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Director / AD / Script

Assistant Director - 1st

Rachael Bagley

  • Feature films & Television series - Main Unit and Second Unit productions. Working with Children Blue Card. 30 years' international experience delivering complex productions with precision, leadership and proven on-set expertise.
Gold Coast
With 30 years of international experience in feature films and television series, Rachael Bagley is an accomplished First Assistant Director with extensive expertise across both Main Unit and Second Unit productions. She has successfully delivered projects of every scale—from intimate character-driven dramas to complex large-scale action, marine, aerial and water-based productions—bringing exceptional leadership, meticulous planning and calm decision-making. Recognised for her strong communication, elite safety management and practical problem-solving, Rachael has worked on both DGA and non-DGA productions.

Kara Chandler

  • BA Media and Cultural Studies, Working With Children Check, First Aid.
Northern Rivers
1st Assistant Director with a number of independant projects under my belt.

Andrew McInally

  • 1st Assistant Director, features and series based in Brisbane, QLD.
Brisbane
1st Assistant Director experienced across Feature Films, TV Series, Feature Documentaries, Web Series and TVCs

Rachael Bagley

  • Feature films & Television series - Main Unit and Second Unit productions. Working with Children Blue Card. 30 years' international experience delivering complex productions with precision, leadership and proven on-set expertise.
Gold Coast
With 30 years of international experience in feature films and television series, Rachael Bagley is an accomplished First Assistant Director with extensive expertise across both Main Unit and Second Unit productions. She has successfully delivered projects of every scale—from intimate character-driven dramas to complex large-scale action, marine, aerial and water-based productions—bringing exceptional leadership, meticulous planning and calm decision-making. Recognised for her strong communication, elite safety management and practical problem-solving, Rachael has worked on both DGA and non-DGA productions.

Lists as:

  • Assistant Director - 1st

Rachael Bagley is a highly experienced Australian First Assistant Director with almost three decades of international film and television production experience across Australia, Thailand, Fiji, Malaysia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Rachael has worked on large-scale DGA films, while also supporting non-DGA local production, such as the popular STAN television show Good Cop Bad Cop (2025) and ABC’s Troppo (2024) as 1st AD Main Unit.

On the high-end international productions, Rachael specialises in large-scale action, second unit, marine, aerial, and water-based productions, with a strong reputation for leadership under pressure, complex logistics management and safety-focused execution.

Her expertise includes:

  • First Assistant Directing for major US studio films, streaming productions, and international television series.
  • Managing complex action sequences, second unit operations, stunt coordination support, marine units, and remote-location productions.
  • Extensive experience in water environments, aerial units, and technically demanding shoots involving difficult terrain, weather, and large-scale logistics.
  • Advanced scheduling, crew leadership, production problem-solving, and on-set operational management.
  • Strong collaboration with internationally recognised directors, stunt coordinators, producers, and studios including Netflix, Disney+, MGM, Columbia Pictures, STX, Lionsgate, WWE, Paramount, and Universal Pictures.

Her career progression demonstrates deep industry experience, advancing from 3rd AD and 2nd AD roles on international productions in the late 1990s and early 2000s to leading major action units and main units on global studio projects today.

FILM CREDITS
1st AD – Action Unit JOHN RAMBO (Feature Film)
1st AD – 2U ANACONDA (US Feature Film)
1st AD – Action Unit BALLS UP (US Feature Film)
1st AD – Main Unit LOVE BY THE GLASS (Australian Feature Film)
1st AD – Main Unit add’l Photography THIRTEEN LIVES (US Feature)
1st AD – 2U/Action Unit THIRTEEN LIVES (US FEATURE)
1st AD – 2U/Action Unit KATE (US Movie Netflix)
1st AD – Main Unit SKY FIRE (US/CN Feature Film)
TV Series
1st AD Main Unit GOOD COP BAD COP (TV Series Stan)
1st AD Main Unit TROPPO (Australian TV Series)
1st AD 2nd Unit NAUTILUS (UK TV Series Disney+)
1st AD Main Unit DARBY & JOAN (Australian TV Series)

Please refer to Rachael’s CV for a full list of credits and referees.

IMDb profile: IMDb Pro Profile

Kara Chandler

  • BA Media and Cultural Studies, Working With Children Check, First Aid.
Northern Rivers
1st Assistant Director with a number of independant projects under my belt.

Lists as:

  • Assistant Director - 1st
  • Director's Assistant

Coming up through the independent film world has sharpened my creativity and resourcefulness—skills essential when working with limited time and budgets.

My varied career has helped me to develop a compassionate, emotionally intelligent leadership style, fostering a supportive, inclusive, and transparent atmosphere on set. I prioritise the well-being of the crew and am proactive in advocating for their needs, ensuring a collaborative and productive working environment.

My background spanned commercial and event videography, where I worked as a shooter, producer, and editor. This has equipped me with a sharp eye for visual storytelling and a practical understanding of how to balance creativity with logistical efficiency.

My approach as an Assistant Director is rooted in a deep respect for the story. I believe that fully understanding the narrative’s beats, character arcs, and set pieces allows me to anticipate challenges, streamline the shooting process, and support the director’s vision with precision and clarity.

2024 – It Will Find You (1st Ad) – Deadhouse Films – Feature Film
2024 – Resonance (1st AD) – Deadhouse Films – Feature Film
2024 – Role Of A Lifetime (1st AD) – Dreamchaser – ABC TV Series

Andrew McInally

  • 1st Assistant Director, features and series based in Brisbane, QLD.
Brisbane
1st Assistant Director experienced across Feature Films, TV Series, Feature Documentaries, Web Series and TVCs

Lists as:

  • Assistant Director - 1st

Over 30 years industry experience, primarily focused on Australian feature films and drama series.

Direct Enquiries: 0408 710 478
E: andrew@boilermaker.com.au

Qld Agent: Essential Crew
Ph: 07 3846 7788
E: info@essentialcrew.com.au

RECENT CREDITS:

2025
TWO YEARS LATER (8 x 1/2hr TV Series) Block 2
DESERTED (Webseries)
NOT RUSSIAN ANYWHERE (Webseries)

2024
ZOMBUCHA (Feature)

2023 / 2024 / 2025
ZOMBIE PLANE (F) /25 Add’l Scenes

2023
AUDREY (Feature)
APPLES NEVER FALL (MINI SERIES) – 2nd Unit/ PU

2022
IN OUR BLOOD (4 x 1hr Series) – Eps 3 & 4
TEN POUND POMS (6 x 1hr series) – Stand-in 1st AD across various Eps
THE CAPE (Feature Doco)