Casting Director: Occupations in Alberta

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

5131.2: Directors

2006 NOC-S

F031: Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations

2011 NOC

5131: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2016 NOC

5131: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2021 NOC

51120: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2023 OaSIS

51120.02: Directors

Duties

Updated May 17, 2021

Casting directors work closely with performers and film production people. In general, principal casting directors:

Review performers' promotional materials such as photos, resumes, demo reels and voice over demo recordings
Review scripts, prepare a succinct breakdown of the nature of each role to be cast, describe characteristics and special requirements for each role, and distribute the information to appropriate talent agencies and self-represented performers
Pre-screen candidates to select the most suitable performers for the director and the producer to see
Facilitate the scheduling of callbacks (secondary auditions) for those performers the director and producer wish to work with further on a particular role
Research organizations, associations or individuals in order to cast a role requiring a specific skill or unique talent - anything from a fire-breathing unicyclist to an Olympic-calibre athlete
Negotiate contracts and scheduling between performers or their agents and the production company

Background casting directors find background performers ("extras") including: stand-ins for lead performers, photo doubles, and performers for non-speaking parts and crowd scenes. They must often deal with scheduling changes.

Working Conditions

Updated May 17, 2021

Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Casting directors often work under tight schedules. Conditions vary depending on the director and producer. Travel may be required to audition new talent and meet television or film production people. To save on travel, delivery costs and time, auditions are often scheduled and held online, then uploaded to private sites.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Directors

Directors

2006 NOC: 5131.2

Interest Codes

INNOVATIVE: Interest in studying scripts to determine artistic interpretations; and in co-ordinating the activities of production staff to develop desired effects
DIRECTIVE: Interest in co-ordinating the activities of performers, extras and production personnel; and in advising them on the interpretation and delivery of performances, and in conferring with crew and specialists throughout production and post-production to achieve desired presentations
SOCIAL: Interest in instructing cast members and production personnel to develop and achieve presentations that reflect desired artistic interpretations

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group

Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills

Updated May 17, 2021

Casting directors need:

Knowledge of and connections in the acting industry
Flexibility and adaptability
The ability to work long hours in fast-paced, varied environments
Communication skills, both in person and in writing
Interpersonal skills
The ability to recognize strong performances

People skills are essential; casting directors must be able to recognize the acting potential and ability in individuals during auditions.

They should enjoy compiling information from scripts and signalling cues, taking charge of situations, and negotiating.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2016 NOC: 5131

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 41 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 02, 2022 and Nov 21, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
What training you may need to get these skills
What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.

Attention to detail

Work under pressure

Tasks: Co-ordinate and direct the photography of production

Tasks: Supervise staff or team

Effective interpersonal skills

Tasks: Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of production

Tasks: Determine lighting, lenses, camera angles and backgrounds

Organized

Excellent oral communication

Manufacturing Sector Experience: 3-4 people

Attention to detail	24
Work under pressure	22
Tasks: Co-ordinate and direct the photography of production	19
Tasks: Supervise staff or team	19
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills	18
Tasks: Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of production	18
Tasks: Determine lighting, lenses, camera angles and backgrounds	16
Construction Specialization: Organized	16
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication	16
Manufacturing Sector Experience: 3-4 people	15

Educational Requirements

Updated May 17, 2021

Minimum Education Varies

There is no particular educational route to enter this field. Casting directors come from diverse backgrounds including:

Theatre and film
Business
Public relations

Interested individuals may be able to arrange informal apprenticeships or mentoring with established casting directors, as casting assistants. Casting assistants learn what to look for in talent, how to negotiate terms and will eventually build up an established network of actors, producers and directors. Post-secondary education in the performing arts and contract negotiation skills are definite assets.

For union jobs, casting directors must be familiar with the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Independent Production Agreement for film and television productions and the ACTRA National Commercial Agreement for television and radio commercials. These agreements outline standards such as wage minimums and working conditions that must be followed by members of the Canadian Media Producers Association, the Institute of Communication Agencies and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Post-Secondary Programs
2006 NOC 5131.2: Directors

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements

Updated May 17, 2021

Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement

Updated May 17, 2021

- 3-Year Forecast Lower
- Employed < 1500
- Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
- 5-Year Forecast above avg (2.7%)
- New Positions 60
- Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Casting directors are hired on contract for specific projects by:

Film, theatre and video production companies
Advertising agencies
Television and radio stations and networks

They usually have an extensive network of talent, and experience with both acting and filmic technologies, because they function as a go-between among dramatic, technical and creative personnel.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
2016 NOC: 5131

76.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

Information, Culture and Recreation

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2021 NOC: 51120

Lower

Demand

< 1500

Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
Location in Alberta
Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
Size of the occupation
Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2016 NOC: 5131

2.7%

Annual Growth
(Above Average)

60

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Fewer than 10 casting directors are currently employed in Alberta.

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

2016 NOC: 5131

Average Wage

$39.29

Per Hour

Average Salary

$78,713.00

Per Year

Average Hours

38.6

Per Week

Average Months on Payroll

12

Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 5131 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability

Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees

Low
High
Average
Median

Starting

Overall

Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees

Wages*	Low (5th percentile)	High (95th percentile)	Average	Median
Starting	$17.44	$37.96	$31.41	$32.00
Overall	$20.89	$46.61	$39.29	$43.14
Top	$26.84	$50.35	$42.21	$44.77

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES

Information, Culture, Recreation

Health Care & Social Assistance

Public Administration

ALL INDUSTRIES	$78,713
Information, Culture, Recreation	$79,493
Health Care & Social Assistance	$82,424
Public Administration	$91,850

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

36%

36%)

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

15%

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

0%

Vacancy Rate

N/A

Related High School Subjects

Fine Arts
- Drama
Media, Design and Communication Arts
- Communication Technology

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Casting Director

Directors

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group

Your Interest Codes

Reading Interest Codes

Abilities

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Employment Outlook

Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

B: Good Reliability

Hourly Wage

Hourly Wage

Industry Information

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

Vacancy Rate