Occupation Details
Producers and Directors
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$54,830.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$102,810.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$146,380.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
24,490
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
30,700
+621 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
2,965
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Electronic news gathering ENG cameras
- Grass Valley Ignite Automated Production System
- Laptop computers
- Lens finders
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Multimedia editing equipment
- Newsroom digital audio workstations
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Robotic cameras
- Sound mixing equipment
- Studio lighting systems
- Tablet computers
- Teleprompters
- Vectorscopes
- Video editing equipment
- Video switchers
Technology
- AP ENPS
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Airtable
- Avid Technology NewsCutter
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
- Avid Technology iNEWS
- Blogging software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- hire director or production staff
- hire director or production staff
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- audition performers
- prepare reports
- edit written material
- prepare periodic reports comparing budgeted costs to actual costs
- operate film or sound editing equipment
- operate film or sound editing equipment
- operate recording or broadcast studio controls
- order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- direct talent
- rehearse cast to develop performance
- negotiate business contracts
- resolve personnel problems or grievances
- arbitrate personnel disputes
- interpret stage-set diagrams to determine stage layout
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- direct camera operators
- conduct meetings with staff to ensure production objectives are met
- review script to determine costumes required
- conduct research on work-related topics
- oversee execution of organizational or program policies
- coordinate production materials, activities or processes
- give direction in audio recording studio
- confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- communicate visually or verbally
- communicate visually or verbally
- write business correspondence
- evaluate advertising promotions
- assess script quality
- research topics for programs
- review assembled film or video tape on monitor
- review assembled film or video tape on monitor
- review film, recordings, or rehearsals
- review film, recordings, or rehearsals
- evaluate length, content, or suitability of program for broadcast
- evaluate talent or individual
- schedule employee work hours
- establish production schedule
- plan or organize work
- prepare promotional plans
- use film production techniques
- use film production techniques
- use negotiation techniques
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- make decisions
- make decisions
- conduct or attend staff meetings
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- create art from ideas
- convey moods or emotions through music
- convey moods or emotions through music
- express creativity through music, dance, or acting
- tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
- tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
- write story copy
- edit video film scenes
- edit video film scenes
- rehearse role from script
- compose scripts
- compose scripts
- establish pace of program or sequence of scenes
- establish pace of program or sequence of scenes
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Hire principal cast members and crew members, such as art directors, cinematographers, and costume designers.
- Hold auditions for parts or negotiate contracts with actors determined suitable for specific roles.
- Select plays, scripts, books, news content, or ideas to be produced.
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
- Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
- Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes or "workshop" scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
- Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
- Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such as scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.
- Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements and cast and set accessibility.
- Conduct meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to ensure production objectives are attained.
- Cut and edit film or tape to integrate component parts into desired sequences.
- Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
- Compile scripts, program notes, and other material related to productions.
- Choose settings and locations for films and determine how scenes will be shot in these settings.
- Review film daily to check on work in progress and to plan for future filming.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
- Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
- Arrange financing for productions.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Actors, producers, and directors
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreAudiovisual and Broadcast Directors
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn More