Second Assistant Directors
Skilled 2nd ADs keeping your Japanese production on schedule from Tokyo to Osaka.
The 2nd Assistant Director on a Japanese production manages call sheets, sets up background artists, and handles the logistics that keep the 1st AD focused on the shooting floor. In Japan, 2nd ADs also track crew hours under the Japanese Labour Standards Act. They set up talent across many locations and manage the paperwork for shoots using local film incentive programmes.
Through NeedAFixer, we connect you with Japanese and English-speaking 2nd ADs who bring tight organisation and clear communication to each shoot day. Our network holds pros skilled at running features and series at Toho Studios and Toei Studios. They also handle multi-site shoots and the global co-productions that Japan's rebate scheme draws.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete 2nd AD Services
From call sheets to cast coordination, our 2nd ADs handle the core logistics that keep production moving.
01
Call Sheets
- Daily call sheet creation
- Schedule distribution
- Crew notification
- Cast coordination
- Update management
Communication Hub
02
Talent Management
- Cast scheduling
- Makeup & wardrobe calls
- Transport coordination
- Holding management
- Actor liaison
Cast Coordination
03
Background Artists
- Extras coordination
- Check-in management
- Wardrobe flow
- Holding supervision
- Voucher processing
Crowd Control
04
Production Reports
- Daily reports
- Time tracking
- Scene status
- Cast & crew logs
- Production paperwork
Documentation
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Second Assistant Directors
01.
Japanese and English-speaking Communication
Our 2nd ADs produce clear, accurate call sheets in the local language and English. They keep communication smooth between global crews and local Japanese departments, vendors, and background artists.
02.
Talent Coordination
Our team handles cast movements across Japanese shoots, from studio pickups in Tokyo to location transfers across Japan. We keep talent flow smooth by working with local transport and lodging services.
03.
Background Expertise
We handle crowd scenes with care, planning through local extras agencies in Japan. Our crews run quick check-in, smooth wardrobe flow, and tidy holding management for shoots of any scale.
04.
Administrative Precision
Our 2nd ADs keep careful forms aligned with the Japanese Labour Standards Act and local film incentive rules. They track crew hours and production accounting with accuracy.
On Location
2nd ADs Running Call Sheets and Cast Logistics
Precise call sheets are the daily output our 2nd ADs deliver. Bilingual Japanese and English sheets reflect Japanese Labor Standards Act crew-hour limits and ward-office permit windows in Shibuya and Shinjuku. They also map the cast moves needed across Tokyo hotel bases, Yokohama port sites, and Kyoto temple call times.
Our 2nd ADs send out updates through the night, so background casting agencies in Osaka and Fukuoka can confirm extras before the morning unit move.
Cast and background flow spans a wide range. That runs from principal pickups in Shinjuku and Sapporo to crowd marshalling on Shibuya scramble closures and historic Kyoto sets. Our 2nd ADs run holding areas and line up makeup and wardrobe waves at Toho Studios and Toei Kyoto Studios. They also handle voucher and timecard forms.
Those forms feed payroll, METI and JFC liaison for J-LOC reporting, and cover records. The 1st AD stays focused on the floor, because everything off-set is already lined up, confirmed, and on schedule.
Sourcing the right 2nd AD starts with the work, not a CV. We screen each one for bilingual English and Japanese, then confirm live credits on features, series, or commercials before we place them. Many have run multi-site units across Kansai and Hokkaido, where a single day spans a city base and a remote location. We match the 2nd AD to your shoot format, cast size, and background load. The aim is a clear communicator who keeps the off-set side tight.
Rates are quoted in JPY, with the 10 percent consumption tax shown as its own line. Our 2nd ADs build schedules against Japanese Labor Standards Act hours on turnaround and overtime, so call times stay legal and honest. They plan around Golden Week and Obon, when cast, crew, and locations all book out early. From Tokyo studio days to Okinawa exteriors, they keep the paperwork accurate and the day on schedule.
ACT 03
FAQ
2nd AD Expertise
What does a 2nd AD do?
The 2nd AD handles the logistics and forms that support the 1st AD's set management. This work covers building call sheets, setting up talent movements, and managing background artists. It also covers wrapping production reports and running the admin side of daily production.
How does the 2nd AD work with the 1st AD?
The 2nd AD works off-set to keep the 1st AD informed and supported. They get cast and background ready for set and handle the forms the 1st AD needs. They also plan the logistics so the 1st AD can focus on running the shooting floor.
What information goes on a call sheet?
Call sheets carry the shooting schedule, cast calls, crew calls, location addresses, and parking info. They also list department notes, weather forecasts, safety info, and any special instructions tied to Japanese production needs.
Can you handle large background calls?
Yes, our 2nd ADs are skilled with large crowd scenes across Japanese shoots. They work with local extras agencies and run quick check-in, wardrobe flow, and holding logistics.
What production reports do 2nd ADs complete?
2nd ADs complete daily production reports that log scenes shot, cast work times, and background numbers. The reports also note hours worked and any incidents. They are key for production tracking, accounting, and incentive compliance records.
Do your 2nd ADs speak English?
Yes, our 2nd ADs in Japan are fluent English speakers with strong local language skills. They speak clearly with global cast and crew while coordinating local Japanese departments, extras, and authorities.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need a 2nd AD?
Tell us about your production needs, and we'll connect you with skilled 2nd ADs.