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The Queen of the set
Paperback
Entertainment & Performing ArtsFilmmakingFilm Guides & Reference
Publisher: Adrian Conerth
Published: Nov 5 2026
Pages: 126
Weight: 0.68
Height: 0.27 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
Behind every great film, someone makes it happen.
On a film set, all eyes are on the director. But it is the First Assistant Director who turns the vision into a plan, and the plan into a shooting day.
The Queen of the Set is a practical guide to the work of the 1st AD, written by Adrian Conerth, who has spent more than 30 years in the American system and over 60 international productions as First Assistant Director and Production Manager. Step by step, it takes you from the first reading of the script to the last shot of the shoot.
Inside you will find:
- Script breakdown, scheduling and budget with Movie Magic
- The stages of production, from pre-production to wrap
- How to work with every department, from casting to stunts and special effects
- Call sheets, transport sheets, safety bulletins and risk assessments
- Basecamp, locations, stage and location shooting, and the first day on set
- Meal breaks, second unit, company moves and the rhythm of a real shooting day
- A glossary of film-set terms and radio commands
Real documents, real software, real situations, and the terminology that international crews actually speak. This is not theory, but a working manual from someone who has done the job.
Whether you are a film school graduate, a young assistant director, a production assistant who wants to move up, or simply a reader curious about how a film really gets made, this book will show you the mechanism behind the magic.
Informative, entertaining and extremely thorough - obviously the product of an experienced industry professional who truly loves making movies. Adrian Conerth's book should be required reading for film students and anyone hoping to have a career as a serious filmmaker.
- Christopher Landry, Member, Directors Guild of America
About the author: Adrian Conerth has worked for more than 30 years as a First Assistant Director and Production Manager, with over 60 international feature films to his credit.
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