The production manager and the assistant director are the all-important, publicly unheralded members of the film director’s team who oversee and regulate the ever-shifting, day-to-day production activities. Their work is absolutely essential to the smooth operation and successful completion of any film.

The Film Director’s Team is the first in-depth and thorough study of these jobs. It is a must-read guide for all who contemplate working as production managers or assistant directors, as well as for students of film directing and film production. Its wealth of information includes detailed, practical discussions of cost reporting, script breakdown, production boards, scheduling, production reports, and much more.

Alain Silver has worked as an assistant director for Paramount, Columbia, Warner Bros., MGM, and Universal, and has been a producer and production manager on dozens of features and television programs. He is the author of The Samurai Film and the co-author of David Lean and His Films. With Elizabeth Ward, Silver authored Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles, Film Noir, and a book on producer/director Robert Aldrich.

Elizabeth Ward has worked as an as a unit production manager and an assistant director for Paramount and various independent production companies. She has also produced and directed short films and music videos.