Profession 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.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Investigative
• Artistic / Realistic

Knowledge

• 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.

• Film production process

  The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.

• Photography

  Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.

• 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.

Skills

• Work with pre-production team

  Consult with the pre-production team about expectations, requirements, budget, etc.

• Finish project within budget

  Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.

• 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.

• Analyse a script

  Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

• 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.

• Watch scenes

  Watch raw scenes and shots after shooting to ensure quality. Decide which shots will be used and what needs to be edited.

• Develop creative ideas

  Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• Work with playwrights

  Work with writers through workshops or script development schemes.

• 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.

• Study relationships between characters

  Study characters in scripts and their relationships to each other.

• 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.

• Follow work schedule

  Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB