Job Duties Custom List 27-3042.00 — Technical Writers
- Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
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- 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.
- Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
- Locate performers or extras for crowd and background scenes, and stand-ins or photo doubles for actors, by direct contact or through agents.
- Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
- Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
- Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
- 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.
- Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.
- Direct shows, productions, and plays.
- Hire and supervise workers who help locate people with specified attributes and talents.
- Teach acting classes.
- Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
- 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.
- Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
- Locate performers or extras for crowd and background scenes, and stand-ins or photo doubles for actors, by direct contact or through agents.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
- Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
- Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes or "workshop" scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
- Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such as scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.
- Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements and cast and set accessibility.
- Conduct meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to ensure production objectives are attained.
- Compile scripts, program notes, and other material related to productions.
- Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
- Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
- Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
- Cut and edit film or tape to integrate component parts into desired sequences.
- Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
- Choose settings and locations for films and determine how scenes will be shot in these settings.
- Review film daily to check on work in progress and to plan for future filming.
- Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
- Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
- Arrange financing for productions.
- Hire principal cast members and crew members, such as art directors, cinematographers, and costume designers.
- Hold auditions for parts or negotiate contracts with actors determined suitable for specific roles.
- Select plays, scripts, books, news content, or ideas to be produced.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
- Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
- Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
- Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
- Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
- Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
- Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.
- Set up and execute video transitions and special effects, such as fades, dissolves, cuts, keys, and supers, using computers to manipulate pictures as necessary.
- Discuss filter options, lens choices, and the visual effects of objects being filmed with photography directors and video operators.
- Follow instructions from production managers and directors during productions, such as commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics, and takes.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
- Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
- Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
- Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
- Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
- Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
- Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
- Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
- Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
- Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
- Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
- Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
- Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
- Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
- Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
- Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
- Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
- Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
- Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
- Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
- Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
- Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
- Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
- Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
- Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Act as a liaison between talent and directors, providing information that performers or guests need to prepare for appearances and communicating relevant information from guests, performers, or staff to directors.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
- Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
- Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
- Develop budgets for programming and broadcasting activities and monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within budgetary limits.
- Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.
- Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
- Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
- Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
- Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
- Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
- Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
- Plan and schedule programming and event coverage, based on broadcast length, time availability, and other factors, such as community needs, ratings data, and viewer demographics.
- Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
- Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
- Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.
- Evaluate new and existing programming to assess suitability and the need for changes, using information such as audience surveys and feedback.
- Conduct interviews for broadcasts.
- Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues, such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
- Review information about programs and schedules to ensure accuracy and provide such information to local media outlets.
- Direct setup of remote facilities and install or cancel programs at remote stations.
- Cue announcers, actors, performers, and guests.
- Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising activities.
- Act as a liaison between talent and directors, providing information that performers or guests need to prepare for appearances and communicating relevant information from guests, performers, or staff to directors.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
- Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
- Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
- Develop budgets for programming and broadcasting activities and monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within budgetary limits.
- Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
- Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.
- Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
- Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
- Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.
- Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
- Review written, audio, or video copy, and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
- Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
- Determine a published or broadcasted story's emphasis, length, and format, organizing material accordingly.
- Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.
- Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
- Photograph or videotape news events.
- Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
- Take pictures or video, and process them for inclusion in a story.
- Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.
- Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
- Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.
- Write online blog entries that address news developments or offer additional information, opinions, or commentary on news events.
- Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
- Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
- Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and travel with team to away contests.
- Oversee the development and management of the sports program budget and fundraising activities.
- Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions.
- Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes for games, competitive events, or tours.
- Adjust coaching techniques, based on the strengths and weaknesses of athletes.
- Instruct individuals or groups in sports rules, game strategies, and performance principles, such as specific ways of moving the body, hands, or feet, to achieve desired results.
- Plan strategies and choose team members for individual games or sports seasons.
- Counsel student athletes on academic, athletic, and personal issues.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams to develop game strategies.
- Evaluate athletes' skills and review performance records to determine their fitness and potential in a particular area of athletics.
- Keep abreast of changing rules, techniques, technologies, and philosophies relevant to their sport.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations.
- Contact the parents of players to provide information and answer questions.
- Arrange and conduct sports-related activities, such as training camps, skill-improvement courses, clinics, and pre-season try-outs.
- Explain and demonstrate the use of sports and training equipment, such as trampolines or weights.
- Perform activities that support a team or a specific sport, such as participating in community outreach activities, meeting with media representatives, and appearing at fundraising events.
- Plan and direct physical conditioning programs that will enable athletes to achieve maximum performance.
- Hire, supervise, and work with extended coaching staff.
- Serve as organizer, leader, instructor, or referee for outdoor and indoor games, such as volleyball, football, and soccer.
- Teach instructional courses and advise students.
- Develop and arrange competition schedules and programs.
- Keep and review paper, computerized, and video records of athlete, team, and opposing team performance.
- File scouting reports that detail player assessments, provide recommendations on athlete recruitment, and identify locations and individuals to be targeted for future recruitment efforts.
- Select, acquire, store, and issue equipment and other materials as necessary.
- Negotiate with professional athletes or their representatives to obtain services and arrange contracts.
