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

As the name suggests, multimedia producers have experience with various forms of media. These include, but are not limited to, video and still photography, video and audio editing, Web design, graphic arts and animation, scriptwriting and interactive media. You may not be an expert in every area, but you should have a working knowledge of multiple platforms.

It's important to at least understand a wide range of software. You should be well versed in nonlinear video editing and the basics of video production. Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and various Avid products are popular digital video editors. Some other commonly used programs include Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects for graphics, as well as Adobe Flash and Adobe Dreamweaver for Web design.

A multimedia producer is essentially a team leader or project manager. This will likely include working with and managing a team of people who specialise in certain areas of media production. Meeting deadlines and keeping the project within a budget are also common responsibilities. Because a multimedia producer can wear many hats, it's important to be able to multitask and remain organised. You'll often find yourself working on numerous projects at different stages during the same day.

Phases of Production

Multimedia producers play an important role in each of three phases in the production process: preproduction, production and postproduction. Preproduction is the planning phase. Your job is to help develop the concept behind the project, and decide what forms of media will be used. This usually involves processes like scripting, storyboarding, budgeting and setting deadlines.

During actual production, the multimedia producer may take on the role of director. This phase involves the creation of individual elements that will make up the final product. This would include shooting video, creating graphics and recording voice-overs. In postproduction, all the various media elements are brought together to create a final product. The video is edited and color corrected; graphics are finalised and inserted into the project; websites are published and disks are authored.

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.

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Programmers may come from a design or computing background, but the role demands a combination of both creative and technical skills. A degree or course in multimedia design, new media or graphic design is preferred, but isn't strictly necessary.Solid knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite software packages: (i.e. Photoshop; Illustrator; Flash Animation and ActionScript coding; InDesign / Quark Xpress; Dreamweaver or another Web Authoring Package etc). 

Aspiring Project Managers should seek out opportunities to gain skills in management and administration. Postgraduate qualifications might improve the chances of appointment and a qualification in management may be most appropriate.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: animation, digital media production, general management, project management, prince 2, scrum master.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: digital media, new media, media production, art, design and mixed media, business management, services management, marketing, social media management, communications.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Animation, ICT Security, Network Engineering, Software Developer, Lean Sigma Manager.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: communications, business management, general management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: project management, general management, media, digital media design.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater/ Morgan McKinley/ Prosperity/ CPL/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists, Authors, writers and translators, Actors, entertainers and presenters, Dancers and choreographers, Musicians, Arts officers, producers and directors, Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators, Graphic designers, Product, clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was almost on a par with the national average for this occupation; employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 but declined slightly thereafter. Based on the CSO Census data, over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2023 were primarily for roles in animation, film and TV. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to graphic designers. At present, the data does not indicate that issues exist in sourcing skills for this occupation.

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