Film directors create motion pictures, television shows, and video productions to entertain and inform a viewing audience. They may direct a short, instructional film for their municipality about jury duty, or a big-budget, special-effects filled blockbuster for a nationwide release. Film directors oversee many if not all creative aspects of a film and are often involved in its postproduction, including editing and sound design. Some film director job responsibilities include:
- Selecting a script to turn into a film
- Auditioning and choosing actors and the members of a film's crew
- Approving and monitoring the budget for a film production
- Ensuring that the film is completed on time and within budget
The BLS predicts 11% job growth from 2010 to 2020 for producers and directors. The number of job opportunities for film directors in the motion picture and video industry is expected to increase thanks to the public demand for new movies and television shows. There is also demand overseas for films directed and produced in the U.S. Over time, new technology for video content delivery, including mobile phones and online television, may provide even more career opportunities for film directors across the country.
Film Directors at a Glance
Projected Job Growth
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Job Growth for
Film Directors
Average Pay for Film Directors
- Annual Pay National Average
- Hourly Pay National Average
Best States for Film Directors
| Employment in 2011 |
Average Annual Pay |
Average Hourly Pay |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 24,410 | $128,000 | $62 |
| New York | 17,160 | $112,110 | $54 |
| District of Columbia | 1,410 | $88,870 | $43 |
Sources:
- From U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2012
- From U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2010
Becoming a Film Director
More and more schools are offering bachelor's and master's degrees in film directing. Most film directors typically hold a bachelor's degree in film or a related field and have several years of work experience. They often begin their film directing career as a film editor, actor, or assistant to an established director.
Academy of Art University and Full Sail University, both accredited for-profit institutions, offer online bachelor's degrees in film with curriculums that thoroughly cover directing and many other aspects of film production. Film degree programs typically require students complete one, sometimes several films. Some classes you may take in a film or film directing degree program include:
- Film and Video Production
- Feature Script Analysis
- Film History
- Post Production
In order to coordinate the talents of what can be a large number of people working together to create a film, directors must develop strong leadership, management, and communication skills. Film directors also use their creative skills to bring a film script to life. As a film director's reputation grows, he or she may advance to larger, more expensive projects.