A Day in the Life: On Location with Our HOD

Introducing our new ‘A Day in the Life’ series where each month, we bring you insight from one of the ADF Group team members, covering various departments. This month, we follow Paul Jones, our HOD, who ensures our facility vehicles operate seamlessly on set.

1. Can you describe a typical morning for you on set?
I’m up before 6am to open up the trailers and make sure everything’s ready for the cast and production teams. After breakfast, which can sometimes serve up to 100 people, we clean down all the facilities and check with production for any new requirements for that day.

2. What are your main responsibilities with the facility vehicles?
My main job is keeping the trailers safe, clean, and comfortable for the whole team. I coordinate with our account managers daily to ensure we have everything needed for the week’s schedule, plus any last-minute movements or additional kit that might be needed.

3. How do you handle unexpected issues on location?
Challenges do come up, but with years of experience, our team is quick to resolve them. If it’s a maintenance issue, I’m ready to step in until our specialised support team arrives. Communication with our Bridgend and Longcross teams is essential to keep everything running smoothly.

4. Who do you work most closely with on set?
I work closely with location managers and line producers, advising on the best setup for our facility vehicles and ensuring the space is suitable. I support all the teams though, helping keep everything running smoothly so filming isn’t disrupted by logistical issues.

5. What’s been one of your most memorable moments on the job?
Definitely working on The Crown in Spain for five weeks. Stunning locations, great weather, and an amazing team — just a fantastic experience.

6. How do you wind down at the end of the day?
We wrap up late, but I love exploring the area when I can, maybe grabbing a meal and socialising with the team.

7. What do you enjoy most about working on film and TV sets?
It’s rewarding to watch the final production air and remember all the locations visited, especially knowing that most people wouldn’t recognise where different scenes were filmed. You get to meet talented people and create memories—it’s a job I genuinely enjoy!