Film Production Technician (Hybrid)

🔍 School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford, California, United States

📁: Communications

📅   : Apr 19, 2024 Post Date

📅   : 102968 Requisition #

Film Production Technician (Hybrid)

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Department/Program Description: The Department of Art & Art History is an interdisciplinary department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in art history, art practice, documentary filmmaking, and film and media studies. The team of 16 staff supports the research and teaching of 25 faculty and some 30 lecturers each year. The department has approximately 145 undergraduate majors and minors and 56 graduate students. Our department’s core values include integrity, respect, inclusion, creativity, service, and stewardship. The Department of Art & Art History is committed to building an equitable, antiracist, and non-discriminatory environment that empowers all students, staff, faculty, and community members. Department courses offer opportunities for students to better understand the meaning and purpose of the arts, their historical development, and their role in society through practical engagement with various physical and digital media and theoretical and critical study. (Mediums include wood, metal, sound, photography, film, comics, virtual reality, and more). Our faculty teach various socially impactful art and media courses that grapple/unpack topics of activism, decolonization, global politics, and social identities.

Position Summary: The Department of Art and Art History is seeking a Film Production Technician. The Film Production Technician will work under general supervision of the Documentary Film Technical Manager and must possess and demonstrate a positive outlook on continuous process improvement efforts while maintaining a team-based and customer-focused mindset. It is critical that this position exhibit the abilities to practice sound judgment and decision-making, effective written & oral communication, strong attention to detail and respectful relationship management. This position must also exhibit a strong desire to continuously learn new and unfamiliar business topics, policies and procedures as they relate to providing day-to-day support of graduate and undergraduate film production courses – the ability to translate this information into operational successes will be critical.

The Film Production Technician supports one of the most renowned Documentary Film MFA programs in the country. Under the supervision of the Documentary Film Technical Manager, the Film Production Technician works closely with faculty and students to provide day-to-day support of graduate and undergraduate film production courses in the Department of Art & Art History. This role is responsible for maintenance, tracking, inventory and distribution of production equipment, the use and upkeep of all associated computing hardware and software, demonstrating equipment to students and supporting their use of it. The Film Production Technician maintains the program’s Equipment Cage, student edit suites, green screen lighting studio, classrooms, and projection booths.

The successful candidate will have:

Knowledge of and experience using both analog (16mm) and digital film cameras, rigging solutions, professional lights, and professional audio recording equipment.
Strong project management skills
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot a wide variety of audio, visual and computer equipment.
Demonstrated ability to calmly and swiftly adapt equipment setup to accommodate last-minute changes or emergencies, recommending alternative sets and workarounds.
Ability to clearly communicate in-depth knowledge of current video technology.
Ability to research, recommend and implement equipment and software purchases.

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. In your application, please include both a resume and a cover letter. In the cover letter please describe your experience with specific analog filmmaking equipment, digital film cameras, lighting equipment, and film production related software. Please provide an example of your project management experience. Please provide an example of your experience using and troubleshooting hardware used in film production and screening including cameras, sound recording equipment, lighting, and projection.

This is a 100% FTE, continuing, exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.

CORE DUTIES:

Research, prepare and produce digital media for instruction, promotional programs, location and studio programs, live video conferences and webcasts, live-on-tape studio, and/or other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences.
Partner with clients on strategic and creative approaches to projects involving abstract or technical content to meet objectives and within time and cost constraints: articulating the production process and expectations, communicating issues, providing status updates, and suggesting appropriate methods for improvement.
Advise on all aspects of capturing, recording, and transmitting of all film and digital media productions.
Make recommendations for purchases and repairs of film and video production and post-production equipment. Create cost estimates for different equipment options. Provide stewardship of university resources.
May set up, operate and troubleshoot on a variety of equipment including but not limited to; video cameras (both analog and digital), design production and post-production workflows, video projection, video compression and mastering for distribution, video conferencing, signal distribution and switching, digital audio recording, green screen lighting and compositing, still photography, analog and digital audio recording. May train or provide guidance to other staff.
May act as liaison with vendors, develop strategies and workflows, identify competitive pricing for products and services and close projects for billings.
Support student post-production and editing including conducting film and video and post-production equipment demos. May advise and support film projects to meet the needs of the students, and maintain an archive of masters.
Track inventory, manage Web Checkout, conduct equipment check-outs and check-ins, provide maintenance and ensure equipment is in excellent condition.
Transcode student deliverables, ensure high-quality reproduction of student work during reviews, execute final screenings of student work, and maintain an archive of student work.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Advanced technical experience using digital media equipment, video creation, editing software, and/or digital media control software.
Strong knowledge in production techniques including videography, compression and file delivery and other production formats.
Broad knowledge of all aspects of professional quality productions, including field and studio lighting, sound and editing.
Understanding of online video environment and online distribution.
Demonstrated ability to perform repairs on a wide variety of audio, visual and computer equipment.
Ability to adapt equipment setups and provide alternative setups or workarounds if necessary.
Ability to manage a variety of simultaneous projects within tight deadlines, excellent organizational and time management skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, mature judgement, and diplomacy required to interact effectively and provide customer service to a broad audience.
Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative team environment.
May require experience planning, coordinating, and executing archival digitization projects.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

MFA in film, or five years of relevant experience working in film and video productions or combination of education and relevant experience
Advanced technical experience using analog (16mm) and digital video production equipment, and/or digital media control software
Mastery of Adobe Premiere CC software and Creative Suite
Knowledge of online inventory software such as WebCheckout.
Knowledge of Bolex 16mm camera and digital film cameras including Canon C70, Canon C300 Mk II, Sony F5, Sony A7s Mk II.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
Frequently stand/walk, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, and reach/work above shoulders.
Occasionally sit, twist/bend/stoop/squat.
Visual acuity including color vision.
Ability to lift heavy objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class license.

*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasionally work on weekends, evenings, holidays, and flexible shifts.
May have exposure to high voltage electricity, noise > 80dB TWA, confined spaces, and working at heights above 10 feet.

WORK STANDARDS:

When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu

The expected pay range for this position is $76,000 to $104,000 per annum

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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