Talent Directors
Talent directors audition and interview performers to select the most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
A director of talent acquisition reviews casting calls determines performers needed for production, auditions, and interviews, and selects the most suitable talent for television, radio, film, and stage productions. They maintain files on performers and work as a go-between for agents and directors.
A talent director drives an organisation’s talent management and development initiatives by organizing and overseeing individual and team training programs of both outsourced and in-house artists, planning regular employee performance evaluations and conducting skills gap analyses. Their responsibilities include scheduling employee training programs, implementing regular performance evaluations, designing succession planning policies, and maintaining an equal employment opportunity environment.
How to become a talent manager? A bachelor’s degree is required with preferably some prior industry experience. Talent directors work directly with show producers, actors, and agents, negotiate contracts with the actors, their agents, and producers, keep up to date on current talent by attending performances and keep track of actors’ abilities and their availability for shows.
Required skills for a decent director of talent acquisition salary include being detail-oriented with excellent organizational and communication skills, maintaining meticulous records of performers, participating in contract negotiations, and maintaining a strong talent network by being active in the entertainment world.
A successful talent director is one who fosters a healthy workplace that helps achieve the business objectives and has good interpersonal skills with other entertainment workers.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- MPA Theatre Arts
- M.A. Mass Communication
- MVA Cinematography
- BPA Theatre Arts
- B.Sc. Film Making
Tasks
- Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
- Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
- Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
- Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
- Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
- Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
- Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
- Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.
- Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
- Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
Progression Routes
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