Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435
Performance flying director
Performance flying directors design people flying effects for a performance and supervise or perform the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. They train the actors for the flying choreography and manipulate them during the performance. Performance flying directors prepare and supervise the setup, perform security checks and operate the person fly systems. The manipulation of persons on height, close to or above performers and audience makes this a high risk occupation.
Check yourself in a minute: performance flying director
Rate 5 of the 48 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
maintain flying harnesses
manage technical resources stock
understand artistic concepts
provide first aid
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (48)
analyse the artistic concept based on stage actionsanalyse the artistic concept based on stage actionsAnalyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production...maintain flying harnessesmaintain flying harnessesCheck, maintain and repair the harnesses and flying systems used to move actors through the air, giving the impression of flying.manage technical resources stockmanage technical resources stockManage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.design flying movementsdesign flying movementsDesign flying movements for artists in a live performance.write risk assessment on performing arts productionwrite risk assessment on performing arts productionAssess risks, propose improvements and describe measures to be taken on a production level in performing arts.analyse music scoreanalyse music scoreAnalysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.analyse the scenographyanalyse the scenographyAnalyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.perform quality control of design during a runperform quality control of design during a runControl and ensure the quality of design results during a run.use specialised design softwareuse specialised design softwareDeveloping new designs mastering specialised software.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.research new ideasresearch new ideasThorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.conduct costume researchconduct costume researchEnsure that costumes and pieces of clothing in visual artistic productions are historically correct, based on research conducted in primary sources as literature, museums, newspapers, pictures, etc.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.verify feasibilityverify feasibilityInterpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...maintain artist flying systemmaintain artist flying systemInstall, operate, maintain and repair artist flying systems for onstage purposes.identify technical resources for performancesidentify technical resources for performancesIdentify the technical equipment required for rehearsals and performances and the necessary production elements such as sets, props and costumes.test artist flying systemstest artist flying systemsMonitor or try flying systems to ensure health and safety conditions are adequate.coordinate pre-show checkscoordinate pre-show checksCoordinate the final checks before a performance in order to ensure a safe, optimal functioning environment that is fully ready to start the show.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.contextualise artistic workcontextualise artistic workIdentify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the fie...coach staff for running the performancecoach staff for running the performanceGive instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.promote health and safetypromote health and safetyPromote the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.analyse a scriptanalyse a scriptBreak down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.propose improvements to artistic productionpropose improvements to artistic productionAssess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.rehearse artist fly movementsrehearse artist fly movementsHelp the artist rehearse their flying movements using the appropriate equipment.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.define artistic approachdefine artistic approachDefine your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artis...adapt existing designs to changed circumstancesadapt existing designs to changed circumstancesAdapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.react to emergency situations in a live performance environmentreact to emergency situations in a live performance environmentAssess and react to an emergency (fire, threat, accident or another calamity), alerting emergency services and taking appropriate measures to safeguard or evacuate workers, participants, visitors or a...use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.train artists in flyingtrain artists in flyingTrain artists in operating fly harnesses and flying systems/rehearse fly movements.develop design conceptdevelop design conceptResearch information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concep...prepare performance training sessionprepare performance training sessionPrepare a training session for performers. Take into account the training goal, the training space, and performers' health and safety.prevent technical problems with flying equipmentprevent technical problems with flying equipmentAnticipate technical issues with flying equipment and prevent them where possible.evacuate people from heightsevacuate people from heightsSafely evacuate people from heights using rope access techniques.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...develop design ideas cooperativelydevelop design ideas cooperativelyShare and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with ...
Optional (26) — show
draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.understand the architecture of a live performanceunderstand the architecture of a live performanceIdentify the choreographic structure of a live performance work. Be aware of sequences, sections, parts and rhythmic structure.manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.monitor developments in technology used for designmonitor developments in technology used for designIdentify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.practise flying movementspractise flying movementsPractise flying movements using the appropriate equipment in vertical dance choreography.lead a teamlead a teamLead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.monitor sociological trendsmonitor sociological trendsIdentify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.update design results during rehearsalsupdate design results during rehearsalsUpdating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.update budgetupdate budgetMake sure that a given budget remains up to date using most recent and most accurate information. Anticipate possible variations and ensure that the set budgetary goals can be reached within the given...pack electronic equipmentpack electronic equipmentSafely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.coordinate purchasing activitiescoordinate purchasing activitiesCoordinate and manage procurement and renting processes including purchasing, renting, planning, tracking and reporting in a cost efficient way on an organisational level.prospect new customersprospect new customersInitiate activities in order to attract new and interesting customers. Ask for recommendations and references, find places where potential customers can be located.calculate design costscalculate design costsCalculate design costs to make sure the project is financially viable.analyse the need for technical resourcesanalyse the need for technical resourcesDefine and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.use rope access techniquesuse rope access techniquesApply ropework to work in elevated position. Safely ascend and descend ropes, wearing a harness.organise resources for artistic productionorganise resources for artistic productionCoordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.write technical riderswrite technical ridersParticipate in all aspects of the creation of technical riders. Create, or help create, cues for the technical crew in coordination with creators, directors and designers team. Verify that the crew un...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...present artistic design proposalspresent artistic design proposalsPrepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.manage signoff of an installed systemmanage signoff of an installed systemMake sure an installed technical system is adequately transferred and signed off for.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.develop methods for choreographic integrationdevelop methods for choreographic integrationDevelop methods to pass on your choreographic style or signature to the performers. Define a mode of transmission. Select the necessary tools.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
pyrotechnic designer31 shared essential skillscostume designer29 shared essential skillsperformance lighting designer29 shared essential skillsset designer28 shared essential skillssound designer28 shared essential skillspuppet designer27 shared essential skillsstage manager20 shared essential skillsautomated fly bar operator19 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a performance flying director do?
Performance flying directors design people flying effects for a performance and supervise or perform the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. They train the actors for the flying choreography and manipulate them during the performance. Performance flying directors prepare and supervise the setup, perform security checks and operate the person fly systems. The manipulation of persons on height, close to or above performers and audience makes this a high risk occupation.
What skills does a performance flying director need?
A performance flying director needs 48 essential skills, including analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions, maintain flying harnesses, manage technical resources stock, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts.
Will AI replace performance flying director jobs?
The AI disruption score for performance flying director is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: update budget, keep personal administration, manage consumables stock. Most resilient: react to emergency situations in a live performance environment, practise flying movements, provide first aid.
AI Replacement Risk
17/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills48
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