Assistant Directors
Skilled 1st and 2nd ADs managing shoots across Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and NEOM.
Here is how this works in practice. The assistant director navigates Saudi Arabia's fast expanding production scene, where massive government investment is creating top-tier studio infrastructure alongside ancient heritage sites and dramatic desert locations. From setting up shoots at NEOM Studios and Jax Film Studios in Riyadh to managing location work at the UNESCO-listed Hegra site in AlUla, the 1st AD must combine modern production discipline with cultural awareness in the Gulf's fastest-growing film market.
Here is the short of it. NeedAFixer connects you with ADs skilled in Saudi Arabia's unique production environment. Our network has pros who have worked at NEOM Studios, Jax Film Studios, and on location across AlUla and the Red Sea coast. With practical knowledge of the 40% Saudi cash rebates, GCAM (General Commission for Audiovisual Media) permitting, and the cultural protocols key for smooth production in the Kingdom.
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.
Saudi Production Expertise
Our ADs have credits on global features, major commercials, and Vision 2030 shoots. They manage complex shoots across Saudi Arabia's new studio infrastructure and ancient heritage sites.
02.
NEOM, AlUla & Permit Knowledge
ADs familiar with NEOM Studios, Jax Film Studios, and Film AlUla operations. They handle GCAM permitting, the 40% cash rebates, and set up with the Saudi Film Commission and Royal Commission for AlUla.
03.
Arabic-English Communication
Arabic and English speaking ADs who know the cultural protocols of Saudi production. They manage prayer time scheduling, gender considerations, and set up with local authorities while keeping global shoots standards.
04.
Desert & Heritage Scheduling
Pro schedule management for extreme desert heat conditions. Our ADs plan around seasonal temperature windows, set up Hegra heritage site access, and manage the logistics of shooting at remote NEOM and Red Sea locations.
On Location
Saudi 1st AD floor management — prayer-time-aware call sheets, AlUla heat protocols, multilingual crew
Our Saudi 1st ADs run floor across the major studios. NEOM Bajdah Studios has four sound stages at 9,000 m² (the largest in MENA, opened 2022). Other studios have MBC Studios Riyadh and Jeddah, Telfaz11 Studios (behind Sattar, the 2022 Saudi box-office record, dir. Ali Kalthami), Manga Productions Riyadh (a Saudi-Japan Toei Animation JV), and Pixomondo Riyadh LED Volume.
Recent global 1st AD work shows the range. Examples have Kandahar (Gerard Butler 2023, AlUla and NEOM, $43M, dir. Ric Roman Waugh), Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie 2024, AlUla, dir. Rupert Wyatt), and Cherry (Apple TV+ partial AlUla).
The 1st AD workload covers two-tongue call sheets and prayer-time scheduling. Five daily prayers apply (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) plus Friday around 12:00-13:30. During Ramadan, the iftar-to-suhoor 9pm-2am window is peak production time.
Here is how this works in practice. Many-tongue crew radio call is standard. Languages cover Arabic MSA, Najdi, and Hejazi dialects. English is standard. Urdu serves the large Pakistani expat workforce (drivers, grips, runners). Filipino, Hindi, Bengali, Tagalog, and Indonesian also feature.
Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting are standard tools. The Saudi Sunday-Thursday workweek means call sheets diverge from Western Mon-Fri convention.
The compliance ladder is layered. The Saudi Film Commission (Ministry of Culture) sits over the process. GCAM handles type (G, PG, PG12, PG15, R15, R18). The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) covers AlUla jurisdiction. The NEOM authority covers the NEOM SEZ. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) covers Riyadh.
Other compliance items layer on. Ministry of Human Resources work permits and GOSI payroll sign-ups apply. Saudization Nitaqat quotas drive a 5% rebates uplift on the Cultural Development Fund's 40% cash rebates.
Here is the short of it. Heat-illness protocols are required in summer. June-September 45-50°C extremes need AC trailers and shade tents. AlUla winter nights drop to 5-10°C, which needs DIT condensation running on call sheets. Modest dress for female on-camera talent on domestic broadcast is standard. Religious site restrictions apply too — no non-Muslim crew within the Haram. Mecca and Medina are off-limits. SFDA halal craft catering schedules around prayer times. There is no domestic Saudi 1st AD union — global DGA work routes reciprocally via Dubai EPS bureaus (Entertainment Partners ME, Talent Bank Dubai).
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do in Saudi Arabia?
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 Saudi Arabia, the 1st AD also manages GCAM permit compliance, sets up prayer time breaks, and navigates the cultural protocols specific to the Kingdom.
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, 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 cultural requirements affect production in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi shoots must account for prayer times, cultural dress codes, gender considerations, and content guidelines. Our ADs build these needs into each schedule and brief global crews on expectations before shooting starts.
Do your ADs speak Arabic?
Many of our ADs speak Arabic alongside English. This is key for setting up with local authorities, GCAM representatives, and Saudi crew members. All our ADs for global shoots are fluent English speakers.
Can you provide AD teams for multi-unit productions?
Yes, we staff full 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 global shoots at NEOM and AlUla, Vision 2030 projects, and high-profile commercials shot across Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Red Sea coast.
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ACT 04 — On Set
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