Producers and Directors
27-2012.00
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.
Sample of reported job titles: Animation Director, Artistic Director, Content Producer, Digital Producer, Director, Executive Producer, Line Producer, Multimedia Producer, News Producer, Newscast Producer, Producer, Production Director, Production Manager, Radio Producer, Stage Director, Stage Manager, Television News Producer (TV News Producer), Television Producer (TV Producer), Theater Director, TV Director (Television Director)
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- 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.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
- Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
- Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
- 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.
- 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.
- Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
- Arrange financing for productions.
- 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.
Technology Skills
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Asana; Google Drive; Slack π₯
- Content workflow software - Atlassian JIRA π₯
- Data base user interface and query software - Airtable; Microsoft Access π₯
- Data mining software - Google Analytics π₯
- Desktop communications software - Eko
- Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign π₯; Microsoft Publisher
- Development environment software - Adobe ActionScript
- Document management software - Adobe Acrobat π₯
- Electronic mail software - Email software; Google Gmail; Microsoft Outlook π₯
- Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML π₯
-
Graphics or photo imaging software -
Adobe Creative Cloud software π₯; Adobe Illustrator π₯; Adobe Photoshop
; Canva π₯; Chyron CAMIO; Graphics creation software
- Information retrieval or search software - Pinterest
- Instant messaging software - Snapchat; Twitter
- Music or sound editing software - Adobe Audition; Avid Digidesign Pro Tools; Avid Technology Pro Tools; Broadcast Electronics AudioVAULT FleX; MAGIX Software Sound Forge; Magix Vegas Pro
-
Office suite software -
Google Workspace software π₯; Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software - Microsoft Windows π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
- Project management software - Atlassian Confluence π₯; Microsoft Project π₯; Microsoft Teams π₯; Project management software
- Sales and marketing software - Google Ads
- Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel π₯
- Video conferencing software - FaceTime; Zoom π₯
-
Video creation and editing software -
Adobe After Effects ; Adobe Premiere Pro; AP ENPS; Apple Final Cut Pro; Avid Technology iNEWS; Avid Technology Media Composer; Avid Technology NewsCutter; Grass Valley EDIUS; Live streaming software; Ross Video Xpression; Screencastify; TikTok π₯; Video editing software; WideOrbit; YouTube
- Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver; Blogging software; Content management systems CMS; Facebook π₯; Instagram; LinkedIn π₯; Social media sites; Web content management system CMS software; WordPress π₯
- Web platform development software - Cascading style sheets CSS π₯; Drupal π₯; Hypertext markup language HTML π₯; JavaScript π₯; PHP π₯
- Word processing software - Google Docs π₯; Microsoft Word π₯; Scripting software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
- Coordinate artistic activities.
- Direct productions or performances.
- Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
- Manage content of broadcasts or presentations.
- Study scripts to determine project requirements.
- Coordinate activities of production personnel.
- Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.
- Manage operations of artistic or entertainment departments or organizations.
- Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.
- Select materials or props.
- Discuss production content and progress with others.
- Compile technical information or documentation.
- Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
- Obtain copyrights or other legal permissions.
- Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
- Edit written materials.
- Write material for artistic or entertainment purposes.
- Edit audio or video recordings.
- Write informational material.
- Determine presentation subjects or content.
- Negotiate for services.
- Develop promotional strategies or plans.
- Direct fundraising or financing activities.
- Select staff, team members, or performers.
- Audition or interview potential performers or staff members.