Director

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Overview

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Workplace

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Requirements

77% Match

Career Spectrum

Resources

Overview

Description
Directors are responsible for the creative decisions of a production. They select cast
members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of the cast and crew. During rehearsal,
they work with the actors to help them more accurately portray their characters. They also
work with cinematographers and other crew members to ensure the final product matches
the overall vision. Directors work with set designers, costume designers, location scouts,
and art directors to build a projects set. During a films postproduction phase, they work
closely with film editors and music supervisors to make sure that the final product comes
out the way it was envisioned.

Stage directors, unlike television or film directors who document their product with
cameras, make sure the cast and crew give a consistently strong live performance.
Sample Job Titles: Artistic Director, News Production Supervisor, Technical Director

Provincial Outlook

Estimated Salary

Not Available

$21,493 - $101,037

Learn More

Learn More

Education Level
Secondary School
On-the-job Training
College/Apprenticeship

Compatibility

77%
Match

Related Occupations

Program Director

University

Learn More

Learn More

Related Videos

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Workplace

Work Environment
Directors work under a lot of pressure, and many are under constant stress to finish their
work on time. Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months.
Their work can be completed both inside and outside, and in both dry sets, as well as
unpleasant conditions, such as bad weather.

Main Duties

Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor

movement for each shot or scene.

Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound
crewmembers.
Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements
and cast and set accessibility.
Meet with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details
of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
Compile cue words and phrases, and cue announcers, cast members, and technicians
during performances.
Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public
entertainment or education.
Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such as
scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.
Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes, or "workshop" scripts,
through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
Select plays or scripts for production, and determine how material should be
interpreted and performed.
Meet with stage managers to arrange schedules for rehearsals, costume fittings, and
sound/light development.

Important Skills

Communication skills. Directors must coordinate the work of many different people to
finish a production on time and within budget.
Creativity. Because a script can be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide
how they want to interpret it and then how to represent the scripts ideas on the
screen or stage.
Leadership skills. A director instructs actors and helps them portray their characters in
a believable manner. They also supervise the crew, who are responsible for the
behind the scenes work.

Management skills. Producers must find and hire the best director and crew for the
production and make sure that all involved do their jobs effectively and efficiently.

Career Cluster

This cluster includes the elements of design, production,

exhibition, performance, writing, and publication of
multimedia content such as visual arts. This cluster also
includes the performing arts and design, journalism, and

Arts, Audio/Video

entertainment services.

Technology and
Communications

Outlook

Job Outlook

Alberta

Not Available

British Columbia

Not Available

Manitoba

Not Available

New Brunswick

Not Available

Newfoundland and Labrador

Not Available

Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario

Not Available

Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Not Available

Job Outlook based on NOC 5131 (Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations)

View Regional Data

Salary Ranges

Canada

$29,214 - $104,334

Alberta

$21,493 - $101,037

British Columbia

$31,300 - $104,334

Manitoba

$25,040 - $73,242

New Brunswick

$34,096 - $89,477

Newfoundland and Labrador

$21,388 - $77,583

Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories

$22,119 - $104,939
Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario

$30,090 - $101,121

Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec

$25,144 - $104,334

Saskatchewan

$32,239 - $81,360

Yukon

Not Available

Salary Ranges are based on hourly rates for NOC 5131 (Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations) and an
estimated 2086 hours per year

View Regional Data

Employment Growth

2012

106,170

2013

107,409

2014

108,375

2015

109,323

2016

110,103

2017

110,607

2018

111,105

2019

111,633

2020

111,894

2021

112,246

2022

112,648

Employment Growth based on Stats Canada Occupation Group 513

Requirements

Education Level

Secondary School

On-the-job Training

College/Apprenticeship

Requirements

A university degree or college diploma in film studies or cinematography

Subject Areas

Creative Arts

English

Languages

University

Related Programs

Bachelor of Design Photography

Film and Media

Queens University

Alberta College of Art and

Film and Video

Production
Luther College

Design

Career Spectrum

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE VISIONARY (EA)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Enterprising

Occupation Results

Artistic
54%

52%

95%

89%

Investigative

Conventional
46%

40%

11%

39%

Realistic

Social
40%

38%

17%

45%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is

LANGUAGES

NOT A MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Languages

Occupation Results

Social Science
56%

50%

41%

36%

Business

Mathematics
44%

44%

48%

36%

Science

Computers
44%

39%

17%

52%

English

Physical Education
39%

39%

33%

14%

Creative Arts

Technical & Trades

33%

28%

56%

30%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

INDEPENDENCE

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Independence

Occupation Results

Relationships
75%

75%

95%

72%

Achievement

Working Conditions
64%

61%

78%

67%

Recognition

Support
39%

36%

83%

28%

Compatibility
Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor
movement for each shot or scene.
Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound
crewmembers.
Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time

Not really

Maybe not

Just a bit

requirements and cast and set accessibility.

Meet with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss
details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.

Somewhat

Compile cue words and phrases, and cue announcers, cast members, and
technicians during performances.

Somewhat

Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for

public entertainment or education.

Somewhat

Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such
as scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.

Somewhat

Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes, or "workshop"

scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.

Just a bit

Select plays or scripts for production, and determine how material should be
interpreted and performed.

Definitely

Meet with stage managers to arrange schedules for rehearsals, costume

fittings, and sound/light development.

Definitely

Resources

Related Occupations

Program Director

Singer

Musician

Program directors direct

Perform for live audiences

Play instruments for live

and coordinate radio or

and in recording studios.

audiences and in recording

television station program

studios.

schedules...

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