1st Assistant Director (1st AD)

All You Can Eat Productions is hiring a 1st Assistant Director for an independent short film production shooting in New York. The 1st AD owns the floor on set, driving the shooting schedule and keeping cast, crew, and departments moving in sync from pre-production through picture wrap. This role suits an AD who is comfortable running a lean independent production where the job description covers more ground than a studio breakdown would suggest.

About the Role

Madame X is a comedic short film set in Paris in the 1880s, drawn from the real controversy surrounding John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X. Because this is a small independent film production, the 1st Assistant Director will carry responsibilities that typically sit with a 2nd AD, including prepping and distributing call sheets. Shoot days are scheduled for October 3 in Inwood and October 5 at the Bartow-Pell Mansion in the Bronx.

Key Responsibilities

• Break down the script and develop a shooting schedule in close collaboration with the director and production team.
• Prepare and distribute call sheets ahead of each shoot day, accounting for location, cast, and department needs.
• Coordinate daily production logistics and keep all departments informed of timing and any schedule changes.
• Monitor set progress throughout the day, anticipating delays before they compound and finding practical solutions in the moment.
• Manage cast and crew movement on set to maintain workflow and keep the production on schedule.
• Serve as the primary line of communication between the director and department heads on all scheduling and set management concerns.

What You Bring

• Previous AD experience on short film production, independent features, or comparable narrative projects is strongly preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of production scheduling and standard set etiquette across departments.
• Availability for pre-production work and both confirmed shoot dates, October 3 and October 5.
• A calm, solution-oriented approach when schedules shift and department heads need clear direction fast.
• Confidence running a small crew without a dedicated 2nd AD supporting the position.

Why This Role

All You Can Eat Productions is building a period comedy short with a clear creative premise and a defined production schedule, which makes this a straightforward engagement for an AD who wants a real credit on a finished film. Compensation is $50 per day, with the possibility of increased pay depending on the outcome of the production’s fundraising campaign. People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply.

If you have the AD experience and the dates are clear, apply now for the 1st Assistant Director position with All You Can Eat Productions.