd 2nd AD roster runs the floor on French shoots with the discipline that the Convention Collective production audiovisuelle and intermittents du spectacle scheduling rules demand. Whether your shoot is locked into a sound stage at La Cité du Cinéma, dressing a Haussmann block in Paris. Working a beach unit on the Côte d'Azur, or moving between Lyon studios and Bordeaux exteriors, our ADs build day-out-of-days and strip boards that respect French working-hour ceilings, mandated meal breaks, and the Code du travail rest periods that catch unprepared global teams off guard.
Here is the short of it. Bilingual French-English leadership is the practical promise — the 1st AD running the set is the same person fluent in the language used by the gaffer, the régisseur, and the mairie liaison waiting on a street permit. We brief ADs on TRIP-funded co-productions, CNC-supported features, and the heritage-site protocols needed for Centre des Monuments Nationaux locations from Versailles to Carcassonne, and we hold a deep enough bench to staff multi-unit shoots covering Marseille, Toulouse, and the Pyrenees from a single booking conversation without dropping coverage on prep.
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do?
Here is the breakdown. In France, the 1st AD runs the set within the country's specific production culture — managing French crew working hours, setting up departments, and making sure the director can focus on creative decisions at studios like La Cité du Cinéma or on location across Paris and the regions.
What's the difference between 1st and 2nd AD?
The 1st AD leads set operations while the 2nd AD manages logistics — call sheets, talent planning, background artists, and forms that meets French production needs. On large French shoots, they work as a set team bridging set and production office.
How far in advance should I book an AD?
For features in France, book 4-8 weeks before prep for script breakdown and schedule creation. French ADs skilled with TRIP shoots and heritage location protocols are in high demand — earlier booking is recommended.
Do your ADs speak English?
Yes, all our ADs for global shoots are bilingual French-English speakers. Many have extensive credits on American, British, and European co-shoots in France, knowing both global expectations and French set culture.
Can you provide AD teams for multi-unit productions?
Yes, we staff complete AD departments for multi-unit shoots across France — main unit at Parisian locations, second unit in Provence, splinter units at heritage sites — with steady communication and scheduling standards.
What experience do your ADs have?
Our ADs have credits on major global features, César-nominated shoots, premium television, and high-profile commercials shot across France. We match AD experience and personality to your production's scale and global crews dynamics.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need an AD Team?
Tell us about your production and we'll recommend skilled assistant directors.