Producer / Director / Screen Writer
Producing and directing a television show or film requires a lot of energy, creativity and hard work. But it’s fun and you get to work with a whole range of creative people. Producers, directors and writers work closely together, so on small budget productions, it’s not unusual to find the same person taking on all three roles. This means they have to be multiskilled – organizational and management skills for the role of producer, as well as artistic and creative skills to write scripts and direct productions.
After the script has been written, the producer/director is involved at all stages of a film or TV production, starting with the development of a creative vision and practical aspects such as planning and managing finances. Before production starts, the director auditions actors and selects designers and technical crew. Another early job is to decide where the production will be filmed, staged or recorded.
During production, the director has control over acting and filming. With the writing hat on, he/she is also responsible for script changes. After filming (during post-production) the director works with the editor to select the best scenes (or cuts) and chooses the sound effects and music to accompany the production.
Producer/directors work indoors in studios, and outdoors on location. They work long and irregular hours to meet production requirements.
CUF60107 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who analyse, design and execute judgements using wide ranging technical, creative, conceptual or managerial competencies in the film, television, radio and digital media industries. Their knowledge base may be specialised or broad. These individuals are often accountable for group outcomes.
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 originating and developing concepts and applying concepts and theories of creativity. A typical training program for an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media that focuses on the combined role of producer/ director/ screen writer would include:
- Pre-production
- establishing the creative vision for screen productions
- developing storylines and treatments
- writing and editing scripts
- selecting performers
- conducting and managing rehearsals of the performers
- planning and managing film and media pre-production.
- Production and post-production
- planning and managing film and media post-production
- directing crew and performers
- devising camera coverage
- collaborating with editors to finalise productions
- managing locations.
- Business operations
- developing and managing budgets
- managing financial operations.
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?
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:
- At www.ntis.gov.au select ‘Search’.
- Type the course code (CUF60107) into the ‘Search for’ field.
- 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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