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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Telephone
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Contact With Others
  • Freedom to Make Decisions
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Edit written materials.
  • Write informational material.
  • Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
  • Coordinate artistic activities.
  • Direct productions or performances.
  • Coordinate activities of production personnel.
  • Read More

Knowledge

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.
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.
Read More

Skills

Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Document management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Hot Technology
Project management software
  • Microsoft Project Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
Read More