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.”
Learn exactly what an AD does, in prep as well as on set, and how to be a good one!
Learn the technical skills for an AD as well as the interpersonal skills required to get the best out of the people on your Cast & Crew.
Assistant Director Training Application Deadline:
November 3, 2025
How Much?
This course will be over 7 weeks with 8 trainings.
Next Steps:
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Submit your application by November 3, 2025
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Notification of acceptance by November 14-17, 2025.
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Enrollment agreement signed within 72 hours.
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Payment after agreement signed.
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Virtual training, done on zoom, outside of the in-person live demo for the “Running the Set” Training Lesson in NYC
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Each Lesson to last about 2 hours.
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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)
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You will receive templates to use as a working AD
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This is not a course that you can sit and not participate in.
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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.
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For those not local to NYC you will be able to stream the “Running the Set” Training Lesson
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Last lesson is Sunday, January 18, 2026
Please Fill out the application below if you'd like to be considered to take this course.
If you’d like to join the Assistant Director Training Course please fill out your information and questions below.
Any blank or “N/A” answers and your application will NOT be considered.Requirements:
You must have some experience on set in some capacity. (Does not have to be as a Set PA – but you must know how a film set operates, and have been able to observe something being shot)
Acceptance:
You are not guaranteed to be accepted into this training.
Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified by November 17, 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, and strive to be great ADs’.
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 6-8:30pm, 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.
Course Work:
There will be weekly assignments that are mandatory to complete. You will receive templates, but are not required to use them.
Each assignment must be completed by the following week’s class.
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.
