Meet Roisin and find out about her life as a freelance music video director and stylist. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
I was always incredibly good at communicating a visual idea through words.
Roisin directs music videos. She listens to an artist鈥檚 song and creates a video treatment for it. That includes writing down shot lists, ideas for lighting and what she鈥檚 trying to achieve visually
She works long days - sometimes from 6am to 11pm
Roisin is a freelancer, which means she is self-employed. She feels she has been able to progress further and more quickly this way
Roisin studied English, Media Studies and Art at A-level. She didn鈥檛 want to go to university, though she did recognise that it might have opened up opportunities for her, such as allowing her to move to another country
She says it鈥檚 important to get as much experience as possible. Often this can be low- or unpaid work
Roisin believes that the key skills for this role are good communication and organisational skills. It also helps to be able to play around with your ideas.
A similar role to a music video director is a TV and film directors. They lead the creative and technical production for cinema and television.
What to expect if you want to be a TV or film director
- TV or film director average salary: variable
- TV or film director typical working hours: 39 to 41 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a TV or film director?
You could get into this role via a university course or a college course such as a Level 3 Diploma or a T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production (England-only, from Sept 2023). You can also work towards the role, produce and release your own films or do specialist courses run by private training providers.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service,
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the for more on T-levels.
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