Manager, Film Post Production

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Reporting to the Assistant Director of Post Production Facilities, the Film Post Production Manager is responsible for the overall operation and strategic direction of the Digital Film Lab (DFL). This role ensures a seamless integration of traditional and modern filmmaking technologies, providing students and staff with a comprehensive post-production experience. By maintaining technical resources, optimizing workflows, and fostering innovation, the manager enhances the learning environment and supports the department’s commitment to excellence in film education.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Oversee daily operations, staffing, and maintenance of film facilities, including equipment checkout. Serve as the primary point of contact for students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for flatbed editors, Moviola/Magnasync mag dubbers, interlock projection and mixing systems, upright Moviola viewers, 16mm projectors, optical printers, and animation and title stands. Develop preventive measures and training materials to ensure safe and efficient equipment use.
• Facilitate final screenings for film-based classes using analog picture and sound playback equipment.
• Transfer film to video using various machinery and software, ensuring proper timing of transfers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair technical resources, coordinating with technicians and vendors for timely servicing.
• Develop user guides, video tutorials, and templates to streamline workflows and best practices for lab software and hardware.
• Partner with the Assistant Director, Post Managers, and relevant departments to develop and implement a progressive vision for facilities, workflows, and policies that enhance student resources and departmental success.
• Utilize web-based tools to schedule, track, and coordinate facility usage and equipment checkout, including room assignments and setup requirements.
• Monitor consumable usage and inventory levels, procure supplies from vendors as needed, and collaborate with the Tech Division Inventory Group to track usage trends and inform data-driven decisions.
• Contribute to the annual budget planning process by recommending expenditures for facility upgrades, innovation, and enhanced student and faculty resources.
• Engage with the Emerson community by supporting student showcases, departmental events, and career development initiatives.
• Hire, train, schedule, and manage a team of student employees, providing training materials, conducting evaluations, and fostering their professional growth while ensuring smooth lab operations.
• Stay informed on industry trends and research to propose tools that align with current needs, enhance resources, and support long-term curriculum goals, incorporating stakeholder feedback to maintain competitiveness.
• Work with endpoint administrators to deploy and test software packages for labs based on faculty requests and updated requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., visual arts, media production) or equivalent experience overseeing post-production facilities, preferably in a higher education environment.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing post-production workflows, facilities, or instructional environments.
• Expertise in 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm film production and post-production, including editing, projection, analog special effects, animation, and title production, is required.
• Proficiency with ARRI SR2 cameras, Aaton XTR-Prods, and Bolex H-16 reflex models.
• Experience in creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) and conducting quality assurance for screenings is required.
• Experience designing, integrating, and maintaining post-production environments, including studios, television stations, and broadcast facilities, is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• Strong knowledge of production and post-production workflows, editing techniques, and industry standards.
• Skilled in assessing student employee capabilities and delegating tasks to enhance learning and meet project objectives.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve, Pro Tools, Final