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Useful experience for directors includes:

• journalism or research work
• management work
• camera operation
• video editing or production
• directing media productions
• graphic design
• photography
• acting.

Directors may do some or all of the following:

• study scripts to determine how they will be produced
• instruct actors, presenters and performers on how a scene or role is performed
• work with crew to assess technical requirements of productions
• collaborate with make up, hair and wardrobe departments
• direct or collaborate on the positioning of scenery, props, and lighting and sound equipment
• direct or collaborate on how a production is to be filmed
• be involved in final editing in collaboration with the editors.

Few opportunities for directors

It is difficult to get work as a stage, film, or television 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, 729 directors (film, television, radio or stage) worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Jobs lost during COVID-19 pandemic

Restrictions to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected around 5,000 film industry jobs, including director jobs.

As the restrictions ease, some of these jobs may return.

The Government has announced $179 million of emergency funding for the creative industries, with a second round expected to be announced before the end of June 2020.

These initiatives may improve employment opportunities for directors.

Self-employment common for directors

Most directors are self-employed and work on a project-by-project basis.

Directors may work on:

• radio productions
• theatre, opera or dance productions
• television productions
• advertisements
• music videos
• corporate videos
• online video clips
• short or feature films
• documentaries

Directors may specialise in a particular area of production, such as feature and documentary films, television, radio or stage.

Directors need to be:

• skilled researchers and storytellers
• good communicators, with the ability to manage and motivate teams
• good decision-makers
• creative and imaginative
• disciplined and organised
• able to work well under pressure.