Assistant Director Trainee

The Assistant Directors Training Program was established in 1965. Sponsored by the Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the Program's purpose is to train Second Assistant Directors for the motion picture and television industry. Since its inception, more than 450 men and women from diverse backgrounds have graduated from the Program and gone on to successful careers in the business. If accepted into the Program, you will be required to complete 400 days of on-the-job training and attend regular seminars. During this time you must live in the Los Angeles area. You must have a car and be licensed to drive it. You will be assigned to work on episodic television, television movies, pilots, mini-series, and feature films with various studios and production companies. All such employment is subject to collective bargaining agreements, Training Plan rules, and studio and production company policies. The career ladder most frequently followed by Second Assistant Directors is: Second Assistant Director, First Assistant Director, Unit Production Manager. Many of the graduates go on to become Producers. Therefore, this Program emphasizes administrative, managerial, and interpersonal skills. Although some of our graduates go on to become Directors, an Assistant Director is not a junior director or director-in-training. If you are very detailed oriented, very organized and creative, and would like more information about this program, take a look at www.trainingplan.org. H O M E