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The State of Assistant Directing

The role of a Chief Assistant Director (Chief AD) is arguably the most stressful job on a film set. You are the engine of the production. But are you being compensated fairly? Our data science team analyzed recent verified postings to break down the standard rates.

The 2026 Rate Card

High-Budget OTT Series (Netflix/Prime): ₹1.2L - ₹1.8L per month
Commercial Music Videos: ₹15,000 - ₹25,000 per shift
Indie Feature Films: ₹80,000 - ₹1L per month (often negotiated as a flat project fee)
TVC (Television Commercials): ₹20,000 - ₹35,000 per shift

Negotiation Tactics

The biggest mistake young ADs make is accepting a low flat fee for a project that inevitably runs over schedule. Always negotiate a weekly or monthly cap, with clear overtime stipulations. The industry is currently facing a shortage of highly organized Chief ADs, meaning your negotiation power has never been higher.

Find Your Next Project

Stop relying on WhatsApp groups. Verify your credits on CrewUp and let the top production houses come to you.

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