From First AD to Quitting in a Day: Lessons Learned on a Chaotic Set
- Maria Granberg
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Becoming a first assistant director (AD) can feel overwhelming, as I discovered when I took on a low-budget project with a tight, poorly planned schedule and minimal prep time. My inexperience, coupled with a challenging lead talent who monopolized screen time and struggled with the lines, turned the shoot into a nightmare. By day's end, I was overwhelmed and in tears. This post shares the lessons I learned from that chaotic experience and why I decided to quit the next day.
The Reality of Being a First AD Without Preparation
As a first assistant director, I was responsible for managing the schedule, coordinating the crew, and ensuring the shoot stayed on track. However, I struggled to perform these tasks effectively under pressure. The schedule was unrealistic, featuring three company moves during a 12-hour shoot day, with scenes scheduled back-to-back and no allowance for delays.
Without proper prep, I found myself constantly firefighting. I had no clear plan for how to handle the talent’s demands or the added scenes she insisted on. This lack of control made the day chaotic and exhausting.
Dealing with Difficult Talent on Set
The lead talent demanded more screen time by adding unscripted scenes and struggled with lines, causing delays. As the first AD, I struggled to balance the schedule and the talent demands.
This created tension on set and disrupted the flow, and I felt powerless to enforce the schedule. It was a tough lesson in how important it is for a first AD to have authority and respect from the cast.
The Myth About First ADs Being Hated
At the end of the day, the team mentioned that first ADs are often disliked for pushing everyone to stay on schedule. However, from my experience on other sets, I know good first ADs manage to keep things running smoothly without causing resentment among the cast and crew.
On this set, I was overwhelmed and stressed, but I didn’t want to be the person everyone hated. I wanted to be respected for keeping things on time and organized, but the chaos made that impossible.
The Emotional Toll of the Day
By the end of the shoot, I was emotionally drained and cried that night, feeling like I had failed due to pressure, lack of preparation, and difficult dynamics.
I lost sleep thinking about how I could have handled things differently. The experience made me realize how important it is to be prepared and confident in the first AD role.
Why I Decided to Quit the Next Day
The next morning, I made the difficult decision to quit. I left the set and the team hanging because I knew I couldn’t continue in that environment. It was a hard choice, but necessary for my mental health and professional growth.
Quitting taught me that sometimes walking away is the best option when a situation is toxic or unmanageable.
Lessons for Aspiring First ADs
Preparation is key. Understand the schedule, script, and cast before the shoot day.
Set boundaries with talent. Learn how to manage difficult personalities professionally.
Communicate clearly. Keep the crew and cast informed to reduce confusion.
Stay calm under pressure. Your attitude sets the tone for the whole set.
Know when to step back. Protect your well-being if the situation becomes overwhelming.
Know when to step back. Protect your well-being if the situation becomes overwhelming.
This experience was one of the toughest yet most valuable lessons in my early career, forcing me to confront my limits, rethink my approach, and understand what it takes to lead on set.
Have you ever faced a moment on set (or in your career) where you had to choose between pushing through and walking away—and how did you handle it?
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