Digital Production Manager jobs in the United States

Are you passionate and greatly interested in the film industry?! Do you have experience in operating AV equipment and are comfortable with operating and troubleshooting technology?! Also, if you can commit to and live with the following principles, then you are the type of person who will be successful and help our company thrive. If you feel this level of engagement is not right for you or that you’re not willing or able to participate with us at this level, we are not a good fit for you.

Our expectation is that you will take the steps necessary to do what you say you are going to do and be accountable for your actions. In other words, live “Above Yourself.”

We understand that not every person is ready for this level of performance, and we appreciate the honesty of those who decide this is not the right place for them. On the other hand, you would make an ideal candidate to join our company if you are willing to commit to the following Above Yourself principles:

Accountability: See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It. Become part of the solution
Respect for others and their feelings
Act now!

Ask the question: “What else can I do?”
Ask the questions: “What coaching do you have for me?” and “What can I do better?”
Personal ownership and pride
Reject average
Show others that you care.

Please be honest if you think you would be fit for this sort of culture. If you said YES to the above, you may be who we are looking for! 

ABOUT SCARAB DIGITAL

Are you ready for science fiction, time travel, rom-coms, or cop and spy investigations?  Scarab Digital is a fun and driven creative studio that makes awesome interactive motion graphics and provides equipment rental services for the film and television industry.  For over 20 years, our Vancouver-based team has been collaborating with our clients to transform their creative vision into reality.

We are currently looking for an experienced FILM PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGER to join our team! 

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

You are ultimately responsible for the team that reports to you, as well as their health and safety. You will be responsible for relaying current information regarding the script updates to crew team members as it relates to day-to-day production.  Your primary goal is to be on top of your game, making certain the production (client) needs are taken care of  efficiently in a cost effective manner with maximum production value as well as relate all informational changes to the crew, the artists, and Rental Department as quickly, concisely, and accurately as possible.    

Your job is an information conduit, the role is not a techie with a cable and a phone.  Though you must be comfortable dealing with technology, with a strong understanding of what can go wrong with both hardware and software. It is far too easy to fall back on solving the tech issues on set and miss an important update that you had received and not passed along.  That said, if you have a professional A/V background, you would be an asset. You have a trained team - you will ensure all your team are working effectively and are at the top of their game.  Your time will be taken up with meetings, breakdowns, budgets, and team management - you are working days if not weeks in advance of the shoot - try to remain focused on the present - predict the future and forgive the past. You will be working In Office to start and eventually move toward Hybrid and possibly Remote. Timeline would depend on training, competency, and the project(s) involvement.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES 

PREPARATION SUPPORT

• Create script breakdown tracking all related potential Playback related item using Scriptation following standard notation systems  
• Track all script revisions – annotate script with Scriptation noting all updated Playback related changes – update breakdown, update budget 
• Distribute annotated scripts to Playback Supervisor, Content Producer, Technical Graphics Coordinator 
• Maintain communication of hurdles with Playback Supervisor
• Create budget for labour, equipment, VFX switcher, creative, and post creative needs using budget templates 
• Update breakdown and budget with script and meeting changes
• Manage and track project costs according to budget and purchase orders and anticipate cost overruns
• Attend concept, playback, production meetings to further aid breakdowns & budgets 
• Attend Art & VFX meetings as needed  
• Attend inserts meetings & build separate budgets for pick-up/2nd unit days 
• Track, manage, maintain quality control of all approved distributed Playback files related to all scenes that match expected deliverables as discussed in Playback Meetings 
• Maintain consistent communication and expectations of distributed files with Operators as discussed in Playback Meetings 
• Handle and maintain consistent and updated communication with Operators, both scheduled and unscheduled - daily/weekly meetings, changes to builds, plays or scheduled etc.  
• Attend Tech Surveys of locations and stage, get the specifications for equipment and new rigs required  
• Budget for and manage equipment preparation and delivery needs for each production by liaising with Rental Manager, other rental groups and Operators as needed 
• Create and amend as needed for review and approval the budgets for each episode or production 

EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

• Organize equipment pickups & rentals with rental house (Scarab or sub-rental)  
• Arrange for transport department to pick up large loads from rental house  
• Facilitate pickup & return equipment for Operators 
• Maintain high quality of responsibility of equipment so as to return items in the same condition of operation from which it was received
• Troubleshoot equipment & software problems  
• Test equipment & builds for future play  

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

• Walk through loaded playback files relative to each scene 
• Manage Operators as they prep location & stage sets  
• Determine and manage scheduling of equipment and Operators needed on set for specific days of each production 
• Ensure all graphics created by Designers meets Production needs by being the bridge between the Creative Department and the set and Producer/ Writer/ Directors
• Get creative build approvals from director, showrunner, producer (remotely or in person) 
• Review dailies for operator feedback on their work 
• Train Operators on new equipment & software

ROLE REQUIREMENTS 

• Very comfortable in managing, leading, and directing teams
• Strong understanding and adept at technology, computer & video hardware and software
• Extreme attention to detail 
• Excellent communication skills - Able to communicate articulately, precisely, and effectively 
• Extensive ability to time-manage, multitask, and prioritize  
• Available to work production hours (8-12 hours on average)
• Great interests and enthusiasm towards the film industry 
• Strong ability to work confidently on own and in team setting 
• Outstanding ability to adapt to changes, stress, and tight timelines 
• Comfortable in cross selling services and maintain high level of customer service 
• Very open to engage in additional development or skill training