A technical director leads technicians to execute production projects, developing strategies for managing audio and visual aspects. This position reports to the director of a movie, TV show, or play and requires a computer science degree. Experience overseeing all aspects of production is preferred.
A technical director’s responsibilities include overseeing technical design and delivery, developing standards, and monitoring equipment. Skills necessary for this role are leadership, communication, collaboration, troubleshooting, creativity, and analytics.
Production duties involve coordinating schedules to ensure the crew has adequate work time and collaborating with the director on safety and creative vision. Building relationships, quick thinking, and problem-solving are crucial traits for a good tech director.
They coordinate with artistic and technical departments to ensure smooth and safe production operations, translating designers’ ideas into plans for the scenic crew. A technical director also evaluates and provides feedback to coaches, aside from being the contact point for conflict resolution within the season.
A technical director focuses on the technical aspects of productions, from pre-production through post-production. In contrast, a director is responsible for the overall vision, including the creative and storytelling aspects of a movie, TV show, or play.