Second Assistant Directors
Skilled 2nd ADs keeping your Mexican production on schedule from Mexico City to Guadalajara.
Here is how this works in practice. The 2nd Assistant Director on a Mexican production manages call sheets, sets up background artists, and handles the logistical details that keep the 1st AD focused on the shooting floor. In Mexico, 2nd ADs must handle Mexican Federal Labour Law (LFT) 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 Spanish and 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 Baja Studios and Estudios Churubusco, multi-site shoots, and global co-productions that Mexico'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.
Spanish and 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 Mexican departments, vendors, and background artists.
02.
Talent Coordination
Pro management of cast movements across Mexican shoots, from studio pickups in Mexico City to location transfers across Mexico. 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 Mexico. Efficient check-in, wardrobe flow, and holding management for shoots of any scale.
04.
Administrative Precision
Careful forms and reporting aligned with Mexican Federal Labour Law (LFT) and local film incentive records needs. Accurate crew hour tracking and production accounting.
On Location
2nd ADs running cast call-sheets, background pulls (1,500+ on Spectre Zócalo opening), and bilingual on-set marshalling through STIC + STPC + DGADUM framework
Here is how this works in practice. Mexican 2nd ADs anchor cast logistics on the deepest LatAm crew base. Our 2nd ADs have run Cuarón's Roma 2018 (CDMX Roma/Condesa cast and large background pulls), del Toro's Pinocchio (2022 AnimaEstudios Toluca), Iñárritu's Bardo (2022 CDMX), the Spectre 007 Day of the Dead Zócalo opening (1,500+ background performers — one of the largest crowd-scene 2nd-AD pulls in today's feature production), Apocalypto (Mel Gibson 2006. Yucatec Maya indigenous-language cast planning through INALI certification), Sicario / Sicario 2 CDMX-Sonora, and Narcos: Mexico CDMX-Guadalajara-Tijuana Netflix multi-season. 2nd ADs train through CCC (est. 1975 — del Toro, Reygadas alumni), CUEC/ENAC-UNAM (founded 1963), and the telenovela-trained Televisa San Ángel and TV Azteca daily-cast-pull infrastructure that built generations of large-cast planning discipline.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. 2nd AD scope: cast call-sheet production (bilingual Mexican Spanish / English), cast pickup and wrap planning, background pulls (Mexico's deep telenovela-trained extras pool delivers top-tier large-crowd scenes. The list covers Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán mariachi pulls, Aztec dancer pulls for ceremonial scenes, Lucha Libre wrestler pulls, indigenous-community pulls via INALI certification across Nahuatl, Maya Yucatec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Tzotzil, Tarahumara communities), talent care, and ANDA actors guild signing contract liaison. We set up IMSS workers' comp sign-ups (required federal), 16% IVA, ISR income tax bracket-based, peso settlement (MXN ~17-18:1 USD), Monday-Friday + Saturday-optional working-week standard. STIC, STPC, DGADUM (directors guild. 2nd ADs apprentice under DGADUM trajectory), ANDA, and USMCA framework with DGA reciprocal plan via the 12-minute Tijuana-LA border govern contracts. INM work permits for foreign cast and crew.
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 Mexican production needs.
Can you handle large background calls?
Yes, our 2nd ADs are skilled with large crowd scenes across Mexican 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 Mexico are fluent English speakers with strong local language skills. They communicate clearly with global cast and crew while setting up with local Mexican 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.