- Monitor the academic eligibility of student athletes.
- Monitor athletes' use of equipment to ensure safe and proper use.
- Identify and recruit potential athletes by sending recruitment letters, meeting with recruits, and arranging and offering incentives, such as athletic scholarships.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and travel with team to away contests.
- Oversee the development and management of the sports program budget and fundraising activities.
- Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
- Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
- Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
- Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
- Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
- Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
- Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
- Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.
- Convert real objects to animated objects through modeling, using techniques such as optical scanning.
- Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer.
- Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence.
- Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
- Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.
- Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
- Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
- Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.
- Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences.
- Plan or conduct market or public opinion research to test products or determine potential for product success, communicating results to client or management.
- Develop plans or materials to communicate organizational activities that are beneficial to the environment, public safety, or other important social issues.
- Confer with production or support personnel to produce or coordinate production of advertisements or promotions.
- Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals.
- Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.
- Develop marketing campaigns for environmental technologies or services.
- Purchase advertising space or time as required to promote client's product or agenda.
- Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.
- Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.
- Locate guests to appear on talk or interview shows.
- Operate control consoles.
- Record commercials for later broadcast.
- Announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from listening audience.
- Study background information to prepare for programs or interviews.
- Read news flashes to inform audiences of important events.
- Identify stations, and introduce or close shows, ad-libbing or using memorized or read scripts.
- Prepare and deliver news, sports, or weather reports, gathering and rewriting material so that it will convey required information and fit specific time slots.
- Select program content, in conjunction with producers and assistants, based on factors such as program specialties, audience tastes, or requests from the public.
- Comment on music and other matters, such as weather or traffic conditions.
- Develop story lines for broadcasts.
- Discuss various topics over the telephone with viewers or listeners.
- Interview show guests about their lives, their work, or topics of current interest.
- Provide commentary and conduct interviews during sporting events, parades, conventions, or other events.
- Make promotional appearances at public or private events to represent their employers.
- Host civic, charitable, or promotional events broadcast over television or radio.
- Attend press conferences to gather information for broadcast.
- Write and edit video and scripts for broadcasts.
- Maintain organization of the music library.
- Keep daily program logs to provide information on all elements aired during broadcast, such as musical selections and station promotions.
- Give network cues permitting selected stations to receive programs.
- Coordinate games, contests, or other on-air competitions, performing such duties as asking questions and awarding prizes.
- Moderate panels or discussion shows on topics such as current affairs, art, or education.
- Describe or demonstrate products that viewers may purchase through specific shows or in stores.
- Locate guests to appear on talk or interview shows.
- Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.
- Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
- Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
- Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
- Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
- Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
- Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
- Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
- Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
- Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.
- Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.
- Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
- Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.
- Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
- Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.
- Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.
- Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
- Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
- Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.
- Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.
- Coordinate the transportation of sets that are built off-site, and coordinate their setup at the site of use.
- Confer with conservators to determine how to handle an exhibit's environmental aspects, such as lighting, temperature, and humidity, so that objects will be protected and exhibits will be enhanced.
- Select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction.
- Arrange for outside contractors to construct exhibit structures.
- Coordinate the removal of sets, props, and exhibits after productions or events are complete.
- Provide supportive materials for exhibits and displays, such as press kits, advertising, publicity notices, posters, brochures, catalogues, and invitations.
- Incorporate security systems into exhibit layouts.
- Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.
- Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
- Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
- Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
- Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
- Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
- Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
- Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
- Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.
- Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores.
- Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.
- Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.
- Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians.
- Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.
- Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects.
- Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.
- Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.
- Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
- Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.
- Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores.
- Copy parts from scores for individual performers.
- Produce recordings of music.
- Stay abreast of the latest trends in music and music technology.
- Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
- Collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts.
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
- Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.
- Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
- Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.
- Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
- Teach music for specific instruments.
- Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
- Audition for orchestras, bands, or other musical groups.
- Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording.
- Make or participate in recordings in music studios.
- Promote their own or their group's music by participating in media interviews and other activities.
- Make or participate in recordings.
- Research particular roles to find out more about a character, or the time and place in which a piece is set.
- Learn acting, dancing, and other skills required for dramatic singing roles.
- Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.
- Direct bands or orchestras.
- Compose songs or create vocal arrangements.
- Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.
- Improvise music during performances.
- Compose original music, such as popular songs, symphonies, or sonatas.
- Perform in television, radio, or movie productions.
- Practice performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- Collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts.
- Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
- Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
- Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
- Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
- Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
- Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
- Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
- Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
- Shade and fill in sketch outlines and backgrounds, using a variety of media such as water colors, markers, and transparent washes, labeling designated colors when necessary.
- Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
- Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
- Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
- Study styles, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used in works undergoing restoration to ensure consistency during the restoration process.
- Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
- Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
- Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
- Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
- Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
- Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies.
- Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work.
- Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings.
- Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
- Examine and test paintings in need of restoration or cleaning to determine techniques and materials to be used.
- Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
- Render sequential drawings that can be turned into animated films or advertisements.
- Create graphics, illustrations, and three-dimensional models to be used in research or in teaching, such as in demonstrating anatomy, pathology, or surgical procedures.
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
- Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
