Skip to content
Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Producers and Directors

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Performing Arts pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 27-2012.00

What the work is

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

On a typical day

  • Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
  • Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
  • Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
  • Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
  • Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
  • Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.

What it pays

$64,550
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $43,760
Experienced workers reach $113,900
  1. $44k10th
  2. $48k25th
  3. $65kMedian
  4. $89k75th
  5. $114k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $43,760, 25th $48,170, Median $64,550, 75th $89,320, 90th $113,900

About 370 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+10.8%

employment change in the Alamo region, 577 to 639 jobs · U.S. +5%

49

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 12,800

577

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 167,000

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Experience: Less than 5 years

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening4.4
  2. Speaking4.3
  3. Monitoring4.3
  4. Critical Thinking4.1
  5. Reading Comprehension4.0
  6. Coordination4.5
  7. Social Perceptiveness3.9
  8. Writing4.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less15%
  2. Certificate11%
  3. Some college5%
  4. Associate degree13%
  5. Bachelor's degree57%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Dance

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. Drama

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  3. Dance

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  4. Digital Video & Cinema Production

    Degree · Certificate · Creative & Communication Arts

  5. Drama

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  6. Dance

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  7. Drama

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  8. Drama

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  9. Dance

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  10. Drama

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

Check my interests
  1. Media Technical Directors/Managers

    Zone 410 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $65kSan Antonio median
  2. Media Programming Directors

    Zone 410 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $65kSan Antonio median
  3. Film and Video Editors

    Zone 42 Alamo programs

    $58kSan Antonio median
  4. Art Directors

    Zone 43 Alamo programs

    $82kSan Antonio median
  5. Talent Directors

    Zone 410 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $65kSan Antonio median
  6. $49kTexas median
  7. $66kTexas median
  8. Writers and Authors

    Zone 410 Alamo programs

    $74kSan Antonio median