Spotlights
Television Director, TV Show Director, Episode Director, Series Director, Television Episode Director, TV Program Director, TV Series Director, Television Show Director
Television Directors work closely with writers and producers to create the shows we love to watch on TV! Many shows use multiple directors so they can get the filming done on a compressed timeline. They may also use guest directors to inject some freshness and unique perspectives, without veering too far from the show’s general aesthetic. Sometimes a show may bring on a particular director who has expertise in things like car chases or other action scenes.
Unlike Film Directors, TV Directors may have less input into the stories. Instead, it's their job to capture the vision of the showrunner (aka the executive producer) while doing the legwork to plan and film shoots while overseeing the crew and cast. Different types of TV Directors include Factual TV Director, Entertainment TV Director, Drama TV Director, and Live TV Director, each of which has slightly differing duties and responsibilities. They may also film commercials, working with ad agencies to raise awareness of a brand’s product or service!
- Working in a fast-paced creative environment
- Capturing performances on camera for shows watched by potentially millions of people for years to come
- Helping keep cast and crew working together in harmony
Lịch làm việc
- Television Directors may work full-time when assigned to direct a whole season of a series. In this situation, they may also have to put in a lot of overtime, depending on schedules. Not all TV Directors direct every episode of a show, and some don’t direct any series at all. If a director is brought in to do a single episode, or to film a commercial, play, or other relatively short production, they may have to supplement their income with other work.
Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu
- Review TV show and commercial scripts
- Discuss ideas with the show’s writers, producers, and other stakeholders
- Collaborate with sound, lighting, camera crew, the director of photography, the first assistant director, unit directors, and others
- Ensure the showrunner’s creative vision is understood and captured
- Work with casting directors, if necessary. Most series have their core cast pinned down already
- Work with art departments, wardrobe, hair and makeup, special effects prosthetics, and many other teams to make sure everyone is working cohesively
- Approve set or stage designs, as applicable (some shows have several regular interior sets they use repeatedly, while others may not)
- Go over budgets and financial considerations before production starts. Work with the unit production manager, as needed
- Help actors and other talent understand desired outcomes for each take, without micromanaging performances
- Direct scenes in a variety of settings including interior sets, outdoor location shots, green screen studios, and many more
- Ensure filming stays on schedule and within budget
Trách nhiệm bổ sung
- Talk with location scouts to find suitable places for filming particular scenes
- Go over anticipated technical or logistical difficulties such as inclement weather or physical hazards requiring stunt coordination
- Oversee post-production, when necessary (i.e., editing, and Foley sound effects, and adding visual effects such as CGI, compositing, and motion capture)
Một ngày mẫu trong cuộc sống
- Arrive before 7am
- Answer last minute questions about what the team will shoot that day
- Conduct private, short rehearsal with actors for the first scene
- Show the scene to the crew
- Get marks on every position where the actors stand
- Talk to the DP about how the scene will be shot
- Watch a camera rehearsal with the stand-ins
- Conduct a camera rehearsal with the actors
- Shoot the scene
- Move onto the next scene
- Will shoot on average 5-7 scenes per day
Kỹ năng mềm
- Khả năng truyền cảm hứng cho người khác
- Lắng nghe tích cực
- Ambition
- Bình tĩnh dưới áp lực
- Hợp tác
- Kỹ năng khái niệm hóa
- Niềm tin
- Sáng tạo
- Sự quyết đoán
- Định hướng chi tiết
- Cảm
- Linh hoạt
- Intuitive
- Lãnh đạo
- Kiên nhẫn
- Persistence
- Tính thuyết phục
- Kỹ năng giải quyết vấn đề
- Kỹ năng giao tiếp mạnh mẽ
- Làm việc theo nhóm
- Kể chuyện bằng hình ảnh và bằng văn bản
Kỹ năng kỹ thuật
- Knowledge of video camera equipment and filmmaking software, including professional editing tools
- Kiến thức kỹ thuật về lập khung hình và dàn dựng ảnh
- Familiarity with sound and lighting technologies
- Làm quen với thiết kế, hiệu ứng đặc biệt và quy trình hậu kỳ
- Hiểu biết chung về vai trò, trách nhiệm và thách thức của tất cả các bộ phận và thành viên phi hành đoàn quan trọng, bao gồm thiết kế sản xuất, tủ quần áo, nghệ thuật, trang điểm, âm thanh, hiệu ứng đặc biệt và hình ảnh, trang trí bối cảnh, điều phối viên đóng thế, đạo diễn diễn viên, v.v.
