Occupations · Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 27-2012.04

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
Direct shows, productions, and plays.
Hire and supervise workers who help locate people with specified attributes and talents.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening4.0

Speaking4.0

Reading Comprehension3.9

Critical Thinking3.9

Monitoring3.4

Writing3.2

Active Learning3.0

Learning Strategies2.8

Mathematics2.0

Science1.5

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Amazon Web Services AWS software●Linux●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●Oracle Java●SAP software●Salesforce software●UNIX●AgencyProAppointment scheduling softwareBlogging softwareDatabase softwareEmail softwareOracle JavaServer Pages JSPVideo content editing softwareWeb browser softwareWebsite development software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−2.0 below average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.7 below average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.2 below average

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment−1.2 below average

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings−1.1 below average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable−1.0 below average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions−1.0 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2019-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree42%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)19%

Master's Degree11%

Some College Courses10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2019-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Enterprising5.9

Artistic5.7

Social4.3

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Direct shows, productions, and plays.
Teach acting classes.

O*NET 23.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness3.9

Judgment and Decision Making3.9

Negotiation3.4

Coordination3.2

Time Management3.2

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Persuasion3.1

Management of Personnel Resources3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministration and ManagementAdministrative

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClarityInductive ReasoningOriginality

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Model BookerTalent AgentTalent ScoutCasting AgentArtist ManagerTalent ProducerCasting DirectorPageant DirectorArtistic DirectorRepertoire ManagerCasting CoordinatorEntertainment AgentContestant CoordinatorExtras Casting Director

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 9

+UNIX+Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP+Microsoft PowerPoint+Microsoft Windows+Linux+SAP software+Oracle Java+Salesforce software+Amazon Web Services AWS software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Model BookerTalent AgentTalent ScoutCasting AgentArtist ManagerTalent ProducerCasting DirectorTalent AssociatePageant DirectorArtistic DirectorCasting AssistantCasting Associate

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
casting director	2166.4.2	exact
talent agent	3339.8	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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