It is the job of a technical director to ensure that the technical equipment in the theater is functional, and safe, for example lighting and sound equipment; The technical director is responsible for the general organization of the technical production process. Duties include budget estimates and maintaining accounts, researching and purchasing materials, scheduling and supervising construction, handling conflicts that arise between different departments, and organizing housekeeping.

"Technical director" may also refer to the chief designer or master house carpenter of a smaller theater company.

The technical director (often abbreviated TD) works in a television studio production control room and operates the video switcher and associated devices, in addition to serving as the television crew chief. For remote viewing outside the studio, the TD will perform the same functions on a mobile production truck. It is the job of the TD to ensure that all positions are manned and all equipment and facilities are checked out and ready before the recording session or live broadcast begins. They typically change video sources, follow live digital effects and transitions, and insert pre-recorded footage, graphics and titles according to the director's instructions. In larger productions, the director does not actually use the production team, but instead coordinates the production and makes quick decisions without having to worry about how to mechanically execute the effect or move the camera at his request. The technical director may provide training to more experienced members of the technical team when necessary. In consultation with the director, the TD may have more or less input into the creative part of the production, depending on the situation. He can present the director with guidance on crew assignments, camera shots, and the most efficient way to achieve any given effect. The TD is generally responsible for the technical quality of the signal being recorded or broadcast and will use various measuring devices and displays to ensure quality control.

Technical directors typically work on productions that are either broadcast live or recorded on videotape or video servers. Television film productions generally do not use TD. Cuts and camera effects are done in post-production after filming is completed.

The terminology in the UK differs in some ways: the production control room is called a 'gallery', a mobile production truck is called an 'OB* van' or a 'scanner'. In UK television practice, the technical director is the senior technical person in the gallery and supervises the technical team, but does not operate the “vision mixer”. The TD is responsible for ensuring that the gallery is technically useful for the purpose and routing of internal and external sources, as well as facilitating liaison with other technical areas such as master control rooms and broadcast suites. In addition, they can exert vision control functions, matching the exposure and color balance of the cameras ("tormenting").

It is the job of a technical director to ensure that the technical equipment in the theater is functional, and safe, for example lighting and sound equipment; The technical director is responsible for the general organization of the technical production process. Duties include budget estimates and maintaining accounts, researching and purchasing materials, scheduling and supervising construction, handling conflicts that arise between different departments, and organizing housekeeping.

"Technical director" may also refer to the chief designer or master house carpenter of a smaller theater company.

The technical director (often abbreviated TD) works in a television studio production control room and operates the video switcher and associated devices, in addition to serving as the television crew chief. For remote viewing outside the studio, the TD will perform the same functions on a mobile production truck. It is the job of the TD to ensure that all positions are manned and all equipment and facilities are checked out and ready before the recording session or live broadcast begins. They typically change video sources, follow live digital effects and transitions, and insert pre-recorded footage, graphics and titles according to the director's instructions. In larger productions, the director does not actually use the production team, but instead coordinates the production and makes quick decisions without having to worry about how to mechanically execute the effect or move the camera at his request. The technical director may provide training to more experienced members of the technical team when necessary. In consultation with the director, the TD may have more or less input into the creative part of the production, depending on the situation. He can present the director with guidance on crew assignments, camera shots, and the most efficient way to achieve any given effect. The TD is generally responsible for the technical quality of the signal being recorded or broadcast and will use various measuring devices and displays to ensure quality control.

Technical directors typically work on productions that are either broadcast live or recorded on videotape or video servers. Television film productions generally do not use TD. Cuts and camera effects are done in post-production after filming is completed.

The terminology in the UK differs in some ways: the production control room is called a 'gallery', a mobile production truck is called an 'OB* van' or a 'scanner'. In UK television practice, the technical director is the senior technical person in the gallery and supervises the technical team, but does not operate the “vision mixer”. The TD is responsible for ensuring that the gallery is technically useful for the purpose and routing of internal and external sources, as well as facilitating liaison with other technical areas such as master control rooms and broadcast suites. In addition, they can exert vision control functions, matching the exposure and color balance of the cameras ("tormenting").