- TV and motion picture studios
- Independent Productions
- Các công ty quảng cáo và PR
- Ngành nghệ thuật biểu diễn
- Phát sóng truyền hình
- Video industries
Without Television Directors, we wouldn’t have anything to watch when we turn on our TVs! Although they don’t have the same level of creative responsibilities as Film Directors, they have complicated jobs that require a huge amount of leadership and multitasking. Luckily, the showrunners, producers, and writing teams take off a lot of the creative burden so that TV Directors can focus on their myriad other duties!
They don’t have to be away as long as Film Directors when shooting on location, but there are still plenty of sacrifices. Hours can be long, with hectic schedules and untold production problems ranging from budgets to logistics. Sometimes TV Directors even have to deal with unruly actors or crew.
Another potential sacrifice is that there may not be a steady paycheck if a director is only brought in for one or two episodes or a brief production such as a commercial. That’s why TV Directors often have to do other work to bring enough yearly income.
TV shows are becoming increasingly sophisticated thanks to the rise of streaming platforms. This has attracted big-name actors who are now more willing to do TV than ever before. Producers have risen to meet the challenge, upping the ante by hiring top-notch Television Directors to make shows that look and feel more like movies.
From Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max to Disney+, Apple TV, and Amazon, the floodgates have opened and viewers are met with a barrage of exciting new digital content they can binge from their living rooms. While Hollywood is still fighting to reel audiences into movie theaters, streaming has forever changed our viewing habits…which is great news for TV Directors who have more opportunities than ever before! Streaming has also opened things up for documentary makers and independent directors. A few other things:
- Increase in the amount of product for viewing
- “Binge watching” is growing
- Realignment of release windows
- Increased demand for female-focused films
Television Directors were almost certainly huge movie and TV buffs growing up. They may have enjoyed using camcorders or smartphones to shoot amateur videos for YouTube, showing early indications that they weren’t content to simply “watch” but instead had a burning desire to create!
Like all good directors, they were likely innovative and driven, good with both people and technology, and comfortable being in charge of things. In school, they might have been involved in student projects, extracurricular activities, and audiovisual clubs.
Directors tend to know at least a little about a lot of things, and thus might have been voracious readers on a variety of subjects. Perhaps above all, they are storytellers who love to use visual media to share and inspire.
