Roto is seeking a versatile Media Producer to join its team of designers, architects, engineers and builders to collaborate on a wide range of public visitor experiences in museums, aquariums, zoos, brand destinations and attractions. The position is envisioned as a project-specific full-time contract role for the first 6 months, with a subsequent long-term contract or employment to follow if successful. Relocation is not required, though travel to Roto and/or client sites are possible.
The Media Producer acts as a hub for most of the company’s linear media requirements, taking on multiple individual “media projects” within Roto’s larger exhibition or attraction projects. These larger projects might be a new history exhibit for a Smithsonian museum, a remodeled attraction at Kennedy Space Center, or new building expansion at popular aquarium, and the “media projects” within them could be just about anything. If you have an interest in creative documentaries, short films, animation, history and science, applied to these public venues, this job may be for you.
Many media projects are relatively small-scale, such as sourcing footage and supervising the edit for a 4-minute nature video on butterfly metamorphosis. Others are more traditional media projects with distinct development, production, and post-production phases involving a full range of collaborators. Unlike a film or podcast, however, media applications for exhibitions and attractions usually involve some additional dimensionality, such as multi-screen presentations, projection mapping, scored narration for walkthrough environments, etc. and are permanent features with long-term runs.
This position is focused on the development and production of “linear media” content for Roto projects, not interactive media or software, which occurs elsewhere within the company. However, quite often an interactive media application requires produced linear media segments, such as edited video clips, animations, interviews, etc. This position acts as the source for those requirements.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Produce media content for a wide diversity of exhibit applications, including full-featured documentary shorts, explainer-style content videos, edited interviews, background and b-roll footage, custom illustration and animations sequences, voice-over tracks, audio scores and sound effects, and various special-application needs.
Collaborate with Roto designers to creatively develop media projects from conceptual stages through pre-production and produce or manage any required documentation (e.g. lists, outlines, treatments, scripts, storyboards).
Source existing media (video, motion graphics, still photography, audio, archival) for select projects and secure appropriate licensing.
Develop budgets and media production plans consistent with overall project resources, timelines and objectives, in collaboration with the overall Roto project manager and Principal in charge.
Source and recruit applicable creatives as appropriate for each assignment, balancing quality, availability and schedule with cost; help Roto build its existing network of specialist freelance collaborators.
Supervise production and provide hands-on creative and technical contributions where capable to maximize quality, economy, and expediency for Roto clients, e.g. direct interview subjects, run small shoots, capture great material with a small team and a tight budget.
Edit and/or supervise editing and other post-production work as required to coordinate with exhibit and attraction specifications, audio-visual equipment, and other infrastructure.
Where applicable, participate directly in client meetings with other Roto colleagues to pitch ideas, develop content, facilitate feedback, and obtain sign-off.
Assign assistant production tasks as applicable to in-house Roto exhibit staff, who can provide additional support functions under direction.
Serve as an active, engaged member of one or more Roto studios to develop and refine internal working methods and efficient collaborative processes.
Perform other duties to support Roto media projects, as assigned by the project Principal in Charge.
ABOUT YOU
You’re incorrigibly curious about the world and everything in it.
You have a passion for telling true stories in highly accessible and interesting ways.
You’re a great organizer and collaborator, able to make other people’s ideas work.
You have demonstrated research skills and proven track record telling documentary-style stories.
You possess an existing or growing network of freelance creatives including writers, shooters, editors, animators and sound designers eager to work regularly on future Roto projects.
You have museum/exhibit experience or can demonstrate the ability to translate the film/TV/podcast/online medium to a wide variety of custom physical spaces and configurations.
You’re able to meet deadlines and work quickly and efficiently, often on time-sensitive projects.
You work well independently but also recognize the importance of editorial feedback and coordination with colleagues in the wider project.
You’re flexible and adaptable. Exhibit/attraction media can change quickly, and we need solution-oriented problem solvers to help move our projects forward.
You don’t mind gig work, but you’re looking to forge a continuing relationship with a single company, either on a long-term full-time contract or as an employee. You don’t see Roto as your client, but as your company, and your ultimate clients are Roto’s clients.
PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
You have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in a related media production environment.
You can edit (Premiere Pro is preferred). Your experience in other Creative Cloud apps are a definite plus (Au, Id, Ai, Ps).
You’re creatively and technically versatile and can fill-in personally where needed to meet a deadline or fit a budget (e.g. write, shoot, interview, storyboard, etc.).
You’re adept at highly effective distance communication, including email, phone, live zoom/skype, and collaborative file sharing platforms (e.g. Dropbox).
Compensation is commensurate with experience.