Struggler's shot: "Whom should i assist?"

Rachna_08 says: "Hi, came across your blog last week. Nice to see you are not talking about who is seeing whom! Have finished my Mass Comm and am passionate about Hindi films. Would like to learn direction 'cos i want to eventually direct a film. Which director do you suggest I start my career with assisting? Can you help with their contacts pls? And if I am not asking too much, how much do ADs get paid? Thanx."

Hi, Rachna, nice to know you like Bollywood Whisper. If you are passionate about films, then you must also have a fair idea of what kind of films you like and who your favourite directors are? I suggest you approach them to start with-- check out their office location and try meeting the Chief AD, First AD or Exec Producer if you can't meet the Director. If a director has 5 ADs it is likely that a newcomer stands a chance to be the 5th AD.

My suggestion is for your first film assist a lesser known or a debutant director-- its the best way to learn and the experience will come in handy when you approach your favourite director. Women ADs--and I am not endorsing this-- usually start off as those looking at prop continuity or costume assistants.

As for contacts, sorry don't want this blog to be a telephone directory. There are trade publications like Screen World which have the contact details; you can pick up them up from any bookshop. A fresh AD gets paid anywhere between 3000 to 7000 per month depending on whom you work for. Of course there are still creeps who don't pay anything. All the best.