- Most directors need a bachelor’s degree in film, cinema studies, or a similar field. Many complete master’s degrees, too
- Independent directors of small films have no formal educational requirements, but many also hold college degrees or attended formal training
- Các trường điện ảnh như Học viện Điện ảnh New York cung cấp các chương trình ngắn hạn cũng như các chương trình cấp bằng đầy đủ (xem danh sách các Trường Tài nguyên > Điện ảnh của chúng tôi)
- Additional ad hoc certifications such as the New School’s Documentary Media Studies Certificate can bolster your credentials
- Directing requires a slew of people and project management skills, so consider taking courses in communications, leadership, team building, conflict resolution, and project management
- Most film studio directors have years of experience working on sets in assistant director or other roles. Many get their start through studio internships
- The Directors Guild of America offers a highly competitive Assistant Director trainee program
- Directors may also need training on various health and safety issues, as well as state, local, federal, international, and studio policies regarding filming and human resources
- Viện phim Mỹ
- Đại học Truyền thông Boston
- Trường Cao đẳng Nghệ thuật Điện ảnh và Truyền thông Dodge của Đại học Chapman
- Trường Nghệ thuật Đại học Columbia
- Đại học Nghệ thuật Điện ảnh Đại học Bang Florida
- Đại học Full Sail
- Trường Điện ảnh LA
- Trường Điện ảnh và Truyền hình Đại học Loyola Marymount
- Viện Điện ảnh Michigan
- Học viện điện ảnh New York
- Trường Nghệ thuật NYU / Tisch
- Trường Sân khấu, Truyền hình và Điện ảnh Đại học Bang San Diego
- Viện phim Seattle
- Trường Sân khấu, Điện ảnh và Truyền hình UCLA
- UCLA Extension - Nghiên cứu Giải trí
- Trường Nghệ thuật Điện ảnh USC
- Đại học New Orleans Điện ảnh và Sân khấu
- Đại học Texas tại Khoa Phát thanh-Truyền hình-Điện ảnh Austin
- Stock up on courses in art, English, communication, speaking, psychology, design, and photography
- Volunteer for school activities where you can learn how to work effectively as a team, practice leadership skills, and manage large projects
- Consider signing up for confidence and resiliency courses, so you’ll be able to direct teams and actors even under stressful circumstances
- Tham gia các câu lạc bộ nghe nhìn để có được trải nghiệm thực tế
- Participate in school and local theater productions
- Bắt đầu làm phim ngắn của bạn cho YouTube hoặc Vimeo. Tìm kiếm bạn bè và thành viên cộng đồng muốn tham gia các dự án của bạn!
- Borrow or rent video cameras, sound gear, and lighting equipment to get practice
- Become familiar with video editing techniques and software, plus special effects software
- Quảng cáo dịch vụ làm phim tự do của bạn trong khu vực địa phương hoặc trực tuyến
- Khởi chạy một danh mục đầu tư trực tuyến để thể hiện kỹ năng và công việc của bạn
- Áp dụng cho thực tập phim cho đến khi bạn hạ cánh!
- Study books, articles, and video tutorials (see our list of Resources > Websites)
- Don’t just learn about directing. Get to know the ins and outs of every major department involved in filming TV shows, ads, documentaries, etc.
- Tham dự các liên hoan phim và các sự kiện mở của trường điện ảnh
- Check out Keanu Reeves’ documentary Side by Side, featuring interviews with some of the biggest directors in Hollywood
- Submit your film to a film festival.
- Tham gia các tổ chức chuyên nghiệp để tìm hiểu về các xu hướng và phát triển mạng lưới của bạn
- Di chuyển đến nơi có nhiều công việc điện ảnh và truyền hình nhất! Theo BLS, các tiểu bang có việc làm cao nhất cho những công việc này là California, New York, Texas, Florida và Georgia
- Work with actors and Direct plays
- Rất có thể bạn sẽ phải ứng tuyển vào các công việc mới vào nghề và làm việc theo cách của mình cho các vai trò Trợ lý Giám đốc
- Many Directors start as production assistants or interns. Even these are coveted positions, so contact your state film commission learn about to upcoming opportunities
- Let your network know you are looking for jobs or internships! Per CNBC, “Research shows that 70% of all jobs are not published publicly on jobs sites and as much as 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections”
