What kind of training does the program provide? play video  In order to graduate from the Program, you will be required to complete 400 days of paid, on-the-job training and attend regular unpaid curriculum-based seminars relating to aspects of the industry and your role as an Assistant Director Trainee. You will be assigned to work on episodic television, television movies, pilots, mini-series and feature films in both Los Angeles and various other locations. Your actual employers will be various studios and production companies.   The Program is designed to give participants the basic knowledge of the organization and logistics of motion picture and television production, including set operations, paperwork and the applicable working terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements for more than thirty guilds and unions. You will learn to deal with many different cast and crew members while you solve problems in highly varied and sometimes difficult situations. Trainee work is physically demanding and is characterized by long hours and may include periods of unemployment.   Where does the Assistant Directors Training Program lead? play video Upon satisfactory completion of the Program, your name will be placed on the Southern California Area Qualification List (QL), making you eligible for employment as a Second Assistant Director and eligible for membership in the Directors Guild of America. This is not a guarantee of employment following Program completion. The career ladder most frequently followed by Second Assistant Directors is Second Assistant Director, First Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager. This Program emphasizes administrative, managerial and interpersonal skills. Although some of our graduates have become Producers and/or Directors, an Assistant Director is not a junior director or director-in-training. What is required for entry into the Training Program? All Program applicants must: 1. Have employment eligibility to work in the United States for any employer (we cannot sponsor or sign visas); and 2. Have a high school diploma or GED; and 3. Have a demonstrated interest and/or experience in the motion picture and television, entertainment or related industries and at least one of the following: a) A Bachelor or Associate degree from an accredited college or university; or b)Certification that you are a currently enrolled student who will complete your coursework and graduate with a Associate or Bachelors degree no later than the date specified on the most current application; or c) Written proof that you attained at least the level of E-5 in a branch of the U.S. military service (a copy of your official DD Form 214 or a document on official letterhead, identifying the separation date and the condition of your Honorable Discharge); or d) Two years (520 actual workdays) of full-time paid employment (or its part-time equivalent).  You may also use a combination of college credits and work experience to meet the eligibility requirements.  The combination must equal two years and be balanced (i.e. one year of college credits and one year of work experience).  Employment does not have to be motion picture or television industry related. If  I am accepted into the Program, do I become a member of the DGA? No. Trainees are not members of the DGA. However, upon successful completion of the Training Program, Trainees become eligible for DGA membership.

If I am accepted into the Program, am I guaranteed continuous employment? play video  The Training Plan Administrator assigns Trainees to work on productions. Such work is freelance and is often assigned on a moment’s notice. Although you will be allowed to seek alternate employment while unassigned to a project, you must always be available for your next assignment. Due to the freelance nature of production work, you will experience periods of layoff. While the Training Plan office works diligently to secure employment opportunities for all Trainees, we cannot guarantee continuous employment.

Is any kind of financial assistance available? Trainees who find themselves in dire financial straits while in the Program may be eligible to apply for short-term, low-interest loans from the Michael P. Schoenbrun Emergency Loan Fund.

If accepted into the Program, am I guaranteed to graduate? No. Acceptance into the Program does not guarantee that a Trainee will graduate. Continued participation is at the discretion of the Training Plan's Board of Trustees and is subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees. Trainee performance is evaluated regularly.

Who sponsors the Training Program? The Assistant Directors Training Program is administered by The Directors Guild-Producer Training Plan. Governed by a Board of Trustees, which consists of representative from the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) and numerous working committees. The Program is administered day-to-day by the Training Plan Administrator.

Do trainees receive health insurance? Yes. Trainees receive medical insurance coverage through a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).

Historical video of Trainees discussing regrets.  play video

Historical video of Trainees discussing what they liked about the Training Program.  play video

Historical video of Trainees giving advice to potential applicants.  play video