Most commonly reported 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 Analysing 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.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

The Director is the chief storyteller – the person who must propose and deliver a coherent visual narrative and creative framework through which to take a concept/script and deliver it as a compelling and effective piece of television.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Responsible for the quality of everything the audience experiences, from the structure, style, and narrative tone, to the sound track of a programme.  Within this, the effectiveness of contributions by interviewees and the performance of cast members and talent fall to the director to make as impactful as possible.

• Often plays a key role in selecting the main creative team, including the presenter, writer, assistant/line producers, and editor.

• Heavily involved in the pre-production stage and is typically included in presentations to the broadcaster.

• Contracted from pre-production through to post-production and final delivery of the finished programme(s).

• The role of producer/director (PD) is becoming more common as budgets are squeesed and production companies are forced to economise.  As the name suggests, this role combines the key tasks of both producer and director.

Works with

• Executive Producer
• Producer
• Broadcaster
• Sponsors/Financiers/Advertising and PR Agencies
• Writer
• Editor
• Sound Post-Production
• Talent/Cast

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• 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, characterisation, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimised.
• 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.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Education Route: Possible study routes include media and film studies, or the broader humanities.

Career Path to Director TV/Film: Directors follow varied paths to the role.  Some have been editors, producers, and writers.  In the case of factual and current affairs, many directors will have been journalists.  

Career Path from Director TV/Film: Lead Director, Series Director, Creative Director, Executive Producer/Head of Content.