As 1st Assistant Director on an independent TV mockumentary comedy pilot shot on location in New York City, I helped lead a crew of over 200 people through a fast-paced, high-volume shoot. The project centered on a 12-person ensemble cast and scaled up to include background days of 50+ extras, requiring me to build and run schedules that balanced a large principal cast, sizable crowds, and a full production office housed within our high school location. My role demanded constant coordination across departments, sharp time management, and the ability to problem-solve in real time as the scope of the production shifted day to day.
Unique to this project was the range of specialty elements folded into a single shoot: full-scale sports choreography for a basketball game sequence, a live halftime show with dance choreography, and stunt work involving a mascot performer. I worked directly with choreographers, stunt coordinators, and department heads to safely and efficiently schedule these complex sequences alongside standard dialogue days, ensuring performer safety, tight blocking, and full crew readiness for each specialty setup. Leading a team of this size and complexity sharpened my ability to manage large-scale logistics, keep a big crew aligned under pressure, and adapt quickly without compromising the schedule or the creative vision.
