Working with ADs from a Production Co-ordinator's perspective

I recently sat down with a Production Coordinator to gain insight into what it's truly like working with the ADs. Have a read and let me know what you think in the comments.

What makes a great AD in your eyes?

Ooooo, as a whole... someone who is able to think on their feet and think ahead at the same time and not let the intense demands of crew (cause they can be) make them panic. Calmness, this applies to most crew but the ability to remain calm in the moment and problem solve on the spot is of paramount importance, especially when dealing with intimidating Cast and HODs.

TAR: Great answer. You would think remaining calm would be quite simple but when you've got the 1st AD or the 3rd shouting down the radio for an update we can be prone to panic. It's learning (from experience) do realise that whatever is being asked of you is never that urgent. There is a fine line between showing you care and coming across as if you couldn't care less.

What small thing helps your department run more smoothly?

Communication, the Production Office at its core is a hub of information and if the information coming to us is wrong, late or missing parts, then we cannot facilitate requests and things will not happen on time.

TAR: This is one of our core responsibilities. We are the information sharers. I think I would always rather be told something by all the PAs than by none of them.

⁠What should new ADs avoid doing when working with your team?

Just to start with pet peev, if at the end of a shoot day and the ADs are sharing a space with the Production Office (whether it is on the trailer or in an office) please do not come back and start yelling or speaking loudly while the office are working. The end of shoot can be a very busy time, preparing to send the call sheet, sorting the wrap report or last minute chaos and a group of loud excited ADs coming in from a good shoot day can be very disruptive. So I'd recommend attuning your situational awareness in any shoot environment.

TAR: Ok this one gets me every time. As a PA the majority of my work was with the same AD department and I was always taught to be quiet and respectful when returning to the AD trailer at the end of the day. As a 3rd and now as a 2nd this is something I have carried with me and will continue to. Work ramps up on wrap for Production and for your 2nd and 1st AD. Unload your gear quietly and neatly, ask the 3rd if they need you for anything else, come off radio, say goodnight and head home. Learn to read the room and don't hang around. I'm not saying don't engage though, if the 2nd or 1st are chatting and its clearly a relaxed conversation then you're good. Just work on your awareness.

⁠What’s one thing you wish ADs understood better about your department?

One thing I wish I could let them know is that we can't always get things done immediately. ADs can be known to be a "shoot first, ask later" department, solving problems in the moment to make sure the shoot runs smoothly. Whereas, the Production Office have consequences if we do not get approval on things before actioning. For example, we can't just get 4 crates of Aqua Panna water for tomorrow or a 100 person cake by the afternoon. Which brings me back to the point of planning ahead, so if we can be told with enough time we can usually get it done.

TAR: Another good one. You might be sent to ask Production of something but remember its not that simple for them. They have hoops they need to jump through before anything can actually happen. As a new 3rd its also good to know and remember that if it seems like things are happening slowly, most likely they aren't and its just that the person you asked is waiting for the person they asked to approve or respond. This is a good thing to be aware of for when you need things ordered. Get your ducks in a row sooner rather than later and get your orders in asap.

TAR

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