You really don't get a good idea about any of those professions through the media. Watching C-SPAN or even the West Wing only gives you a minute glimpse. Same with actors (most of the actors time on set is spent waiting or doing nothing). 90% of a director's job is done before the 1st day the camera's start rolling (and the majority of a director's career is spent emailing or meeting about prospective jobs, not actually on set directing actors).