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Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage)

Kaitohu (Kiriata, Pouaka Whakaata, Irirangi, Whakaari rānei)

Directors instruct cast and crew and oversee the artistic and production aspects of film, television, radio or stage creations.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a director. However, English, media studies, and music, dance and drama are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

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

Useful experience

Useful experience for directors includes:

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

What you will do

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.

Skills and knowledge

Directors need to have:

  • knowledge of how to best use pictures and sound to present a story or information
  • storytelling capability
  • understanding of how to structure a live or prerecorded programme
  • understanding of the technical aspects of production, such as design, lighting, video recording, sound recording and editing
  • knowledge of photography and music
  • the ability to create productions for specific audiences
  • creative and artistic ability to analyse scripts, books, plays and other writing.
Pay

Pay rates for directors vary depending on your ability, experience, and what type of work you do.

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

Industry

Entertainment

Directors instruct cast and crew and oversee the artistic and production aspects of film, television, radio or stage creations.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a director. However, a relevant tertiary qualification in screen, radio or stage production may be useful.

Experience in the entertainment industry and proven ability are essential.

Chances of getting a job

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

Progression and specialisations

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

Working conditions

Directors:

  • may work long and irregular hours
  • work in offices, studios, theatres, and outdoors on location
  • may have to travel long distances and sometimes overseas to get to location shoots.

Physical Requirements

Directors need to be reasonably fit and healthy as the hours are often long and demanding, and they may work outdoors in challenging locations.

Useful personal qualities

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.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Entertainment

Directors instruct cast and crew and oversee the artistic and production aspects of film, television, radio or stage creations.

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