Occupation

Media Technical Directors/Managers

Human Advantage 74%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.6 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

Also Known As: Broadcast Director, News Technical Director, Newscast Director, Operations Director, Operations Manager, Production Director, Production Manager, Production Superintendent +8 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
  2. Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
  3. Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
  4. Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
  5. Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
  6. Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
  7. Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
  8. Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
  9. Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
  10. Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
  11. Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.
  2. Follow instructions from production managers and directors during productions, such as commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics, and takes.
  3. Set up and execute video transitions and special effects, such as fades, dissolves, cuts, keys, and supers, using computers to manipulate pictures as necessary.
  4. Discuss filter options, lens choices, and the visual effects of objects being filmed with photography directors and video operators.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
92%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
4%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1%
Some College Courses
0%
Master's Degree
0%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • C
  • C++
  • Facebook
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database
  • Perl
  • Python
  • Salesforce software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Swift
  • UNIX
  • UNIX Shell

Software (38)

  • Adobe Audition
  • Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Avid Technology Media Composer
  • Avid Technology Pro Tools
  • Avid Technology audio visual editing software
  • Character generator software
  • MailChimp
  • Pinterest
  • Side Effects Houdini
  • Social media sites
  • Software development tools
  • The Associated Press ENPS
  • Unity Technologies Unity
  • Word processing software
  • YouTube

Tools & Equipment (20)

  • Analog editing systems
  • Audio boards
  • Camera control units
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital editing systems
  • Digital video cameras
  • Digital video effects units
  • Laptop computers
  • Linear editing systems
  • Master control switchers
  • Non-linear editing systems
  • Personal computers
  • Robotic cameras
  • Studio lighting
  • Tape machines
  • Teleprompters
  • Video servers
  • Videotape recorders
  • Vision mixers
  • Wireless microphones

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Media Production & Broadcasting Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
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