Typical Career Progression
You usually commence your Director’s career as a Director’s Assistant (AD) with a salary governed by the current Motion Picture Production Agreement (MPPA). Pay scales are minimums based on a 5 day 40 hour week.
| |
Position |
Remuneration |
Experience |
Education |
| Start Position |
Fourth AD Level 4 |
$37,874 |
1 to 2 years industry experience or that gained as a tertiary student |
A relevant qualification |
| 1st Promotion |
Third Ad Level 5 |
$43,160 |
2 to 3 years industry experience |
A relevant qualification |
| 2nd Promotion |
Second AD Level 6 |
$47,200 |
3 to 5 years industry experience |
Advanced training |
| 3rd Promotion |
First AD Level 7-8 |
$51,000 to $55,000 |
6 to 8 years industry experience |
Advanced training |
| 4th Promotion |
Director Level 9-10 |
$58,000 to $62,000 |
9 to 10 years industry experience |
Advanced training |
There is no set remuneration for Directors. If you are directing a TV series drama like Neighbours or Home and Away you can be on $2,500 to $3,000 per week and usually on a 2 to 3 month contract. If you can't find other work that year then it will be a lean year. It is hard to direct television drama 52 weeks a year because it is usually a 50 to 60 hour standard working week. However, Directors always do more because you prepare before and after shooting.
A Feature Film director payment depends on the budget. If it is a large budget you may get $100,000 plus that may be spread over a year or more. If it is a low budget film you may get paid little or nothing.
Documentary Directors get paid a flat fee per project as do Feature Film directors so it depends on what you negotiate and the budget of the production. A typical fee for a 52 minute television documentary is about $50,000. That project may take over a year to develop and deliver. The advantage of documentary directing is that there can be long quiet times and you do not usually work 10 to 12 hour days. It is much more flexible and family friendly. So there you have it - there are no "typical" earnings for a director and there can be very lean years and very busy years.
If you wish to become a Director, you generally have to work your way up in the industry. You might begin by volunteering on productions and by building work contacts. Then you will start getting paid work crewing on productions in a variety of roles. Ideally you will become a Director’s Assistant (AD) and be mentored by a professional, before you have built up enough skills to become a professional Director. Salary at level 9 and 10 is usually based on the type of production.
Typical accountabilities and responsibilities
The responsibilities are divided according to the size and scope of the film budget. A large budget film may have the levels shown below. A medium scale film would have a Director, 1st AD and a Personal Assistant whilst a small scale film may have a Director only.
|
AD Level 4
|
Acts as a ‘Gofer’ carrying out any tasks given by the 1st AD or Director such as relaying messages to cast and crew.
|
|
AD Level 5
|
Acts as a personal assistant to the Director carrying out any tasks given such as relaying messages to cast and crew. May receive some mentoring.
|
|
Second AD Level 6
|
Assists first AD, liaises with production department and location/set, monitors schedule and alerts the 1st AD if falling behind the schedule, supervises extras. |
| First AD Level 7-8 |
Will undertake duties such as setting the filming schedule, ensuring it runs to time and directing the extras. The 1st AD will also coordinate the activities of the film crew, performers and technicians during rehearsals and productions. |
| Director Level 9-10 |
The Director is responsible for casting, interpretation of the script, for ensuring that each scene is shot as planned and determining if the best performance from the actors has been obtained. The Director has the right to change the schedule if circumstances change. The Director plans and arranges set designs, costumes, sound effects and lighting. |
Career Options Available
Becoming a Director requires dedication and perseverance. Depending on personal talent and experience, it will usually take up to ten years in the industry before you can become a professional Director. Volunteering on student films and working in a variety of roles on professional productions are a great entry point into the profession. Becoming successful will depend on your creativity, people skills, personality and work ethic. You can work on television commercials, documentaries, short films and animations. Large scale feature films would be a huge but exciting responsibility.
About the Author
Helen Gaynor
Helen Gaynor, Television and Film Director
Helen Gaynor is a freelance drama and documentary film and television director with more than twenty years of experience. She trained as a Director with ABC TV, and has directed and produced many Australian television documentaries. Helen has directed television series such as A Country Practice, Shortland Street and Neighbours, as well as directing her own documentaries such as Scorched and Community Cop.
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