Interim Associate Head of Physical Production

Overview

The Production Administration Team (PAT) at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) – School of Film and Television (SFTV), a top-ranked film school. It supports student productions and serves over 1200 students in Film Production, Screenwriting, Recording Arts, Animation, and Film Studies. The students in Film Production (approximately 350 undergraduates and 150 graduate students) produce around 800 films per year. Each project is overseen by a staff member in PAT. Projects are monitored for adherence to rules, policies, and procedures codified in the SFTV Handbook, and most importantly, for the highest level of workplace safety.

PAT provides services and maintains available facilities and equipment in 5 buildings across two campuses, including sound stages, scene and prop shop, professional cinema-quality camera packages, grip/electric equipment, and production sound equipment for both project and classroom use. For a more complete list of equipment and facilities, please see the SFTV website.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Head of Production, the Interim Associate Head of Physical Production will provide experienced administrative support for the School of Film and Television’s productions. The responsibilities include support, oversight and coordination of a high volume of student film productions.

The Interim Associate Head of Physical Production is part of the administration team and has a critical role in supporting all student film and media projects across all formats at one of the nation’s top film schools. This position serves as a key liaison between students, faculty, and university departments to ensure productions are executed safely, responsibly, and in alignment with academic and institutional guidelines.

The Interim Associate Head of Physical Production provides expert guidance to students throughout the production lifecycle from initial concept approval through final wrap, providing advisement on best practices, technical planning, safety protocols, and resource use. This includes reviewing compliance with internal protocols, production proposals, verifying compliance with university policies, risk management and insurance requirements, ensuring that all necessary documentation (e.g., permits, staffing requirements, safety measures) is in place, and conducting oversight activities such as unannounced set visits and post-production reviews.

The ideal candidate brings a collaborative mindset, a deep understanding of professional production standards, and a commitment to fostering a safe, educational, and creatively empowering environment for emerging filmmakers.

Position Specific Accountabilities 

• Oversee and assist with student project approvals and oversight.
• Hold or participate in approval meetings (production green light).  As required, independently conduct project approval of any level student film.
• Oversee/approve all “intermediate” (junior thesis) level student films.
• Verify productions meet requirements (call, sheets, crewing, permits, risk management approval etc.) ahead of filming approval.
• Ensure implementation of production safety guidelines on student productions.
• Perform set visits,  some requiring weekend work during production periods (~10 weeks/semester).
• Oversee or assist in oversight of:
  • Junior administrative staff
  • Senior Specialist staff
  • Student workers
  • Student Production Office
• Facilitate any work with ond requests to or from other LMU deaprtments and collages including:
  • Repair/remodel/maintenance projects with Facilities Management
  • Space/location/event booking with Conferences and Events
  • Hardware and software needs and staff authorizations and onboarding with Information Technology Services
  • Access/Security needs with Campus Safety
  • Financial processes with Finance Department
  • Recruiting and personnel management with Human Resources
  • Public facing events and publicity needs with Marketing & Communications.
  • Events and other requests with the Deans Office
• Review and verify DPRs, equipment returns and other wrap documentation.
• Foster students’ understanding of and adherence to industry standards.
• Advise students on best practices, procedures and methods as well as on finding production solutions for the projects.
• Coordinate, schedule, and follow up on student production activity.
• Assist students and faculty in permitting