This occupational group includes a range of technical, coordinating and supervisory workers who coordinate and perform specific activities for television, radio and motion picture productions, news broadcasts, theatre and stage productions, and other live or recorded productions.
Want to learn more? Watch this WorkBC Career Trek video and see what it’s like to work in this type of career.
People in this group:
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 1,590
N/A - Data not available
Floor managers:
Key grips:
Gaffers and lighting technicians:
Stunt co-ordinators and special effects technicians:
Makeup artists:
Costumiers:
Settings shop foremen:
Property masters:
Workers in this group may be required to work irregular hours, including overnight shifts. Since work in this industry is often project-based, workers may experience periods of unemployment.
Working conditions for other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts vary depending on the specific occupation. Work may be in movie or broadcast studios, in theatres or on location. Workers may be required to travel to various locations, depending on the project.
Employees may work closely with performers and backstage crews. Some positions involve moving heavy equipment, dismantling sets and climbing scaffolds in studios and theatres.
Source: 2016 Census
For most occupations in this group, completion of a college or university program in broadcasting, technical production for theatre, theatre arts or a related field is required for employment. Other requirements may include:
Makeup artists generally need a portfolio of work in order to demonstrate their creative and technical ability to employers. Floor managers also require a portfolio of work.
For gaffers, lighting technicians, key grips and other stage technicians, completion of a college program or other specialized training program in technical production for theatre is required.
In B.C., the Industry Trades Authority (ITA) offers a two-year apprenticeship program for grips and another program for set dressers. Trade certification is not mandatory for these workers, but it can offer increased job opportunities. Apprenticeships programs:
For more information, see the ITA website at www.itabc.ca.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 35 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Career paths
Depending on the size of the production or broadcasting studio, there may be an overlap in duties among occupations in this group.
With appropriate education and experience, workers in other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures may progress to senior or supervisory positions.
Additional resources