Television Director

OFO No: 265401

Other names for Television Director:

What is a Television Director?

A Television Director is the person responsible for co-ordinating and overseeing every aspect of making a television programme.

They are involved from the very start to the finish.

A Television Director will play an active role in casting right through to the final editing.

Examples of television programmes: 

• the news
• documentaries
• soaps
• movies for tv
• reality programmes etc

What does a Television Director do?

• coordinates writers, directors, managers throughout the production process
• monitors post-production processes
• performs management including budgeting, scheduling, planning and marketing
• composes and edits scripts
• provides screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written
• conducts meetings with staff to discuss production progress
• resolves personnel problems
• produces shows for special occasions, for example christmas holidays
• edits and writes news stories from information collected by journalists/reporters
• submits proposals to bid on contracts

Are you … ?

• an out-the-box, creative thinker?
• observant?
• creative?
• detail-orientated?
• visually aware?
• a peoples’ person?
• confident?
• a good manager?
• a multi-tasker?
• deadline driven?
• able to deal with stress?

How do I become a Television Director?

Many Television Directors have worked their way up through the ranks of television. They have spent years and years collecting skills and a better understanding of every aspect of television.

This collection of experience is worth a ton of gold. They will be more empathic to the rest of the people working on set as they will completely understand each and every job.

A good education is, however, a definite advantage. A large number of colleges and other training providers offer Film, Media and Television Production courses that may provide a suitable background.

By studying, you may jump ahead of the rest and reach the position of Television Director quite early on.

PATH 1

Certificate in Radio Station Operations 

PATH 2

Certificate in Film and Television Production

PATH 3

Diploma in Film and Television Production 

PATH 4

Diploma in Drama

PATH 5

Bachelor of Technology in Film and Television Production  (BTech)

PATH 6

Bachelor of Film and Television Production 

PATH 7

Bachelor of Drama

Here are a few examples:

• AFDA

• BIG FISH SCHOOL OF DIGITAL FILM MAKING

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

• AUTEUR FILM SCHOOL

• CENTRE FOR FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Sound Engineer … or … Casting Director

Is becoming a Television Director the right career choice for me?