CAREER

Producers and Directors

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$79,000

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+7.7% (as fast as the average)

Career

Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career

What Producers and Directors Do

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.

Other Job Titles Producers and Directors May Have

Artistic Director, Director, News Producer, Producer

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

Anthony Veneziale

Creator ,

Freestyle Love Supreme

Most of my time is spent preparing for shows and coming up with new ideas. On the nights I have a performance, I along with five other performers take the crowd on a non-stop, hip-hop improv ride, spinning cues from the audience into instantaneous riffs and fully realized musical numbers.

Lydia Joyner

Filmmaker & Author ,

"My Sky Is Falling, Little Wild Thang"

I write and share stories. Sometimes I am working on making films. I also do speaking events.

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • 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.

Education

Level of Education Attained by Producers and Directors

Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (57%)

High school diploma or equivalent

15%

Associate's degree

13%

Bachelor's degree

57%

Majors Related to Career

Radio and Television

Theater Arts

Directing and Theatrical Production

Musical Theatre

Film Studies

Film Production

Documentary Production

Theater Management

Theatre and Dance

Dramatic / Theatre Arts and Stagecraf...

Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel

Lydia Joyner

Filmmaker & Author ,

"My Sky Is Falling, Little Wild Thang"

Do things that are beyond the structure of your world. Get comfortable with saying "no" to things that you don't enjoy or aren't passionate about and "yes" to things that give you joy.
Peggy Stern

Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker ,

"The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation"

Accepting my differences as a result of my learning disability, have taught me how to accept and own my mistakes. No matter what your differences are, you have to own them and not apologize for them.

Getting Started

Recommended First Step for:

Middle School Students

Andrew Phillips

Producer/Production Manager ,

Focus Features

If you want to get into film, I would recommend reading as much as possible. Not just about film, but everything from history to literature. You can always learn about cameras and technology, but what people don't realize is that film making is about story telling.
John Woldenberg

Lost & Found Expert ,

Los Angeles

Start being creative and sharing with others. Post a video to Youtube. Write a story on Tumblr. Put photographs on Pinterest. Don't get discouraged if you don't have the skills yet. None of us had polished skills to start. Learn something new...check out tutorials on Youtube. Read comments from strangers and don't get upset if they don't like your work or disagree with you. The world is made up of 6 billion seats in the audience and YOU ARE ONLY ONE SEAT. That's the cool part! No one knows what works.
Matt Maude

Writer/ Director ,

Left Eye Blind Productions

This applies to anyone who wants to make films. Whether they are in Middle School or transitioning into film. It's important to work really really hard. I know that sounds cliched. But it's wanting to do this job even when it's incredibly wet and cold outside. Even when you feel really really tired. You have to love films, creating things. Then you just have to be nice. Energetic. Enthusiastic. Willing to learn. Because everything else you'll need to learn you'll learn on day one.
Fernando J. Pérez

Video Coordinator ,

Silicon Valley De-Bug

Volunteer somewhere or collaborate with others to create change in some way. Be open to exploring your interests and what is available to you. You don't have to fully focus on one thing, you can do as much as you want.

High School Students

College Students

Everyone

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Related Careers

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Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Film and Video Editors

Media Programming Directors

Media Technical Directors / Managers

Music Directors and Composers

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