2. TALENT DIRECTOR Career Research By: Shanil Want to become a talent director one day? Curious about what they are and what they do? Keep on watching to find out more!

3. WHAT ARE THEY?  A talent director, sometimes called a casting director works for films, plays, commercials, and TV shows by aiding the director in selecting actors for roles in the production.

4. WHAT DO THEY DO?  Talent directors are responsible for the following: Scouting actors Negotiating contracts Holding auditions Handling the casting budget Contacting actors the director has already chosen through their agents Scheduling readings Holding casting calls Maintain files on performers Act as liaisons between agents and directors. Attend productions and performances to stay up to date on talent.  What is the first and most important thing a talent director must do once assigned a project? Read over the script and make detailed observations regarding it’s requirements for casting. Making a list of all the roles in the script (including major roles, minor speaking roles, and non speaking roles), and all of the scenes where background characters or extras are required. Discuss the “vision” and other needs for casting with directors and producers

5. WHO DO THEY WORK WITH?  Though talent directors work with actors, talent agents, and in some capacity producers; a talent director always works the closest with the director.  A talent director helps the director of a production find actors that are specially suited and qualified for each specific role. Upon collecting a pool of possible actors,often the director will approve, narrow down, or select actors in auditions

6. HOW MUCH POWER DOES A TALENT DIRECTOR HAVE?  Usually a director makes all final decisions regarding the choice of actor for all speaking roles, especially for the lead characters. However, in bigger productions, the director may trust the talent director with all of the other casting (extras, non speaking roles) providing that they follow basic instructions.

7. SALARY  One source stated that the annual salary for a talent director depends on a number of factors such as “industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education”-(source 1 as listed below.) This source also stated that “the median expected annual pay for a typical Talent Director in the United States is $59, 129”- (source 1 as listed below)  Source 1: http://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director-Salary.htmlhttp://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director-Salary.html

8. SALARY CONTINUED  A second source stated the following: “A Talent Director will most likely earn a pay level ranging between 72000 - 108000 based on tenure level. Talent Directors get a compensation of Ninety One Thousand One Hundred dollars on an annual basis. Talent Directors are compensated highest in California, where they earn salary pay of about $120530. These professionals are paid at the highest level in Information, where they receive an average job salary of $105970.”- (source 2 as listed below)  Source 2: http://www.recruiter.com/salaries/talent-directors-salary/http://www.recruiter.com/salaries/talent-directors-salary/

9. REQUIRED EDUCATION  “May require an associate's degree or its equivalent and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.”- http://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director-Salary.html http://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director-Salary.html

10. WHO MIGHT ENJOY OR THRIVE IN THIS CAREER?  Someone who… Has interest in the film, television, or theatre industry Is interested in acting/theatre or has experience in acting/theatre Is willing to work with and stay connected to talent agencies, film corporations, and directors Is willing to stay up to date on available talent

11. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THESE WEBSITES I USED IN MY RESEARCH  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-talent- director-do.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-talent- director-do.htm  http://www.recruiter.com/salaries/talent- directors-salary/ http://www.recruiter.com/salaries/talent- directors-salary/  http://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director- Salary.html http://www1.salary.com/Talent-Director- Salary.html