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      • Common Tasks
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    • Life on the Job
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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 the most famous actors, producers, and directors work in film, network television, or theater in New York or Los Angeles, far more work in local or regional television studios, theaters, or film production companies preparing advertising, public-relations, or independent, small-scale movie productions.

Actors perform in stage, radio, television, video, or motion picture productions. They also work in cabarets, nightclubs, theme parks, commercials, and "industrial" films produced for training and educational purposes. Most actors struggle to find steady work; only a few ever achieve recognition as stars. Some well-known, experienced performers may be cast in supporting roles. Others work as "extras," with no lines to deliver, or make brief, cameo appearances, speaking only one or two lines. Some actors do voiceover and narration work for advertisements, animated features, books on tape, and other electronic media, including computer games. They also teach in high school or university drama departments, acting conservatories, or public programs.

Producers are entrepreneurs, overseeing the business and financial decisions of a motion picture, made-for-television feature, or stage production. They select scripts, approve the development of ideas for the production, arrange financing, and determine the size and cost of the endeavor. Producers hire or approve the selection of directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members. They also negotiate contracts with artistic and design personnel in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and guarantee payment of salaries, rent, and other expenses. Television and radio producers determine which programs, episodes, or news segments get aired. They may research material, write scripts, and oversee the production of individual pieces. Producers in any medium coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and agents to ensure that each project stays on schedule and within budget.

Directors are responsible for the creative decisions of a production. They interpret scripts, express concepts to set and costume designers, 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. Assistant directors cue the performers and technicians to make entrances or to make light, sound, or set changes.

Task	Level of Importance	Frequency
Study and rehearse roles from scripts in order to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.	4.78	Daily (27.54%)
Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.	4.75	Daily (31.84%)
Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other in order to develop role interpretations.	4.74	Weekly or more (25.58%)
Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.	4.63	Daily (21.67%)
Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.	4.55	Weekly or more (33.64%)
Attend auditions and casting calls in order to audition for roles.	4.48	Monthly or more (38.97%)
Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements in order to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.	4.43	Weekly or more (27.73%)
Work with other crewmembers responsible for lighting, costumes, makeup, and props.	3.94	Monthly or more (30.51%)
Sing and/or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.	3.83	Yearly or more (31.27%)
Write original or adapted material for dramas, comedies, puppet shows, narration, or other performances.	3.80	Yearly or more (41.37%)
Promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies.	3.43	Yearly or more (56.72%)
Read from scripts or books to narrate action or to inform or entertain audiences, utilizing few or no stage props.	3.43	Yearly or more (53.48%)
Prepare and perform action stunts for motion picture, television, or stage productions.	3.28	Yearly or more (49.91%)
Tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort face, and use other devices to amuse audiences.	3.13	Yearly or less (26.23%)
Introduce performances and performers in order to stimulate excitement and coordinate smooth transition of acts during events.	2.94	Yearly or less (33.61%)
Manipulate strings, wires, rods, or fingers to animate puppets or dummies in synchronization with talking, singing, or recorded programs.	2.66	Yearly or less (64.88%)
Dress in comical clown costumes and makeup, and perform comedy routines to entertain audiences.	2.52	Yearly or less (52.97%)
Perform original and stock tricks of illusion to entertain and mystify audiences, occasionally including audience members as participants.	2.42	Yearly or less (45.97%)
Construct puppets and ventriloquist dummies, and sew accessory clothing, using hand tools and machines.	2.26	Yearly or less (78.24%)

Importance Thinking Creatively [ ? ]  4.81 Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships [ ? ]  4.52 Performing for or Working Directly with the Public [ ? ]  4.46 Getting Information [ ? ]  4.03 Making Decisions and Solving Problems [ ? ]  3.85 Developing Objectives and Strategies [ ? ]  3.76 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People [ ? ]  3.68 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work [ ? ]  3.67 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates [ ? ]  3.58 Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others [ ? ]  3.48 Performing General Physical Activities [ ? ]  3.44 Scheduling Work and Activities [ ? ]  3.38 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events [ ? ]  3.37 Developing and Building Teams [ ? ]  3.28 Communicating with Persons Outside Organization [ ? ]  3.19 Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others [ ? ]  3.08 Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others [ ? ]  2.94 Documenting/Recording Information [ ? ]  2.92 Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge [ ? ]  2.89 Coaching and Developing Others [ ? ]  2.79 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings [ ? ]  2.75 Training and Teaching Others [ ? ]  2.69 Assisting and Caring for Others [ ? ]  2.63 Handling and Moving Objects [ ? ]  2.58 Selling or Influencing Others [ ? ]  2.57 Analyzing Data or Information [ ? ]  2.25 Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates [ ? ]  2.11 Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards [ ? ]  2.08 Provide Consultation and Advice to Others [ ? ]  2.07 Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information [ ? ]  1.96 Processing Information [ ? ]  1.95 Monitoring and Controlling Resources [ ? ]  1.81 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material [ ? ]  1.76 Interacting With Computers [ ? ]  1.68 Staffing Organizational Units [ ? ]  1.66 Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment [ ? ]  1.51 Performing Administrative Activities [ ? ]  1.48 Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment [ ? ]  1.28 Controlling Machines and Processes [ ? ]  1.12 Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment [ ? ]  1.04 Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment [ ? ]  1.03

Level Thinking Creatively [ ? ]  6.08 Performing for or Working Directly with the Public [ ? ]  5.80 Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships [ ? ]  5.56 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work [ ? ]  4.75 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates [ ? ]  4.38 Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others [ ? ]  4.05 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People [ ? ]  4.03 Communicating with Persons Outside Organization [ ? ]  4.02 Making Decisions and Solving Problems [ ? ]  3.98 Performing General Physical Activities [ ? ]  3.98 Scheduling Work and Activities [ ? ]  3.95 Developing Objectives and Strategies [ ? ]  3.94 Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge [ ? ]  3.78 Developing and Building Teams [ ? ]  3.75 Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others [ ? ]  3.62 Handling and Moving Objects [ ? ]  3.29 Coaching and Developing Others [ ? ]  3.29 Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others [ ? ]  3.25 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events [ ? ]  3.09 Getting Information [ ? ]  3.04 Documenting/Recording Information [ ? ]  3.03 Selling or Influencing Others [ ? ]  3.00 Training and Teaching Others [ ? ]  2.86 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings [ ? ]  2.70 Assisting and Caring for Others [ ? ]  2.41 Provide Consultation and Advice to Others [ ? ]  1.90 Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates [ ? ]  1.81 Analyzing Data or Information [ ? ]  1.77 Monitoring and Controlling Resources [ ? ]  1.69 Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards [ ? ]  1.62 Processing Information [ ? ]  1.43 Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information [ ? ]  1.34 Interacting With Computers [ ? ]  1.20 Performing Administrative Activities [ ? ]  1.00 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material [ ? ]  0.91 Staffing Organizational Units [ ? ]  0.88 Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment [ ? ]  0.46 Controlling Machines and Processes [ ? ]  0.34 Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment [ ? ]  0.29 Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment [ ? ]  0.07 Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment [ ? ]  0.04