Assistant Director

As an Assistant Director for Commercials, Short Films and Feature Films, I’m responsible for delivering the Director & Productions Vision within the timeframe and budget available, whilst also supporting the entire cast and crew to communicate well, respect each other, and enjoy the process.

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Another London Screenwriter’s Festival went by i

Another London Screenwriter’s Festival went by in a flash: It’s been an absolute blast

This one was different from previous iterations, partly because of a 2 1/2 year gap since the last one, partly we did a hybrid Live AND streaming festival (not easy), and partly because I’m now a dad, and a cancer survivor, and, especially the fact that -more than ever before- over a dozen of our speakers were once attendees / volunteers at the fest…! Catching up with so may great people: stephen follows, rachel paterson, andrew dymond, julian friedmann and more…

The team was amazing - Chris, Bob, Lisa, Amy, Hamish, Jan, all the superhero volunteers, and our hosts Regent’s University Events: roll on 2025 :)

‘Who are your peers?’ Setting up for the 202

‘Who are your peers?’

Setting up for the 2024 edition of the London Screenwriter’s Festival: festival director Chris Jones running through the opening presentation - its gonna be awesome…

#screenwriting

Pragmatic Cheerleading: I love this shot from a r

Pragmatic Cheerleading:

I love this shot from a recent shoot with Creative Power Town working in association with Avon & Somerset Police (more pics to follow) - partly because it illustrates how different roles on set work. Our (excellent) director Jack Chapman @montybaxter is utterly focussed on the sound & vision, whilst I -his 1st AD- use the megaphone to tell the crew what we’re doing right now and what we’ll be doing next; plus a fair bit of pragmatic cheerleading to keep us on track. It’s a delicate thing, megaphone use: too loud and it seems like the AD is imposing their voice/will on everyone (and the neighbours would get pretty annoyed), too quiet and no-one can hear the message so there’s no point. There’s a sweet spot right in the middle - it’s fun to nail that :)

Big thanks to our gaffer on the shoot David Anderson @dave_thegaffer for seeing the opportunity / frame then taking (and sharing!) the image

One of my favourite testimonials from last year wa

One of my favourite testimonials from last year was from the incredible cinematographer @tamas.meder - thanks Tamas! Was a blast working with you! 🙏

I’m excited for the ‘Strike’ shoot with @san

I’m excited for the ‘Strike’ shoot with @sandstormfilms as part of their #sandstormslates initiative
- especially happy that we’ve got the shotlist AND all floorplans up to view (bottom of the pic) before DAY 1… 👌
#sandstorm #sandstormfilms #strikeshortfilm #shortfilm #bts

Sometimes in life you just need to get on a chair

Sometimes in life you just need to get on a chair and give a little speech: Fortunately Frey Billington @_fromagefrey knows a thing or two about being a 1st AD so was able to give a focal point & affirm Booms’ vision at the ‘Mentor Mingle’ for guests and students @boomsatsumafilmschool last night 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

So one of the the best things that happened at the

So one of the the best things that happened at the @nftscymruwales @channel4skills roadshow session kn AD-ing with #richardlingard was bumping into the delightful @noomiyates! This pic way more fun for me to post than another grainy ppt pic…

That said, heres a few definitions of what and AD is courtesy of the extremely experienced Mr Lingard:
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An AD
* Delivers the director’s vision within the time and budget allocated
* Responsible to everyone and for everyone

They are kind of like a foreman on building site, AND a diplomat who helps director and producer/s colaborate

They have hard skills (scheduling, running the set, crowd control etc), and ‘soft skills’ (supporting, managing various creative and technical-minded personalities)

They are like a Swan: above surface the epitomy of calm, but under the water they are paddling hard: thinking through situations and problems ahead of time

Communication is key.

ADs bring solutions.

At an @channel4skills @nftscymruwales roadshow day

At an @channel4skills @nftscymruwales roadshow day today - about to hear about the ‘critical role of the Assistant Director’ - mainly because i’m interested what NFTS thinks its all about… will share what i learn…

I had a thoroughly inspiring day yesterday chattin

I had a thoroughly inspiring day yesterday chatting about Assistant Directing (and everything else film-related) with the final year students @boomsatsumafilmschool at the Tobacco Factory - their enthusiasm was infectious - am really excited to see the outcome of their forthcoming projects :)))

Was a real privilege to see the premiere of Blame

Was a real privilege to see the premiere of Blame Her at the @_integrateuk Conference today at Bristol Aquarium. :) Brought back memories of a thoroughly enjoyable shoot for a very good cause 🙏 Film (very well) Produced by @ctsdofilm; impressively tight and impactful edit job too! 👏🏻

Great fun catching up wjth pees at the Bristolfilm

Great fun catching up wjth pees at the Bristolfilm.co coffee meetup :)

Its so important to celebrate achievements: i was

Its so important to celebrate achievements: i was chuffed to be invited to Storm + Shelters 10th birthday last week in cardiff 😀
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And when i saw that they’d lovingly created an utterly deadpan album cover poster (no prizes for which band ;) i was 100% in :) (see also the quote at the bottom - adds to the effect)
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I’ve worked a few jobs with these guys - they are top class operators who treat their crew with max respect and appreciation - its no surprise they’re doing great 👌
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Note: thats Josh on the second image giving a speech - on a sofa - the way it should be done…

Load More Follow on Instagram

Here’s my take everything there is to know about being an awesome 1st AD in one A4 page. This is draft 1: notes & additions are welcome!

How to Be an Awesome 1st Assistant Director (in one page)Download

oliver.purches@gmail.com

I’m the guy in the red coat. Holding the walkie.

Telling our SA’s the plan