51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

What this occupation covers

Producers, directors, choreographers and professionals in related occupations oversee and control the technical and artistic aspects of film, television, video game, radio, dance and theatre productions. They are employed by film production companies, radio and television stations, video game companies, broadcast departments, advertising companies, sound recording studios, record production companies and dance companies. They may also be self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 7 main duties for this code.

• 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, negotiate royalties and may plan and control the budget pertaining to a particular production.
• 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.
• Create dances for film, theatre and television performances that convey stories, ideas and moods, and direct rehearsals for dancers to achieve desired interpretation.
• Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of motion pictures, video games, stage productions and television shows by overseeing the design of sets, costumes, furnishings and props to create portrayals of period and setting.
• Edit motion picture film and arrange film segments into sequences to achieve continuity and desired dramatic, comedic and thematic effects.
• Plan and coordinate the production of musical recordings, direct musicians and singers during rehearsals and recordings and manage technicians involved in duplicating, dubbing and mastering of recordings.
• Coordinate 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.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 7 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 50011 Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts

Excluded from this code

• Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (See 50011 Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts)
• Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture (See 5311 Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture)
• Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (See 5211 Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

art director - graphic design · art director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts · artistic director - motion picture · assistant director · assistant director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts · audiovisual (AV) producer · broadcasting director · broadcasting producer · broadcasting sports director · casting director · choreographer · cinematographer · cyber-choreographer · director - motion picture · director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts · director of photography · film director · film editor · film producer · filmmaker · floor director - performing arts · motion picture director · motion picture producer · motion picture production director

Employment requirements

• Producers, directors and film editors
• 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.
• Choreographers
• A university degree or college diploma in dance, or a period of study at a school of dance and extensive training with a dance company are usually required.
• Record producers
• 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.
• Directors of photography
• A university degree or college diploma in film studies or cinematography and experience in camera operation or another technical occupation in video or motion picture production are usually required.
• Demonstrated creative ability is required for all occupations in this unit group.