Actors, producers, and directors express ideas and create images in theater, film, radio, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience. Although many actors, producers, and directors work in New York or Los Angeles, far more work in other places. They perform, direct, and produce in local or regional television studios, theaters, or film production companies, often creating advertising or training films or small-scale independent movies.

Actors perform in stage, radio, television, video, or motion picture productions. They also work in cabarets, nightclubs, and theme parks. Actors portray characters, and, for more complex roles, they research their character’s traits and circumstances so that they can better understand a script.

Some work as “extras,” with no lines to deliver. Some actors do voiceover and narration work for advertisements, animated features, books on tape, and other electronic media. They also teach in high school or university drama departments, acting conservatories, or public programs.  Producers are entrepreneurs who make the business and financial decisions involving a motion picture, television show, or stage production. They select scripts, approve the development of ideas, arrange financing, and determine the size and cost of the endeavor. Producers hire or approve directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members.

Directors are responsible for the overall creative decisions of a production.  They interpret scripts; audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of cast and crew. They approve the design elements of a production, including the sets, costumes, choreography, and music.  Actors, producers, and directors work under constant pressure. Many face stress from the continual need to find their next job. To succeed, actors, producers, and directors need patience and commitment to their craft. Actors strive to deliver flawless performances, often while working under undesirable and unpleasant conditions.

Producers and directors organize rehearsals and meet with writers, designers, financial backers, and production technicians. They experience stress not only from these activities, but also from the need to adhere to budgets, union work rules, and production schedules.

• For detailed career information, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco.
• Click here to view curriculum guide 

Educational Opportunities in Actors, Producers, Directors at LCCC Associate of Arts

The associate of arts degree is designed for students who intend to continue their education after LCCC. The associate of arts degree does not have a specific major, but elective courses can be used as transfer credits toward a number of different majors at the bachelor’s degree level at the LCCC University Partnership and other universities.

The associate of arts degree is awarded to a student successfully completing programmatic requirements. Candidates completing the associate of arts degree may transfer with junior standing to the four-year college or university of their choice. Since requirements at transfer institutions vary widely, each student should consult the catalog of the transfer institution and plan her/his program with a college counselor. There are virtually no limitations to the programs that can be pursued as LCCC can customize associate of arts programs to meet the transfer college/ university’s requirements.

Students pursuing the associate of arts degree may also select electives, or complement their curriculums, by choosing from such courses as communication, performance, film appreciation, introduction to American cinema, civic and collegiate chorale, civic concert and jazz bands, civic orchestra, fundamentals of music, piano, vocal ensemble, instrumental ensemble, music theory, sight singing and ear training, music history, music appreciation, music as a world phenomenon, introduction to theater,  introduction to stagecraft, introduction to lighting, techniques of acting, voice and movement, directing workshop and theater laboratory.  

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