A director is a person who directs the making of full-length feature films, short films, live or recorded television programmes, commercials, music videos, etc. Generally, a director controls artistic and dramatic aspects of a film, and visualizes the script while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of filmmaking.

Tasks:

1. Meeting producers
2. Commissioning a script or an idea for a documentary
3. Interpreting scripts and developing storyboards
4. Deciding on how the production should look and where it should be filmed
5. Planning the shooting schedule and logistics
6. Hiring the cast and crew
7. Guiding the technical crew
8. Directing the actors (or the contributors to a documentary)
9. Supervising the editing to produce the final 'cut'

Key skills for director:

• Creativity
• Leadership and management skills
• Technical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to remain calm and confident in high-stress or crisis situations
• Knowledge of the film industry and movie production

Average salary:

The United Kingdom: £34,857 per year (2010)
The United States of America: $69,480 per year (2013)
Australia: AU$64,594 per year (2013)

Qualifications and training required:

Directors can pursue bachelor's or master's degree programs or obtain training in film theory and technical skills through a certificate program. Certificate programs in movie directing vary in length but generally take less time than earning a bachelor's or master's degree. With either option, aspiring movie directors study filmmaking and film theory, cinematography, editing, lighting, and related tasks.