Assistant Directors
Experienced 1st and 2nd ADs managing productions across Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
The assistant director orchestrates the logistics of Spanish production, where Mediterranean light, diverse architecture, and strong regional incentives attract a constant flow of international work. From coordinating at Ciudad de la Luz in Alicante to managing location shoots at the Alhambra or across Andalucía's desert landscapes, the 1st AD navigates Spain's autonomous community system where each region brings distinct permitting processes and production cultures.
NeedAFixer connects you with Spanish ADs who understand the country's rich but complex production landscape. Our network includes professionals experienced at Ciudad de la Luz, Estudios Picasso in Madrid, and on location across Andalucía, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands, with practical knowledge of Spain's 30% national tax incentive, ICAA coordination, and the additional regional incentives offered by Catalonia, Andalucía, and the Canaries.
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.
Spanish Production Expertise
Our ADs have credits on major international productions including Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. They manage complex shoots across Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and the Canary Islands with proven logistics experience.
02.
Regional Incentive Knowledge
ADs familiar with Ciudad de la Luz, Estudios Picasso, and regional filming logistics. They navigate Spain's 30% national incentive plus additional regional incentives from Andalucía Film Commission, Catalonia Film Commission, and Canarias Film.
03.
Spanish-English Bilingual Communication
Fluent Spanish and English speakers ensuring clear communication between international directors and Spanish crews. They navigate regional language considerations (Catalan in Barcelona, for example) and local production customs.
04.
Mediterranean & Desert Scheduling
Expert schedule management leveraging Spain's exceptional sunshine hours. Our ADs plan around Alhambra heritage permits, Canary Islands weather advantages, and the logistics of desert location shoots in Almería and Andalucía.
On Location
1st ADs running multilingual call sheets across Castilian, Catalan, Basque, and Galician for the Almodóvar, Bayona, and Mediapro pipelines
Here is how this works in practice. Spain's 1st AD roster is anchored by senior crew working out of the Almodóvar El Deseo slate (Pedro Almodóvar's regular AD collaborators across the Pain and Glory, Parallel Mothers, Volver canon). Bayona Apaches Entertainment productions (The Orphanage, The Impossible, Society of the Snow Andes-survival 2024 Oscar nom). The Sorogoyen Atresmedia Cine action-feature pipeline (El Reino, Las bestias, the Antidisturbios HBO-Movistar+ co-production). Plus prestige-series 1st ADs on Money Heist La Casa de Papel (Mediapro Studios Sant Joan Despí).
Here is the short of it. Elite (Netflix Spain), Las Chicas del Cable (Bambú Producciones), and the Movistar+ Originals slate. Training pipelines run through ECAM Madrid (the top Spanish AD program), ESCAC Barcelona, Universidad Carlos III Madrid. Bande à Part Barcelona, plus AISGE-AIE-ALMA union-side AD mentorship. Multilingual call-sheet delivery runs Castilian (primary), Catalan (TV3 and Catalan-language treaty productions), Basque (EITB and Bizkaia-Gipuzkoa-Navarra commissioning), Galician (TVG and AGADIC-funded). And Valencian (À Punt and IVC). Each region brings its own SAGD-affiliated AD pool.
Here is the breakdown. Productions filmed in Spain — Game of Thrones (the multi-unit Dorne, Bárdenas, Itálica, Trujillo, Cáceres, Peñíscola, Almería, Girona schedule), House of the Dragon (Cáceres medieval). Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Cádiz, Sevilla Plaza de España, Granada). Pirates of the Caribbean (Cádiz tall-ships). Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Spider-Man Far From Home. Star Wars Attack of the Clones (Sevilla Plaza de España Naboo). Solo: A Star Wars Story (Fuerteventura). Wonder Woman 1984 (Canary Islands volcanic). Fast & Furious 6 (Tenerife multi-unit chases). Lawrence of Arabia (Almería desert) — set up the multi-unit credit pool.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Spanish summer 40°C+ heat schedules in Sevilla, Almería, and Madrid drive split-call early-morning-and-late-afternoon scheduling, with siesta-window respect baked into the rhythm. AISGE-AIE union frameworks, Spanish labor-law caps (40-hour standard week, 12-hour daily rest mandate, INSHT workplace insurance), Schengen-EU crew movement. Plus Spain's ICAA 30% rebate plus regional uplifts qualify above-the-line AD spend through delivery.
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do in Spain?
The 1st AD runs the set — managing the shooting schedule, coordinating all departments, and ensuring the director focuses on creative decisions. In Spain, the 1st AD also manages regional film commission coordination, heritage site permits through autonomous communities, and navigates the country's siesta schedule considerations.
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 Spain's regional incentives work?
Spain offers a 30% national tax incentive, with additional incentives from autonomous communities. The Canary Islands offer enhanced rates, and Andalucía and Catalonia have their own programs. Our ADs understand how to maximize incentive stacking across regions.
Do your ADs speak English?
Yes, all our ADs for international productions are fluent English and Spanish speakers. Many have worked on major international productions and understand the expectations of Hollywood and European production teams.
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 Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and major international features shot across Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Almería, and the Canary Islands.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
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