Career summary

Details for Talent Directors


Description

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

Tasks

  • Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
  • Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
  • Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
  • Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
  • Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
  • Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
  • Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
  • Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.
  • Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
  • Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
  • Hire and supervise workers who help locate people with specified attributes and talents.
  • Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
  • Locate performers or extras for crowd and background scenes, and stand-ins or photo doubles for actors, by direct contact or through agents.
  • Direct shows, productions, and plays.
  • Teach acting classes.

Interests

  • Artistic - 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.
  • Enterprising - 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.
  • Conventional - 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.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • 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.

Knowledge

  • Administration and Management -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.
  • Personnel and Human Resources -Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • English Language -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 -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.
  • Clerical -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.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Listening - 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 - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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