What’s an ‘AD’?  

The AD Department Launch Lab dives into the essential role of the Assistant Director (AD), revealing how they orchestrate the daily workings of a film or TV production. 

Presented by expert South Australia Assistant Director, Waeel Nassereddine, this full-day lab will provide a comprehensive introduction to the vital role of Assistant Directors, demystifying the AD department’s multifaceted responsibilities, and showcasing their pivotal role in ensuring polished and efficient on-set operations. 

The program looks at the practical and logistical aspects of the AD’s work, and the wide-ranging responsibilities of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Assistant Directors, including: 

• Shoot schedules  

• Pre-production workflows  

• Call sheets 

• On-set protocols and communication  

• Early-career pathways into the screen industry as an AD  

The AD Department Launch Lab is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable, practical insights, and a deep understanding the vital roles across the AD team.  

Date: Saturday 28 March 2026 

Time: Doors 9.30am | Lab 10.00am – 4.00pm | Networking 4.00pm – 5.00pm

Venue: The Mercury  

WAEEL NASSEREDDINE

Waeel Nassereddine is an assistant director based in Adelaide with over ten years’ experience in the film industry across Australia and Canada. 1st AD credits include the feature films Monolith (2022) and Carnifex (2022), and AD credits on Sophie Hyde’s Jimpa (2025) and Dario Russo’s The Fox (2025). Television AD credits include Top End Bub for Prime (2025), Channel 7’s RFDS, and Netflix’s upcoming series My Brilliant Career.