Video and motion picture director

Video and motion picture directors are responsible for the overall production of a movie or television program. They edit and translate the script into audiovisual images. Video and motion picture directors supervise and manage the film crew. They convey their creative vision on the actors, audio and video equipment operators, lighting technicians, etc and direct them. Video and motion picture directors also supervise the editing of the footage.

The following job titles also refer to video and motion picture director:

television director
film maker
series director
movie director
video director
motion picture director
TV director
animation supervisor
film director
television and motion picture director
animated movie director
adventure film maker
director
film-maker

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as video and motion picture director. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Video and motion picture director is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to video and motion picture director.

director of photography
stage director
stop-motion animator
production designer
animation layout artist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of video and motion picture director. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of video and motion picture director with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of video and motion picture director.

Photography: Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
Film production process: The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
Lighting techniques: The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
Audiovisual equipment: The characteristics and usage of different tools that stimulate the sight and audio senses.
Cinematography: The science of recording light and electromagnetic radiation in order to create a motion picture. The recording can happen electronically with an image sensor or chemically on light sensitive materials such as film stock.

These skills are necessary for the role of video and motion picture director.

Work with motion picture editing team: Work together with the motion picture editing team during post-production. Make sure the finished product is according to specifications and creative vision.
Follow work schedule: Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Tell a story: Tell a true or ficticious story so as to engage an audience, having them relate with the characters in the story. Keep the audience interested in the story and bring your point, if any, across.
Work with playwrights: Work with writers through workshops or script development schemes.
Watch scenes: Watch raw scenes and shots after shooting to ensure quality. Decide which shots will be used and what needs to be edited.
Work with the director of photography: Work with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.
Adapt to type of media: Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
Finish project within budget: Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Lead cast and crew: Lead a film or theatre cast and crew. Brief them about the creative vision, what they need to do and where they need to be. Manage day-to-day production activities to ensure things run smoothly.
Develop creative ideas: Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.
Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Study relationships between characters: Study characters in scripts and their relationships to each other.
Work with pre-production team: Consult with the pre-production team about expectations, requirements, budget, etc.
Study media sources: Study various media sources such as broadcasts, print media, and online media in order to gather inspiration for the development of creative concepts.
Ensure visual quality of the set: Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of video and motion picture director. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of video and motion picture director. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Organise rehearsals: Manage, schedule and run rehearsals for the performance.
Operate a camera: Capture moving images with a camera. Operate the camera skilfully and safely to obtain high quality material.
Supervise a script: Supervise script preparation, maintenance, and distribution for all productions.
Help set rehearsal schedule: Develop and communicate rehearsal schedules, taking into account the availability of the physical spaces and of the participating team.
Liaise with event sponsors: Plan meetings with sponsors and event organisers to discuss and monitor upcoming events.
Attend read-through: Attend the organised reading of the script, where the actors, director, producers, and scriptwriters read the script thoroughly.
Attend rehearsals: Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Set up cameras: Put cameras in place and prepare them for use.
Hire human resources: Manage the process of hiring human resources, from identifying potential candidates to assessing the adequacy of their profiles to the vacancy.
Perform video editing: Rearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, and audio enhancing.
Coordinate rehearsals: Organise rehearsal schedules for actors and crew, collect and update necessary contact information as well as organise any additional meetings for the actors and crew.
Adapt a script: Adapt a script and, if the play is newly written, work with the writer or collaborate with playwrights.
Design lighting: Design the right atmosphere and an aesthetically appealing film with light. Give instructions on which equipment, settings, and cues should be used.
Edit digital moving images: Use specialised software to edit video images for use in an artistic production.
Create production schedules: Create the timeline for the production of a motion picture, broadcast program or artistic production. Decide how long each phase will take and what its requirements are. Take into account the existing schedules of the production team and create a viable schedule. Inform the team of the schedule.
Edit recorded sound: Edit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.
Supervise camera crew: Supervise the camera crew to make sure they use the right equipment, angles, frames, shots, etc., according to the creative vision.
Carry out auditions: Hold auditions and assess and select candidates for roles in the productions.
Supervise sound production: Supervise the creation of sound and decide which music and sounds to use for the movie and theatre production.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

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References

1. Video and motion picture director – ESCO