IBSA - Innovation & Business Skills Australia

Floor Manager

If you're well-organised and can deal with the unexpected without losing your cool, you could enjoy being a floor manager at a television station. Prior to filming, the floor manager ensures that the sets, props and technical equipment are safe to use and in the right place. If there's an audience, floor managers are responsible for making sure people are seated in good time. When on-air, the director relays instructions through an earpiece and the floor manager gives cues to the presenters and guests to ensure timings are met. In a studio setting, the floor manager is the essential link between the director (up in the gallery) and the floor below. Typical activities include:

• relaying instructions from the control room to the studio floor;
• assisting in the planning and preparation of productions;
• rehearsing live shows;
• giving cues and time counts;
• keeping time;
• looking after the people involved, including the audience;
• referring to floor plans;
• tackling any crisis/conflict with calm authoritative control; and
• being diplomatic.

CUF40107 Certificate IV in Screen and Media

This qualification reflects the role of individuals who use well developed skills and a broad knowledge base in a wide variety of contexts in the film, television, radio and digital media industries. They apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They may provide leadership and guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.

What you can expect in a training program

While each course or on-the-job training program may differ in emphasis, you can expect to learn about how the film, television and interactive digital media industry works, who the important players are, the importance of creative and critical thinking skills, how to work safely, and how to observe all security procedures. A typical Certificate IV in Screen and Media training program that specialised in floor managing would include:

• Pre-production and administration
• breaking down a script;
• compiling production schedules;
• coordinating the purchase or hire of equipment and supplies;
• rostering staff; and
• managing rehearsals.
• TV operations
• managing film or television shoots;
• conducting briefings and coordinating communications;
• coordinating cast and crew;
• supervising technical operations; and
• vision mixing a multisource television production to tape or air.

Qualifications and competency standards

For information on the structure of qualifications, go to the National Training Information Service at www.ntis.gov.au. Select ‘Search’ and type CUF07 in the ‘Search for’ field and tick ‘Training Packages’ in the ‘search in’ field. Select Volume 1 for an overview of all qualifications.

What other options do I have?

People with experience as floor managers at a television station have the basic skills required to move into the role of production manager.

Tip: If there's a community television station in your area, contact them. By working as a volunteer with a broadcasting group, you'll gain valuable experience that will put you ahead of the pack when it comes to getting a job in this highly competitive industry.

Where can I do training?

You'll find TAFE and other colleges on the national database of Registered Training Organisations - here's how it works:

1. At www.ntis.gov.au select 'Search'.
2. Type the course code (CUF40107) into the ‘Search for’ field.
3. Tick ‘RTOs by scope’ in the ‘Search in’ field and select the appropriate state or territory.

Further information

For more information, visit the websites below, talk to the careers teacher at your school, go to Open Days at TAFE colleges and universities and visit their websites.

Useful websites

For industry information, search the Australian Government’s Culture and Recreation Portal at www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au. There you will find links to thousands of websites across all areas of the arts, entertainment, media and publishing industries.

For career and employment information visit the following sites:

myfuture
Job Guide
Australian JobSearch
Australian Apprenticeships or call the hotline on 1800 639 629
Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
Get Access
WageNet

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