TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

The jobs of TECHNICAL DIRECTOR and PRODUCTION MANAGER may vary from production to production and theatre to theatre. In some companies you may even find it as a combined position. It is important that you establish who will be responsible for what. Generally speaking, the PRODUCTION MANAGER is concerned with budgeting, cost control, overall scheduling and staffing issues. The TECHNICAL DIRECTOR is a technical co-ordinator and problem solver, who is responsible for planning and managing the productions technical requirements. The T.D. acts as an intermediary between the SET and LIGHTING DESIGNERS and the production department, ensuring the accurate and timely realization of designs.

Under a unionized crew structure, the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR is not the direct supervisor of the stage crew. Although the T.D. is in charge of the technical aspects of the production, execution of the project is the responsibility of the HOUSE HEADS. The TECHNICAL DIRECTOR will work very closely with the HOUSE HEAD negotiated to be in charge of the deck in order to mount the show.

The four positions of PRODUCTION MANAGER, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, STAGE MANAGER and WARDROBE SUPERVISOR make up the management team of each production and all information should be shared equally.

General areas of responsibility may include, but are not limited to:

ADMINISTRATION AND SCHEDULING

• Assesses the costs of building and running the production, in consultation with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, after obtaining input from the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER and other Resident Staff, HEADS OF DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR and DESIGNER
• Develops, with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, a preliminary labour budget
• Estimates costs of submitted set, costume, lighting and sound preliminary and completed designs, in conjunction with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, appropriate HEADS OF DEPARTMENT, and Resident Staff
• Signs off, with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, on all approved designs
• Contributes to the creation of a detailed MASTER PRODUCTION SCHEDULE, in conjunction with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, STAGE MANAGER and Resident staff
• Contributes to the creation of a detailed WEEKLY SCHEDULE, produced by the PRODUCTION MANAGER, based on input from the STAGE MANAGER and all HEADS OF DEPARTMENT. Due out by 12 noon the previous Friday.
• Contributes to the creation of a detailed DAILY SCHEDULE, produced by the PRODUCTION MANAGER, based on input from the STAGE MANAGER and all HEADS OF DEPARTMENT . Due out by 5 pm the previous day. If schedule changes happen after an evening rehearsal, an updated schedule must be posted prior to the company leaving the building. After the show opens, the schedule becomes the job of the STAGE MANAGER
• Negotiates, with the PRODUCTION MANAGER and Resident Staff, changes to schedules and responsibilities among departments
• Schedules and supervises crew meetings, as necessary
• Sources supplies and material needs prior to the actual start of construction and monitors same throughout the production process
• Consults with HEADS OF DEPARTMENT regarding the availability of material, equipment, and realistic completion dates; helps to prioritize jobs and projects
• Establishes deadlines for completion of all technical elements, in conjunction with the PRODUCTION MANAGER

PAPERWORK

• Ensures that master floor, set, seating, lighting and sound plans and plots are created in a timely manner by the appropriate parties; creates and drafts same, if necessary
• Creates a fly line plot if one does not exist
• Ensures blueprints, plans and drawings, original and revised, are copied and distributed to appropriate personnel
• Drafts plans, sections, plots and co-ordinated drawings, as necessary, throughout the production process
• Initiates and monitors technical department paperwork, including props lists, lighting/sound/fly cue lists, scenery tracking lists, and any other co-ordinating paperwork appropriate to the production
• Keeps detailed technical production records for all departments (the TECHNICAL BOOK); requests documentation from HEADS OF DEPARTMENT, as necessary
• Prepares, or delegates the preparation of, pre- and post-show checklists for various departments, as necessary. and ensures these tasks are completed

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Responsible for the logistical planning and monitoring of the production process
• Anticipates problems; works through any and all construction, installation and operation issues with concerned production personnel and artistic staff
• Consults with the Resident staff PRIOR to implementing any changes to approved methodology
• Ensures lines of communication are kept open and clear between production personnel and artistic staff

