Assistant Directors
Experienced 1st and 2nd ADs managing productions across Mexico City, Baja Studios, and beyond.
The assistant director drives the organizational machinery of Mexican production, coordinating shoots that range from Baja Studios' famous ocean tank to Mexico City's sprawling urban landscape and Oaxaca's indigenous communities. The 1st AD must navigate STPC union protocols, INAH archaeological site permits, and the logistics of a country that offers desert, jungle, coastline, and metropolis — often within a single production schedule.
NeedAFixer connects you with Mexican ADs who bring deep local expertise to international productions. Our network includes professionals experienced at Baja Studios, Estudios Churubusco, and on location across Mexico's major filming regions, with practical knowledge of EFICINE incentives, COMEFILM coordination, and the logistics of working with Mexico's large and skilled below-the-line crew base.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete AD Services
From pre-production scheduling through wrap, our assistant directors provide the organizational leadership that keeps productions efficient and on track.
01
1st Assistant Director
- Set management & control
- Shooting schedule execution
- Director collaboration
- Crew coordination
- Safety oversight
Set Leadership
02
2nd Assistant Director
- Call sheet preparation
- Talent coordination
- Background management
- Paperwork & reports
- 1st AD support
Production Support
03
AD Team Services
- 2nd 2nd ADs
- Key set PAs
- Crowd marshals
- Base camp coordination
- Multi-unit support
Complete Teams
04
Pre-Production
- Schedule breakdown
- Day-out-of-days
- Strip board creation
- Location logistics
- Shooting order planning
Prep Excellence
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Assistant Directors
01.
Mexican Production Expertise
Our ADs have credits on major Hollywood features, Mexican cinema, and international commercials. They manage complex shoots across Mexico City, Baja, and Oaxaca with proven logistics experience in diverse environments.
02.
Studio & Archaeological Knowledge
ADs familiar with Baja Studios' ocean tank, Estudios Churubusco, and INAH archaeological site permitting. They navigate EFICINE incentives and coordinate with COMEFILM and state film commissions across Mexico.
03.
Spanish-English Bilingual Communication
Fluent Spanish and English speakers ensuring clear communication between international directors and Mexican crews. They navigate STPC union protocols and cultural expectations on Mexican sets.
04.
Multi-Climate Scheduling
Expert schedule management across Mexico's diverse geography. Our ADs plan around tropical weather patterns, coordinate Baja Studios tank schedules with desert location work, and manage the logistics of archaeological site access windows.
On Location
1st ADs running floors on Cuarón, del Toro, Iñárritu, and international productions (Spectre 007, Apocalypto, Sicario, Narcos: Mexico) through STIC + STPC + DGADUM-framework call sheets
Here is how this works in practice. Mexican 1st AD work anchors the largest Latin American crew base. Our 1st ADs have run floors on Cuarón's Roma 2018 (Cuarón's Best Director Oscar — CDMX Roma/Condesa shoot), del Toro features (Pan's Labyrinth. This covers 3 Oscars including Navarro Cinematography 2007), Iñárritu's Bardo (2022 CDMX), the Spectre 007 (2015) CDMX Day of the Dead opening with Zócalo helicopter aerials and 1,500+ background performers, Apocalypto (Mel Gibson 2006 Yucatec Maya dialogue with Yucatán jungle Mexican crew), the Sicario / Sicario 2 CDMX-Sonora shoots (DP Roger Deakins), and the Narcos: Mexico multi-season Netflix run across CDMX, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. They train through CCC (Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica. It was set up 1975 — del Toro, Reygadas alumni) and CUEC/ENAC-UNAM (founded 1963), the deepest LatAm film schools.
Our 1st ADs deliver bilingual Mexican Spanish / English call sheets, manage 100+ extra background pulls on telenovela-trained TV-Azteca-and-Televisa daily-driver pipelines, run the Monday-Friday + Saturday optional half-day standard working week, and set up IMSS workers' comp registration (mandatory for all federal crew), 16% IVA, ISR income tax, STIC (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Cinematográfica, the federal cinema crew union) and STPC (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Producción Cinematográfica, the IATSE counterpart).
On the ground, DGADUM (the Mexican directors guild) and DGA/SAG-AFTRA/IATSE reciprocal plan via USMCA cover cross-border US co-productions. With the Tijuana-LA 12-minute border standard same-day. ANDA actors guild handles cast. INAH permits (mandatory for archaeological sites with 30+ day lead), INBAL colonial heritage approvals, SECTUR Pueblos Mágicos, INM work permits, DGAC/AFAC drone, IFT wireless frequencies, and hurricane-season June-November coast scheduling all fall under 1st AD coordination.
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do in Mexico?
The 1st AD runs the set — managing the shooting schedule, coordinating all departments, and ensuring the director focuses on creative decisions. In Mexico, the 1st AD also manages STPC union protocols, coordinates with INAH for archaeological site permits, and navigates COMEFILM requirements.
What's the difference between 1st and 2nd AD?
The 1st AD runs the set during shooting, while the 2nd AD handles logistics off-set — preparing call sheets, coordinating talent movements, managing background artists, and handling production paperwork. On larger productions, they work as a team with the 2nd supporting the 1st's set management.
How do Mexican unions affect production?
Mexican productions typically work with STPC (the film workers' union) which sets crew rates and working conditions. Our ADs have extensive experience navigating STPC protocols and ensuring smooth union relations throughout production.
Do your ADs speak English?
Yes, all our ADs for international productions are fluent English and Spanish speakers. Many have worked extensively with Hollywood productions shooting in Mexico and understand the expectations of international crews.
Can you provide AD teams for multi-unit productions?
Yes, we staff complete AD departments including 1st ADs, 2nd ADs, 2nd 2nd ADs, and additional support for main unit, second unit, and splinter units. We coordinate to ensure consistent communication across all units.
What experience do your ADs have?
Our AD roster includes professionals with credits on major Hollywood features at Baja Studios and Churubusco, Mexican cinema, and international commercials. Many have managed shoots involving water tank work, desert locations, and archaeological sites.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need an AD Team?
Tell us about your production and we'll recommend experienced assistant directors.