Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Floor managers work in television and studio managers work in radio. They act as a link between the filming director and the studio floor. They also organise and co-ordinate what is happening on the studio floor. For instance, they make sure that the performers, audience and technical equipment are all in their correct places.  
 
Floor managers may also work on outside broadcasts for both television and film. The floor manager is responsible for the audience if there is one.  
 
Travel and stays away from home may be required, especially for location work and outside broadcasts. They pass information and progress reports from live events to the presenters of shows. They also oversee the work of the lighting and props department. When on air the floor manager receives messages and information from the director which they then pass on to presenters and guests.  
 
Studio managers make sure that the studios and technical equipment are set up correctly before a radio transmission is made. Typical activities include:

• checking sound balance and quality
• controlling the mixing desk
• running tapes and discs at the right moment
• devising appropriate sound effects.

In addition to studio work, studio managers may occasionally work in an outside broadcasting unit. After gaining experience, it is usual for studio managers to specialise in a particular area of broadcasting such as sports, drama or music.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
• Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
• Communicate to actors the approach, characterisation, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimised.
• Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
• Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
• Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
• Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
• 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.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are many different paths to develop a career as a floor manager. Studio Operations and/or Communications skills would be an advantage. Some experience in art, music and amateur dramatics/theatre, finance, production, and management work would also be an advantage for applicants.

Floor managers may be recruited from junior posts based on experience. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Media production in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, Theatre & performance, TV & Film studies, Film production, Media studies at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Animator Apprenticeship NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, TV & Film production, Media & Communication, Arts & media studies NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Creative digital media NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Screen skills Work based learning programs  Training for production assistants may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  

IFTV Irish Film & Television network For a list of TV/ Film production companies and Career roles 

Careersinscreen

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €53k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Salary band/ Indeed/ Payscale/ Grad

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE)

  • Donnybrook, Dublin 4
  • (01) 208 3111
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here