Career Details
Career Details
Use this dropdown to update your zip code
Back to top

Career Details

27-2012.00 - 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.


Key Facts
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
122,600
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
133,800
Estimate
Change in Employment
+11,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+9.1%
Estimate
Tasks
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
  • 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.
  • Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
  • Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
  • 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.
  • Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
  • Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
  • Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes or "workshop" scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
  • 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.
  • Compile scripts, program notes, and other material related to productions.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
  • Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
Generic
  • 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.
Supplemental
  • Arrange financing for productions.
  • Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
  • Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
  • Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
  • Cut and edit film or tape to integrate component parts into desired sequences.
  • 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.
  • Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
  • Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
  • Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Communications and Media
  • 93%
    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
  • 84%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Administration and Management
  • 71%
    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.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 67%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Telecommunications
  • 67%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Fine Arts
  • 65%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Education and Training
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Psychology
  • 57%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Law and Government
  • 57%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 56%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Design
  • 54%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Clerical
  • 53%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Philosophy and Theology
  • 51%
    Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Electronic news gathering ENG cameras
 Video and combination video and audio presentation equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Grass Valley Ignite Automated Production System
  • Multimedia editing equipment
  • Teleprompters
  • Video editing equipment
  • Video switchers
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Camera accessories
  • Lens finders
  • Robotic cameras
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
 Audio presentation and composing equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Newsroom digital audio workstations
  • Sound mixing equipment
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
  • Cascading style sheets CSSHOT
  • DrupalHOT
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
  • JavaScriptHOT
  • PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffectsHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative CloudHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • AP ENPS
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Avid Technology iNEWS
  • Avid Technology Media Composer
  • Avid Technology NewsCutter
  • Blogging software
  • Chyron CAMIO
  • Content management systems CMS
  • FacebookHOT
  • Google DocsHOT
  • Graphics creation software
  • Grass Valley EDIUS
  • Instagram
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Live streaming software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Ross Video Xpression
  • Screencastify
  • Scripting software
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • WideOrbit
  • YouTubeHOT
 Computer game or entertainment software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
  • Avid Technology Pro Tools
  • Broadcast Electronics AudioVAULT FleX
  • MAGIX Software Sound Forge
  • Sony Vegas Pro
 Data management and query software
  • Airtable
  • Google AnalyticsHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • FaceTime
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Twitter
 Business function specific software
  • Google AdWordsHOT
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Laurel Ridge Community College