Assistant Director Training

Assistant Director Training
Get Trained by DGA Assistant Director and Founder of Beyond Film School: Amber M Sherman. 
Amber has worked on several different projects as an Assistant Director including Commercials, Music Videos, and scripted TV and Film. 
Amber started out in the independent Film world as a 1st Assistant Director, and worked her way into the DGA (Directors Guild of America) to work as a Union show 2nd 2nd Assistant Director, and Key 2nd Assistant Director. She currently works in NYC/NJ/CT as a 2nd AD, and in the third area (outside of LA and NY) as a DGA 1st AD. 
“I have been on teams with several ADs, and then been on projects where I was the ONLY AD so, I’ve done it all when it comes to Assistant Director work either with a lot of resources, or the bare minimum.” 

 

Assistant Director Training Application Deadline:
October 13, 2025

Assistnt Director Training

How Much?

This course will be over 7 weeks with 8 trainings.

Next Steps:

  • Submit your application by October 10, 2025

  • Notification of acceptance by October 13, 2025.

  • Enrollment agreement signed within 72 hours.

  • Payment after agreement signed. 

  • Virtual training, done on zoom, outside the in-person live demo for the “Running the Set” Training Lesson

  • Each Lesson to last about 2 hours. 

  • Every lesson will be available to you via video if you can’t make a certain lesson. (You can not miss more than 2 training lessons)

  • You will receive templates to use as a working AD

  • This is not a course that you can sit and not participate in.

  • The live in-person demo involves real film professionals, minimal crew and the ability for selected trainees to take over for shots we need to get for our short film.

  • For those not local to NYC you will be able to stream the “Running the Set” Training Lesson

  • Last lesson is Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Please Fill out the application below if you'd like to be considered to take this course.


Acceptance:

You are not guaranteed to be accepted into this training. 

Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified by October 13, 2025.  

The reason we do this is to make sure each applicant is aware of the type of course they are signing up for – as this is NOT for those who want to be Directors, Writers, and Producers. (You may have those goals down the line and we encourage it, but you have to want to be an Assistant Director first and foremost.) This program is for those that love the Assistant Director position.

Agreement:

If accepted into the program you will be sent an enrollment agreement. By signing the agreement you agree to attend & participant during the trainings, complete lessons & assignments, and submit payment for the training. (You may not miss more than 2 trainings.) Each training lesson is once a week on a Tuesday, estimated to last 1.5 to 2.5 hours. 

If one is missed you must watch the recording, and make sure to submit assignments in time. 

After signing the enrollment agreement, and you agree to join the program, payment will be due thereafter.

After the Course:

Upon completion of the program you will receive a ‘Successful Completion’ certificate. Top performers will be recommended for employment as opportunities arise, and may use instructors as a reference.

Each participant will be eligible to participate as an Assistant Director in the Annual Beyond Film School Short Film Challenge.

You will receive continued support as a Beyond Film School Alumni, gain entry into the private facebook group, and also benefit from alumni only discount, events, one-on-one, and seminars.