Technical adviser to the director (cinema)

Role and missions

The technical advisor to a film, television, series or theatre production is a member of civil society who contributes his or her expertise to give credibility to the artistic project.

After discussing the project with the director, he or she reads the script several times to visualise the production’s expectations.

He or she may go looking for locations for the shoot, such as a vineyard, a sensitive neighbourhood, a beach, etc.

He talks to the director, the technical team and the actors to distil valuable advice on how to make the filming, stunts and acting credible. He helps the film to fit in with reality and win over the audience.

If necessary, he can ask for a scene to be re-shot to bring more coherence to the way a case unfolds, the gestures of an actor, the resources and equipment used, the credibility of an intervention, etc.

Diplomas and training

You don’t need any specific training, just experience in your profession (police officer, firefighter, nurse, top sportsman, etc.) and good speaking skills to distil valuable advice. Knowing the right people in the audiovisual world helps you to get recruited in a profession that relies heavily on word of mouth. The Audiovisual and Film Production Designer course at CinéCréatis is a real asset for entering the world of cinema.

Skills and qualities required

The technical production consultant must be an expert in his or her field, in tune with the times. Connected to the latest methods, he or she is capable of making a film or television scene look real.

A keen analyst, when he reads the script he already knows which direction to take and what added value he can bring to the director and his team. He assesses the credibility of the elements in the script and the acting and suggests any necessary adjustments.

He supports the actors in their role as policeman, winegrower, elected politician… by distilling valuable advice on habits and how to manage their profession.

In the cinema more than anywhere else, you have to adapt to the hours of shooting, the gruelling schedule and the sometimes over-inflated egos of the actors. You have to be able to give advice and add value without coming across as a lecturer. Some actors don’t appreciate being told off too harshly, especially when they come from civil society, so you have to be able to adapt to all characters and help them get to grips with the role without putting them off.

Careers and career opportunities

Some civil society actors discover a passion for film and take on many films and audiovisual projects in addition to their work. Others give up their former profession altogether and take on only the role of technical adviser to the director. However, it’s important to realise that these are often one-off jobs and that you need a lot of experience in the profession (at least ten years) before you can be hired. In a very closed environment, particularly in the film industry, it is often the same people who are called back.

Salary expectations

The average gross salary for a technical production consultant is €1,600 per week worked. Salary varies according to the size of the project and the medium: television, film, theatre, etc. In general, this is a supplement to an existing salary.