SUPERVISION AND STAFFING

• Supervises, in a functional sense, all technical production personnel
• Co-ordinates and monitors the progress of building, setting up and striking the show (sets, costumes, props, lighting, sound, paint, special effects), so that these activities are done safely, efficiently and logically
• Actively supervises the building, painting and rigging of scenery, the installation and operation of all lighting and sound equipment, any modifications made to the venue for the purposes of mounting the production, and the strike of same
• Directly supervises all cue setting sessions, technical, Q-to-Q, and dress rehearsals, with the input and co-operation of the STAGE MANAGER
• Assesses and ensures adequate staffing for all technical areas; discusses needs with PRODUCTION MANAGER and STAGE MANAGER; may post calls as appropriate
• Assists the PRODUCTION MANAGER in the assignment of PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS to calls and posts these calls, as appropriate
• Determines running crew composition, in conjunction with the PRODUCTION MANAGER and STAGE MANAGER
• Monitors technical staff performance and motivates when necessary
• Acts as a mediator to resolve conflicts

RULE ENFORCEMENT AND DISCIPLINE

• Ensures that all work by any member of the production company is completed using accepted, safe working practices as outlined in the Ministry of Labour’s SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR THE LIVE PERFORMANCE INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO
• Enforces the School’s SAFETY SHOE POLICY; ensures the use of HARD HATS where appropriate
• Ensures PERMISSION TO WORK policies are adhered to
• Maintains a system of Progressive Discipline; gives VERBAL WARNINGS and initiates the writing of FORMAL LETTERS by the PRODUCTION MANAGER, when necessary
• Enforces rules regarding eating, drinking and smoking on stage and in backstage areas
• Takes all necessary precautions to ensure that safe, uncluttered and clean conditions exist on stage and backstage; co-ordinates with the STAGE MANAGER to ensure conditions meet those outlined in the “Safe and Sanitary” section of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Agreement
• Maintains backstage crew discipline; keeps crew quiet
• Accounts for all crew members and operators prior to rehearsals and performances
• Establishes, with the Resident Staff, STAGE MANAGER and FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER, emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a fire alarm or other unforeseen circumstance; ensures all personnel understand their role
• Ensures that all calls, production work and rehearsals are conducted in the presence of a member of the Theatre School’s Staff or Faculty

GENERAL

• Inspects the venue prior to load-in, and, with the Resident Staff, documents the condition of the space and storage areas
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with the stage areas, dressing rooms, exits, emergency lights, breaker panels, telephones, etc.
• Explains clearly and concisely to the ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR what his or her duties will be
• Keeps an up-to-date TO DO list
• Keeps a stocked First Aid kit available at all times, and prepares INCIDENT REPORTS for the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER, if necessary
• Ensures the stage and backstage areas are left in a clean and orderly state at the end of each call
• Conducts, under the supervision of the Resident Staff, the PERFORMER’S SET ORIENTATION on stage
• Organizes and supervises the strike of the production
• Ensures venue is returned to pre-load-in state at strike; inspects the venue after strike, and, with the Resident Staff, documents the condition of the space and storage areas
• Responsible for arranging the Archival videotaping and file transfer of the show files to the Staff Technical Director

o Note: if an A and B show are present both must to taped

UNDER A UNION CREW STRUCTURE

• Liaises closely with the HOUSE HEADS to ensure an accurate and problem-free install and run of show
• Meets daily with the PRODUCTION MANAGER, LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT and HOUSE HEADS to determine crew staffing levels
• Recommends CREW MEMBER disciplinary action, when necessary, to the LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT

AFTER CLOSING NIGHT

• Submits the TECHNICAL BOOK at the end of the production to the staff PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER, for the  School archives; ensures it is compiled in a neat, professional and orderly manner
• Attends and participates in the Post Mortem
• Submits written evaluations for all production staff no later than the start of the Post Mortem

This information is intended as a guideline only. It is not intended to replace the required reading or research in your area, or information gained in the classroom.

The demands of this position, and the hours worked, will vary with each production.

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION MAY BE ALTERED WITHOUT NOTICE BY THE RESIDENT STAFF AND FACULTY