1st Assistant Director

In the summer of 2024, I was thrilled to land the role of 1st Assistant Director on the independent film Court(ship). Though I had previously worked as a 1st A.D. on a graduate student film, this was my first experience on a feature film set. The timing was serendipitous; my full-time role at Career Girls was transitioning to part-time due to funding shifts and changing organizational priorities. Faced with uncertainty about my next steps, I decided to take a leap of faith and return to the world of filmmaking to broaden my experience.

As my final month at Career Girls wrapped up, I discovered the Court(ship) opportunity and was immediately drawn to the story—a female-led feature film with a social justice theme. While reviewing the available roles, I noticed the 1st A.D. position was still open. At first, I doubted whether I was genuinely ready for the challenge, given that my recent work had primarily been in production at Career Girls. I considered applying as a Production Assistant instead, but then I remembered the invaluable advice I'd learned from the incredible role models I'd met: "Don't sell yourself short." I realized I had to believe in myself, so I went for it and applied for the 1st A.D. role. This self-belief was the key that unlocked a new chapter in my filmmaking journey.

Meeting with the director, C.M. Conway, only deepened my desire to be part of this project. Her passion and vision sparked my renewed excitement for creative collaboration on set. Two months later, I received the news—I got the position! I'm incredibly grateful to C.M. for taking a chance on me and bringing me on board.

We filmed five days a week throughout August, and the first week was particularly intense. As a skeleton crew with an ambitious story, we faced significant challenges, especially since it was the first time the crew had worked together. Still, the cast and crew brought remarkable commitment and energy to the project, learning to adapt to each other's work styles. Late-night shoots became routine, but our shared dedication to our end goal motivated everyone.

As 1st A.D., I aspired to lead in a way that inspired and uplifted the team, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. By the end of that first week, it felt like we'd known each other for years. This was evident when cast members and background actors asked, "How long have you all worked together?" or "How many films have your crew worked on?" Those comments reinforced the strong bond we'd already built.

Each week, a new location presented new challenges that required us to be agile and resourceful. Every crew member stepped up to ensure production ran smoothly, even though, for many, this was their first feature film. While no film set is without its setbacks, the crew's positive attitudes and genuine passion were the glue that kept us going.

Looking back, the experience was more than just another project—it was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with shared purpose and resilience. We wrapped with a finished film, a deep sense of accomplishment, and friendships that I hope will last well beyond this production. This shared purpose and resilience bind us as a community of filmmakers, always ready to take on the next challenge.