Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 166,200 people employed as producers and directors in the United States. The median annual salary is $79,000. Entry level employees earn approximately $38,210 per year and senior employees earn approximately $206,860 (or more) per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.
• 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.

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