Newcomers to the business often start out performing duties such as lighting, staging and recording, or operating camera dollies and microphone booms. Mid-level positions include developing and editing film, producing storyboards, and videotaping or audio recording on tape or disc. Experienced and talented individuals may eventually produce, direct or supervise radio and TV programs, films or theatrical performances. Often viewed as a glamorous profession, most of the work available in this field takes place behind the scenes, involving audio, video, lighting, set design, producing and directing. There is a high demand for skilled workers in these highly technical occupations, which are found in many industries and are continually growing due to changes in technology. Those who are successful have a passion for their work and are willing to work long hours under stressful conditions.

Typical Duties:

• Film, radio and television producers plan, organize and control the various stages and scheduling involved in the production of presentations, motion pictures, television shows and radio programs; engage directors and other production personnel and supervise all technical personnel, and determine the treatment, scope and scheduling of production; maintain production archives and negotiate royalties.

• Directors interpret scripts and direct the mise-en-scène; select and direct the actors, extras and technical crew; advise the cast and crew on the interpretation and delivery of the performance; direct rehearsals, filmings, broadcasts and performances; and confer with crew and specialists throughout production and post-production to achieve desired presentation.

• Choreographers create dances for film, theatre and television performances that convey stories, ideas and moods, and direct rehearsals for dancers to achieve desired interpretation.

• Art directors plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of motion pictures, stage productions and television shows by overseeing the design of sets, costumes, furnishings and props to create portrayals of period and setting.

• Film editors edit motion picture film and arrange film segments into sequences to achieve continuity and desired dramatic, comedic and thematic effects.

• Record producers plan and co-ordinate the production of musical recordings, direct musicians and singers during rehearsals and recordings and manage technicians involved in duplicating, dubbing and mastering of recordings.

• Directors of photography co-ordinate and direct the photography of motion pictures, supervise camera operators and other crews and determine lighting, lenses, camera angles, backgrounds and other elements to achieve desired visual effect.

Sample Job Titles:

• Special effects technician

• Broadcast engineer

• Recording engineer

• Artistic director

• Producer

• Technical director

Companies and Sectors:

• Television stations

• Advertising and marketing companies

• Government services

• Video production companies

• Independent film producers

• Self employed

HOW TO JOIN THE FIELD:

A university degree or college diploma in the performing arts, broadcasting, journalism, business administration, theatre production or film studies and Experience in a technical or production occupation in motion pictures, broadcasting or theatre are usually required.

A university degree or college diploma in music or the recording arts and Experience in a technical or production occupation in the recording arts are usually required.

Photographers who shoot digital images then upload them to a computer, while those who use film cameras outsource their film for processing or develop it themselves. Photographers also use computer software to modify images, such as cropping them or correcting their color. Photographers may focus their work on a particular specialty, like portrait photography, wedding photography, artistic photography, scientific photography, or industrial photography.

Typical Duties:

• Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used

• Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject

• May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers

• May operate computers to manipulate photographic images

• May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products

• May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras

• May process exposed film

• May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives

• Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators

Sample Job Titles:

• Automotive painter

• Automotive painter apprentice

• Painter motor vehicle repair

Companies and Sectors:

• Dealerships

• Independent garages

• Specialty repair shops

HOW TO JOIN THE FIELD:

A college diploma in photography, creative photography, digital photography, or photojournalism or completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.

Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.

Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.

Specific examples of the work done by desktop publishers range from designing corporate logos and letterhead, to creating store counter displays, banners and posters, to designing titles, credits and graphics for film and television.

In graphic designing you work closely and extensively with your clients to create a product that is both visually appealing and able to fulfill the clients’ requirements. From estimating the cost of materials and time needed to complete the project to determining the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect, the ability to listen to and understand your clients’ vision is essential to your success.

Typical Duties:

• Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs

• Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication

• Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients’ objectives

• Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software

• Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design

• Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients’ communications needs

• Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers

• Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc.

• Co-ordinate sub-contracting

• Work in a multidisciplinary environment

• Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians

Sample Job Titles:

• Automotive painter

• Automotive painter apprentice

• Painter motor vehicle repair

Companies and Sectors:

• Dealerships

• Independent garages

• Specialty repair shops

HOW TO JOIN THIS FIELD:

• A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or Completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.

• Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.

• In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.

• Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.

• For a professional interview process, a portfolio is often required to showcase alongside a resumé.

INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE CONSIDERATIONS:

Visual arts are highly valued in many Canadian Indigenous communities and most communities have skilled artists and designers in multiple mediums.

Although with significant improvements currently underway to internet connections in Indigenous and remote communities, careers in this field become more viable and are likely to become more so in years to come.