Assistant Directors
Skilled 1st and 2nd ADs managing shoots across Mexico City, Baja Studios, and beyond.
Here is how this works in practice. The assistant director drives the organizational machinery of Mexican production, setting up 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 handle STPC union protocols, INAH archaeological site permits, and the logistics of a country that gives desert, jungle, coastline, and metropolis — often within a single shoot schedules.
Here is the short of it. NeedAFixer connects you with Mexican ADs who bring deep local expertise to global shoots. Our network has pros skilled at Baja Studios, Estudios Churubusco, and on location across Mexico's major filming regions, with practical knowledge of EFICINE incentives, COMEFILM planning, 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 global commercials. They manage complex shoots across Mexico City, Baja, and Oaxaca with proven logistics experience in varied environments.
02.
Studio & Archaeological Knowledge
ADs familiar with Baja Studios' ocean tank, Estudios Churubusco, and INAH archaeological site permitting. They handle EFICINE incentives and set up with COMEFILM and state film commissions across Mexico.
03.
Spanish-English Bilingual Communication
Fluent Spanish and English speakers making sure clear communication between global directors and Mexican crews. They handle STPC union protocols and cultural expectations on Mexican sets.
04.
Multi-Climate Scheduling
Pro schedule management across Mexico's varied geography. Our ADs plan around tropical weather patterns, set up 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.
Here is how the picture comes together. 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 sign-ups (required 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).
Here is what we have to work with. 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 (required 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 planning.
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do in Mexico?
Here is the breakdown. The 1st AD runs the set — managing the shooting schedule, setting up all departments, and making sure the director focuses on creative decisions. In Mexico, the 1st AD also manages STPC union protocols, sets up with INAH for archaeological site permits, and navigates COMEFILM needs.
What's the difference between 1st and 2nd AD?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. The 1st AD runs the set during shooting, while the 2nd AD handles logistics off-set — preparing call sheets, setting up talent movements, managing background artists, and handling production forms. On larger shoots, they work as a team with the 2nd supporting the 1st's set management.
How do Mexican unions affect production?
Mexican shoots mostly work with STPC (the film workers' union) which sets crew rates and working conditions. Our ADs have extensive experience handling STPC protocols and making sure smooth union relations across production.
Do your ADs speak English?
Yes, all our ADs for global shoots are fluent English and Spanish speakers. Many have worked widely with Hollywood shoots in Mexico and know the expectations of global 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 extra support for main unit, second unit, and splinter units. We set up to make sure steady communication across all units.
What experience do your ADs have?
Our AD roster has pros with credits on major Hollywood features at Baja Studios and Churubusco, Mexican cinema, and global 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 skilled assistant directors.