Producer / 1st Assistant Director

Job Overview:

The Producer / 1st Assistant Director is a core production leader at Distant Moon. This hybrid role functions as the lead producer on projects while stepping into the 1st AD role on larger or more complex sets. The ideal candidate brings production leadership experience, excellent communication, and strong logistics and schedule planning abilities.

This position ensures projects run smoothly, teams are supported, clients feel confident, and productions uphold Distant Moon's standards of excellence, service, and craft.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Lead all phases of production, including pre-production planning, production, and hand-off to post-production supervisor.
• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring financial efficiency while maintaining production quality.
• Handle all production logistics, including crew hiring, location scouting, equipment procurement, and scheduling.
• Track and reconcile expenses, ensuring productions remain within budget and financial reports are accurately maintained.
• Oversee wrap-up processes, ensuring all financial, legal, and contractual obligations are completed.
• Foster a workflow of quality, accountability, and communication across all phases.
• Streamline workflows, ensuring all production processes are efficient and well-documented.
• Utilize project management software to track deliverables and ensure deadlines are met.
• Identify and implement operational improvements to increase productivity and cost efficiency.

1st Assistant Director Responsibilities (on larger DM shoots)

• Create shooting schedules, call sheets, and daily plans.
• Run set in partnership with the Director to ensure creative and logistical alignment.
• Lead blocking, departmental coordination, and timing throughout the day.
• Communicate resets, transitions, safety guidelines, and schedule shifts.
• Support talent flow, scene timing, and on-set morale.
• Maintain set culture that prioritizes clarity, calm, order, and trust.

On-Set Leadership & Execution

• When not filling in as a 1st AD, being able to fill the role of Line Producer on set, making key decisions and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations on production sets.
• Delegate tasks to Associate Producers, Coordinators, and other crew members to ensure efficiency.
• Problem-solve and make real-time adjustments to keep the production on track.
• Ensure the highest level of professionalism and service-focused production experience for clients.

Essential Skills and Experience: 

• 3+ years producer/ 1st AD experience.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with experience overseeing production teams.
• Experience AD-ing or shadowing ADs on structured productions
• Expertise in budgeting, scheduling, and financial tracking for productions.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and on-the-spot decision-making on set.
• Strong client-facing communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Knowledge of industry-standard tools and software, including Wrapbook, Teamwork, or similar project management and financial platforms.
• Ability to travel for on-location shoots, as needed.
• Motivated and self-directed.
• Strong commitment to excellence, creativity, collaboration, integrity, and a lead-by-example work ethic
• Able to self-examine and revise work before submitting for review.
• Welcomes constructive criticism and enjoys learning new ways to sharpen and hone craft.

Reporting to this position: 

• Crew Members (as assigned per project)

Additional Preferred Skills (Not Required)

• Experience managing RFPs (new search for project management platform)
• Using Teamwork Project Management Software
• Media Management
• PMP Certification