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Art Director (Film, Television or Stage)

Kaitohu Toi (Kiriata, Pouaka Whakaata, Whakaari rānei)

Art directors plan, organise and control artistic aspects of film, television or stage productions.

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Secondary education

Useful secondary subjects include te reo Māori, design and visual communications, media studies, history and classical studies, processing technologies, music, dance and drama.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Diploma

Useful experience

Useful experience for art directors includes:

  • film, television or theatre production
  • any type of construction work
  • creative pursuits such as painting or sculpting.

What you will do

Art directors may do some or all of the following:

  • go over the script with the director to plan what sets need to be built
  • prepare a budget for the set design and build
  • design the set
  • hire an art department team
  • build or co-ordinate the building of sets to ensure it happens on time and within budget
  • work with wardrobe and make-up departments
  • work with special effects companies or teams to design special effects
  • hire equipment such as specialised props
  • prepare a daily breakdown of the script before shooting to confirm all sets and props are complete and in working order.

Skills and knowledge

Art directors need to have:

  • an understanding of the film, television, theatre and/or commercial production process
  • knowledge of the different roles within an art department and how the department operates
  • artistic and drawing skills
  • creative building skills such as carpentry, painting, sculpting or mould-making.
Pay

Pay rates for art directors vary depending on the size, length and budget of the production.

Job opportunities
Poor
Chances of getting a job as an art director are poor due to lack of demand.

Industry

Entertainment

Art directors plan, organise and control artistic aspects of film, television or stage productions.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become an art director you usually need to have progressed through other roles within an art department to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and experience.

A driver's licence is usually required.

A degree in film, television or theatre production may be useful – for example, a Bachelor of Design (Stage and Screen). A diploma or degree in any type of art, craft, or textiles subject may also be useful.

Chances of getting a job

Few opportunities for art directors

It is difficult to get work as an art director in New Zealand because the entertainment industry is small.

Your chances of getting a job are best if you network regularly with industry contacts.

Most film industry professionals build a portfolio of previous work to showcase their professional skills.

According to the Census, 153 art directors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Art directors may work independently, for production companies, or for advertising agencies.

They may work on:

  • music videos
  • television productions
  • commercials
  • web-based video clips
  • short or feature films
  • documentaries
  • corporate videos
  • theatre productions, including ballet and opera
  • festivals
  • concerts
  • exhibitions (such as Armageddon)
  • still shoots.

Find out more about training

Screen Production and Development Association of NZ (SPADA)
(04) 939 6934 - info@spada.co.nz - www.spada.co.nz

Progression and specialisations

Art directors usually specialise in film, short videos, or stage productions.

Working conditions

Art directors:

  • work varying hours depending on the size, location and filming schedule of the production. It is common for art directors to work long hours that may include early mornings and weekends
  • work indoors in studios, and outdoors on location
  • may need to travel nationally and internationally to different filming locations.

Useful personal qualities

Art directors need to be:

  • imaginative, creative, artistic and passionate
  • good communicators
  • good at research
  • able to lead, manage and motivate people
  • able to work well under pressure
  • well organised, with good planning and time management skills
  • adaptable, and able to multitask
  • good at budgeting and financial planning
  • patient.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Entertainment

Art directors plan, organise and control artistic aspects of film, television or stage productions.

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