TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

The 'Technical Director' ('TD') or 'Technical Producer' ('TP') is usually the most senior technical person within a theatrical company or television studio. This person usually possesses the highest level of competence in a specific technical field and may be recognized as an expert in that industry. The technical director provides technical direction on business decisions and in the execution of specific projects. He or she may be assigned to a single project, or may oversee a number of projects with related technologies. This position is often similar to that of chief scientist or chief responsible to make sure that the technicians hired, volunteering or renting the theatre know how to properly use the sound, lighting and rigging equipment. It is their job to make sure the technical equipment in the theatre is cleaned and safe; although these duties should be delagated to a shop or house manager. Technical directors of theatre companies are often hired to fill the role of technical director for productions as well, but these are two separate jobs.
A Technical Director for a specific production(s) is responsible for working closely with the Scenic Designer and Director. It is their responsibility to determine how the scenery will be built and out of what materials. A TD will take a Scenic Designer's artistic draftings and create technical draftings of them. These are the draftings given to the scenic carpenters. They should be clear and have all the information a carpenter needs to start work immediately. A TD also keeps close contact with the Production Manager and keeps them informed of their budget's status at all Production Meetings.
Technical Director can also refer to the in-house chief designer/master carpenter for a smaller theater company..

Contents

Film

Software

Television

External links

Film

In visual FX/animation production such as Pixar or Industrial Light and Magic, a technical director's responsibilities vary from studio to studio. Technical directors may solely add digital lights, paint, texture, character develop, animate, rig, etc, or perform a combination of these tasks.

Software

In software development, a technical director's responsibilities vary from studio to studio. Technical directors may manage Lead Programmers, do research, and more. Technical directors are also responsible for checking the visual elements needed in the production.

Television

In television, the technical director actually refers to the role of the vision mixer or CCU operator, and works under the supervision of the television director. It is the TD's job to manually switch video sources, perform edits and overlay titles as ordered by the director. (The director does not directly interface with the production equipment, allowing him to coordinate the production and make rapid decisions.) The TD reserves a level of autonomy in exceptional cases, such as time constraints which may force him to fade to black early, or to switch away from shots which are not to broadcast standards or quality.
The TD also functions as crew chief, making sure all positions are manned and all equipment and facilities checked out and ready before the taping session or live broadcast begins. He/she may provide training to more inexperienced members of the crew. In consultation with the director, the TD may have more or less input into the creative side of the production, depending on the situation. He/she may provide the director with guidance on crew assignments, camera shots and the most efficient way to accomplish any given effect. The TD is usually responsible for the technical quality of the signal being recorded or broadcast, and often uses waveform monitors and vectorscopes to measure video levels.

External links

★ Stagelink Technical Directors Directory

★ UK based Sound and Lighting News !!