
Second Assistant Directors
Skilled 2nd ADs keeping your Irish production on schedule from Dublin to Cork.
Here is how this works in practice. The 2nd Assistant Director on an Irish production manages call sheets, sets up background artists, and handles the logistical details that keep the 1st AD focused on the shooting floor. In Ireland, 2nd ADs must handle Irish employment law and SI 299 working time rules for crew hours, set up talent across varied locations, and manage the administrative needs of shoots accessing local film incentive programmes.
Here is the short of it. Through NeedAFixer, we connect you with English-speaking 2nd ADs who bring disciplined organisation and clear communication to each shoot days. Our network has pros skilled in managing features and series at Ardmore Studios, Ashford Studios, and Troy Studios, multi-site shoots, and global co-productions that Ireland's rebates scheme attracts.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete 2nd AD Services
From call sheets to cast coordination, our 2nd ADs handle the essential logistics that support efficient production.
01
Call Sheets
- Daily call sheet creation
- Schedule distribution
- Crew notification
- Cast coordination
- Update management
Communication Hub
02
Talent Management
- Cast scheduling
- Makeup & wardrobe calls
- Transport coordination
- Holding management
- Actor liaison
Cast Coordination
03
Background Artists
- Extras coordination
- Check-in management
- Wardrobe flow
- Holding supervision
- Voucher processing
Crowd Control
04
Production Reports
- Daily reports
- Time tracking
- Scene status
- Cast & crew logs
- Production paperwork
Documentation
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Second Assistant Directors
01.
English-speaking Communication
Clear, accurate call sheets in the local language and English. Our 2nd ADs make sure seamless communication between global crews and local Irish departments, vendors, and background artists.
02.
Talent Coordination
Pro management of cast movements across Irish shoots, from studio pickups in Dublin to location transfers across Ireland. Smooth talent flow set up with local transport and lodging services.
03.
Background Expertise
Skilled handling of crowd scenes with planning through local extras agencies in Ireland. Efficient check-in, wardrobe flow, and holding management for shoots of any scale.
04.
Administrative Precision
Careful forms and reporting aligned with Irish employment law and SI 299 working time rules and local film incentive records needs. Accurate crew hour tracking and production accounting.
On Location
2nd ADs running cast-and-extras call-in, trailer-base management, and movement on Vikings, Game of Thrones, Foundation, and Banshees set-day operations
Here is how this works in practice. Our second-assistant-director roster covers the senior 2nd ADs who managed cast-and-extras call-in, trailer-base movement, and hair-and-makeup-and-costume schedule integration on Vikings six seasons at Ashford Studios Wicklow (Travis Fimmel and Katheryn Winnick era), Game of Thrones across Titanic Studios Belfast and Paint Hall (the multi-thousand-extra Battle of the Bastards crowd-day running precedent), Foundation across Troy Studios Limerick (the Apple TV+ 320,000 sq ft stage site). Penny Dreadful and The Tudors at Ardmore Studios Bray.
Here is the short of it. The Star Wars Skellig Michael Force Awakens and Last Jedi units (with helicopter-and-curragh cast-and-crew transport planning), the Saving Private Ryan Curracloe Beach D-Day reconstruction (the largest extras-call-in Irish-cinema history). Plus the recent Banshees of Inisherin Achill Island and Inishmore unit, Belfast 2021 Troubles-era riot reconstruction crowd days, Normal People HBO Sligo-and-Dublin university-and-house-party scenes, and the An Cailín Ciúin Gaeltacht family-and-school crowd days. Training routes through IADT Dún Laoghaire, Trinity Film, plus the Filmbase Ireland and Pulse College Dublin practical workshops.
Here is the breakdown. 2nd AD workflow runs second-call-sheet authorship (the day-out-of-day cast call schedule), movement-order distribution (trailer-base to set hair-and-makeup-and-costume timing). Background-extras planning via Lock Casting. Lisa Zambra. Movie Extras Ireland databases (the Irish-Equity-registered union day-player roster), driver-and-transport scheduling, plus the safety-officer-and-medic call-in integration. SIPTU union coverage on the working roster, with day-rate-and-weekly-rate per the Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) industry-collective-agreement. Bilingual EN / Irish (Gaeilge) capacity for Gaeltacht shoots (the An Cailín Ciúin Best International Feature Oscar nom precedent confirms the Irish-language production viability).
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Section 481 32% tax credit qualifies 2nd-AD spend through Irish-resident hires plus the 40% regional uplift on named-area shoots outside Dublin-Cork-Galway-Limerick-Waterford. EUR Eurozone with GBP NI dual-currency on cross-border shoots, English-first comms with Irish-Gaeilge Gaeltacht support, plus CTA-borderless cross-border UK crew-and-extras movement.
ACT 03
FAQ
2nd AD Expertise
What does a 2nd AD do?
Here is the breakdown. The 2nd AD handles logistics and forms that support the 1st AD's set management. This has creating call sheets, setting up talent movements, managing background artists, wrapping production reports, and handling the administrative side of daily production.
How does the 2nd AD work with the 1st AD?
The 2nd AD works off-set to keep the 1st AD informed and supported. They manage cast and background ready for set, handle forms the 1st AD needs, and make sure logistical planning that allows the 1st AD to focus on running the shooting floor.
What information goes on a call sheet?
Call sheets have shooting schedule, cast calls, crew calls, location addresses, parking info, department notes, weather forecasts, safety info, and any special instructions relevant to Irish production needs.
Can you handle large background calls?
Yes, our 2nd ADs are skilled with large crowd scenes across Irish shoots. They set up with local extras agencies and manage efficient check-in, wardrobe flow, and holding logistics.
What production reports do 2nd ADs complete?
2nd ADs complete daily production reports logging scenes shot, cast work times, background numbers, hours worked, and any incidents. These reports are key for production tracking, accounting, and incentive compliance records.
Do your 2nd ADs speak English?
Yes, our 2nd ADs in Ireland are fluent English speakers with strong local language skills. They communicate clearly with global cast and crew while setting up with local Irish departments, extras, and authorities.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need a 2nd AD?
Tell us about your production needs and we'll connect you with skilled 2nd ADs.