In short: A 3rd assistant director, or 3rd AD, supports the 1st AD on set. They keep the crew and the 2nd AD informed about progress, plan for problems, direct background artists and keep members of the public out of shot. Most 3rd ADs start as floor runners and work up through the AD department.
The 3rd AD is the 1st AD's right hand on set, keeping the crew informed, the schedule moving and the public out of the way. They work inside the assistant director department, and their duties grow or shrink with the size of the production. ScreenSkills says the exact responsibilities depend on scale, budget band and genre.
What a 3rd AD does on a shoot day
Before filming, the 3rd AD helps organise crew communication and attends technical recces. On a recce they work out how many extra ADs each sequence needs and check the practical things: transport access, holding areas, green rooms and toilets.
On set, the work is about information and people:
- Keep people informed. They tell the crew and the 2nd AD how the day is going, and pass on schedule changes without delay.
- Spot problems early. They notice what might slow the day and plan a fallback before it happens.
- Direct background artists. They set the extras up and cue any background action, unless dedicated crowd 3rd ADs are on the job.
- Keep the public out. Members of the public stay out of shot and off the set and location.
- Work with locations. They liaise with the locations team on security.
Who they work with
The 3rd AD sits alongside the 1st AD on set. The crew and the key 2nd AD rely on them for information, so they talk to most of the production during the day. Background artists are the people they direct. The locations team handles security with them, and on bigger jobs a crowd 3rd AD takes over background work.
For the other AD roles, see what a 2nd AD does and what a 1st AD does.
Kit and skills
The 3rd AD works from a schedule, a call sheet, a radio or phone, and a notebook they keep on them all day. ScreenSkills lists the skills as clear and fast communication, problem spotting, contingency planning and coordinating people.
Those skills count for more than any software. A 3rd AD who can say what happens next, in one sentence, to a room of people is doing the job well.
How to become a 3rd AD
ScreenSkills says most assistant directors start as trainees or floor runners and work up. The usual entry points are these:
- Floor runner. Get onto a set in any runner role and learn the call sheet from the inside.
- ScreenSkills Trainee Finder. The scheme prepares people for UK screen productions and offers placements. Applications open once a year, so check the site for the next intake.
- Short courses. ScreenSkills lists the Movie Magic Scheduling course from the National Film and Television School, and first aid courses.
- Bectu. The union lists runner membership at £8 a month for the first two years, and its runners page covers advice on rates and a safety course.
There is no fixed qualification for this role. The route is mostly time on set and being the person people ask for again.
Do you need one on a small shoot?
- A talking head or single-camera interview: no. One person can run the time and the interview.
- A product or content day with no background artists: no. The producer can run the schedule.
- A shoot with extras, a public location or several sets: yes. Someone has to direct the background and keep the public clear while the camera runs.
- A film with a crowd scene: yes, and possibly a crowd 3rd AD as well.
Keeping the public away from kit, cables and cameras is safety work. What is here is general guidance only. A competent person has to assess the actual site and crowd, including any work at height or near traffic. If you need extra people on a shoot, describe the day when you ask for a quote on film crew hire.
Related roles
Sources
- ScreenSkills, Third assistant director (3rd AD) skills, read 5 November 2026
- ScreenSkills, Assistant director, film and TV drama job profile, read 5 November 2026
- ScreenSkills, Trainee Finder scheme, read 5 November 2026
- Bectu, Runners and new entrants, read 5 November 2026
Related guides
Questions we get asked
What does a 3rd AD do on a film set?
The 3rd AD supports the 1st AD on set. They keep the crew informed about the schedule, spot problems early, and coordinate and direct background artists unless a crowd 3rd AD is booked for the job.
Who does a 3rd AD report to?
The 3rd AD works alongside the 1st AD on set, and the crew and the key 2nd AD rely on them for information. ScreenSkills does not set out a strict reporting line, and the exact duties depend on the size and genre of the production.
Do I need a 3rd AD on a small shoot?
Not for a single-camera interview. Use one when a shoot has background artists, public locations or a schedule that needs extra people to move the day along.
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