Talent Directors

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $36K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $51K
Median Salary: $76K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $118K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $184K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.

Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.

Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.

Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.

Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.

Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.

Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.

Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.

Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.

Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.

Direct shows, productions, and plays.

Hire and supervise workers who help locate people with specified attributes and talents.

Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.

Teach acting classes.

Locate performers or extras for crowd and background scenes, and stand-ins or photo doubles for actors, by direct contact or through agents.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Calendar and scheduling software
Appointment scheduling software
Data base user interface and query software
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Electronic mail software
Email software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Object or component oriented development software
Oracle Java
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video creation and editing software
Video content editing software
Web page creation and editing software
Website development software
Web platform development software
Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer data input scanners
Consumer electronics
Digital video disk DVD players
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Laser facsimile machines
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital video cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
English Language
84%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service
81%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Communications and Media
72%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Personnel and Human Resources
72%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Administration and Management
70%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical
69%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Fine Arts
67%
Importance

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Sales and Marketing
64%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Economics and Accounting
55%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Psychology
55%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Social Perceptiveness
78%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Monitoring
68%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Negotiation
68%
Importance

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Complex Problem Solving
65%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Coordination
65%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
83%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Inductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Clarity
75%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Deductive Reasoning
73%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Originality
73%
Importance

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Written Expression
73%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity
70%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
90%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
88%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
86%
Importance

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.

Thinking Creatively
84%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
80%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
79%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
78%
Importance

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
74%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Scheduling Work and Activities
74%
Importance

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
72%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Detailed Work Activities

Audition or interview potential performers or staff members.

Select staff, team members, or performers.

Coordinate logistics for productions or events.

Negotiate for services.

Maintain records, documents, or other files.

Study scripts to determine project requirements.

Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.

Monitor current trends.

Direct productions or performances.

Coordinate musical rehearsals or performances.

Teach classes in area of specialization.

Teach humanities courses at the college level.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Producers and Directors
Major
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Interests
Enterprising
100%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Artistic
81%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social
48%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Realistic
24%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative
19%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
95%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation
94%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail
92%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Persistence
88%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Concern for Others
86%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Integrity
86%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Adaptability/Flexibility
85%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Initiative
85%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Self Control
85%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Independence
82%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values
Achievement
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Relationships
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Recognition
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.