- Build your reputation and ensure your work is seen! Enter film festivals, promote your work on social media, and get published in industry journals or on popular websites
- Check out film job sites and forums as well as job portals such as Indeed, Simply Hired, and Glassdoor
Ask your professors, supervisors, and peers if they’ll serve as personal references - Once you have a reel, apply to television director development programs
- Join the DGA union when you’re eligible and can afford the steep initiation fee
- Hop on Quora and start asking job advice questions and requesting answers from working directors
- Nói chuyện với trung tâm nghề nghiệp của trường điện ảnh hoặc trường đại học của bạn để được trợ giúp về sơ yếu lý lịch, phỏng vấn giả và tìm kiếm việc làm
Các trang web
- Hành động-Cắt-In
- Adorama
- Nghệ thuật chém
- Hiệp hội Ủy viên Điện ảnh Quốc tế
- Giải thưởng
- MÁI HIÊN
- B&H Photo, Video, and Pro Audio
- Mạng lưới đúc
- CheesyCam
- Cinephilia và hơn thế nữa
- Hành lang kỹ thuật số
- D4Darious
- Phim kích nổ
- Hiệp hội đạo diễn Hoa Kỳ
- Xong thỏa thuận chuyên nghiệp
- Drop.io
- DVcreators
- DVXuser
- Nhà làm phim IQ
- Tạp chí Nhà làm phim
- Liên minh các nhà làm phim
- Phim Riot
- Trường Điện ảnh từ chối
- Chiếu phim
- Hướng dẫn FX
- Đi vào câu chuyện
- Nghệ thuật và Văn hóa của Google
- Bật đèn xanh cho phim của tôi
- Hollywood OmniBook
- IMDb
- Phim độc lập Hustle
- IndieTalk
- IndieWire
- Mẹo mực
- Tạp chí Hiệp hội các nhà quay phim quốc tế
- Giăng Tháng Tám
- Làm Của
- Maltin trên phim
- Mandy.com
- Tạp chí MovieMaker
- Hiệp hội các trường sân khấu quốc gia
- Quỹ quốc gia về nghệ thuật
- Noam Kroll
- Không có trường điện ảnh
- Philip nở hoa
- Tạp chí Post
- ProductionHUB
- Liên minh ProVideo
- REDUser
- SAGindie
- Tạp chí Script
- Shanks FX
- Bắn người
- Nhân viên tôi lên
- Giai đoạn 32
- Nhà làm phim sinh viên
- Studio hàng ngày
- Hiệp hội các nhà quay phim Hoa Kỳ
- Bộ phim hợp tác
- Các Gotham
- Gian hàng sản xuất
- Co giật
- Người lính VFX
- Phi công video
- Trình tạo video
- Videvo
- Vincent Laforet
- Hiệp hội hiệu ứng hình ảnh
- WIRED - Thiết kế FX
- ZapSplat
Sách vở
- Directing Great Television: Inside TV’s New Golden Age, by Dan Attias
- Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing, by Bethany Rooney and Mary Lou Belli
- Studio Television Production and Directing: Concepts, Equipment, and Procedures, by Andrew Utterback
- The Art and Craft of TV Directing: Conversations with Episodic Television Directors, by Jim Hemphill
- Build trust by delivering episodes on time, on budget
- Capture the producers’ imaginations and make them want more work from you
- Continue to hone your craft while also learning more about everyone else’s roles
- Treat everyone with respect, always be well-prepared for the day’s shoots, and stay calm and in control
- Build your reputation as a director that actors and crew love to work with
- Direct as many things as you can to expand your portfolio of work
- Knock out additional education and training that can improve your technical and creative skills
- Watch and learn from more senior directors
- Listen to assistant directors, department leads, and crew members
- Tiếp tục phát triển mạng lưới chuyên nghiệp của bạn và giải quyết các dự án lớn hơn, tham vọng hơn
- Chuẩn bị sẵn sàng cho các liên hoan phim, sự kiện địa phương, hội nghị và hội thảo
- Join professional organizations like the Directors Guild of America
- Try to win award and other recognitions that’ll look great on your resume
”Directors direct! If you have an iPhone and a computer, you have the first tools you need to make a short film.....” Mary Lou Belli, TV Director
The job of a Television Director isn’t nearly as glamorous as some people think. It’s can be grueling work (when you actually have any work), with long hours and non-stop duties. Energetic people with the right combination of leadership ability, technical know-how, and storytelling skills can make big names for themselves in this industry. However, it’s not for everyone and that’s understandable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following related occupations to think about!
- Diễn viên
- Giám đốc nghệ thuật
- Choreographers
- Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators
- Nghệ sĩ hiệu ứng đặc biệt và họa sĩ hoạt hình
- Giám đốc điều hành hàng đầu
- Writers and Authors