Technical Director, Indiana University (IU) Cinema, Bloomington, IN

Supervisor:  Jon Vickers, Director

PRIMARY ROLE
IU Cinema is a world-class facility and program that is dedicated to the scholarly study and highest standards of exhibition of film in its traditional and modern forms. Film technicians and projectionists are the guardians of the world’s moving image heritage. It is their responsibility to protect that heritage, exhibit, when possible and to pass it on to posterity in the best possible condition and as the truest possible representation of the work of its creators.

The IU Cinema Technical Director is responsible for managing and maintaining all motion picture and audio visual (AV) systems, staffing, and technical operations of IU Cinema as a world-class facility. This includes successful recruitment, training, scheduling, and management of graduate student projectionists to perform as professionals; research and procurement of leading technologies; building strategic relationships with cinema-technology leaders; upholding the highest standards of exhibition using the best media available; and helping maintain IU Cinema’s reputation as a leading venue in the U.S. Successful world-class presentations within IU Cinema require the combined and coordinated efforts of all technical, house management, guest services, and administrative staff.

This professional position is a vital contributor to a small team and to the strategic planning for IU Cinema, providing advice and direction in all technical aspects of the events and screenings presented in the IU Cinema, as well as current and future needs. The position is also responsible for maintaining certifications of the systems and producing projection-booth maintenance reports and media inspection reports for the U.S. and international film archives that the Cinema deals with.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Below are the percentages and descriptions of each primary duty and responsibility assigned to the position, including what, how, and why work is performed. 

30%        Administrative

• Independently maintain a rigorous planning, inspection, testing, maintenance, and performance schedule required to present hundreds of screenings and events each semester on multiple celluloid, digital, and tape formats
• Coordinate with archives, studios, distributors, film industry professionals, and outside organizations on film-related matters
• Produce and archive documentation for all screenings and film prints to provide records for tracking, liability, and historical purposes
• Serve as an ambassador for IU Cinema through maintaining a professional approach at all times when dealing with campus partners, industry representatives, filmmakers, and students
• Evaluate, create, and develop safety programs and policies related to technical operations
• Work with IU faculty to develop best practices for the exhibition of IU produced content
• Address internal/external inquiries relating to IU Cinema’s technical operations
• Actively participate in IU Cinema staff meetings, production and event planning, development, and team-building events
• Lead the budgeting process for annual and long-term technical needs
• Work in partnership with IU faculty and staff, external agencies, trade union representatives, etc., when taking part in standing committees, sub groups, and focus groups, as required
• Undertake any other duties, projects, or initiatives that may be reasonably required

20%        Archival Practices, Film Print and Media Handling, and Motion Picture Projection

• Manage all moving image exhibition activities held on behalf of IU Cinema
• Present the best possible viewing experience with the media provided, paying close attention (for example) to the appropriate frame rate, framing, focus, masking, audio format and levels, and proper aspect ratio
• Inspect and prepare film print material for projection, including the logging of materials, inspection and repair; onscreen testing, and documentation of a wide variety of visual media
• Occasionally project films (including 35mm, 16mm, double head/optical/silent) and various formats and standards of video (DCI Digital Cinema, HD Cam, and other HD formats) at times outside of regular office hours
• Manage the archival audio recordings for all speaking events (introductions, Q&As, and panels)
• Carry out the general maintenance of technical equipment, order stock, and ensure the efficient running of day-to-day operations of cinema systems and inspection equipment
• Assist with the evaluation and condition of materials held in the film collections, of the IU Libraries on their suitability for projection and evaluate all received materials
• Manage the care, cleanliness, storage, and access to Dolby 3D glasses for occasional presentations
• Maintain archival conditions and FIAF Code of Ethics for all visual media in IU Cinema’s care
• Create Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) of trailers, PSAs, or other messages to communicate on IU Cinema’s screen, as needed
• Perform additional tasks related to the management, care, and exhibition of Motion Pictures that may be assigned

25%       Supervision and Training

• Recruit, train, schedule, and directly supervise graduate student (GA) assistants as projectionists for 16mm, 35mm, broadcast tape formats, DCI, and non DCI Digital Cinema presentations while always striving for world-class presentations
• Manage up to 3-4 graduate students per year who are committed to working up to (50) hours per week during the academic year
• Manage additional technical staff as needed and employed within the technical budget
• Organize, write, edit, and maintain cinema booth training materials
• Provide ongoing training and mentorship to GA Projectionists each semester
• Schedule and manage IATSE members as needed when contracted for special IU Cinema programs requiring outside equipment
• Maintain the FIAF Code of Ethics and ensure that graduate student Projectionists work within that code

10%        Management and Maintenance of Motion Picture and Advanced Audio-Visual Technologies

• Stay current of changes in best practice and technological developments to ensure that IU Cinema maintains its leading edge as a facility
• Maintain complex audio and video technologies to ensure the highest standards of video exhibition and reliability are consistently maintained
• Discern the best format to be used for audio and video presentations
• Solve complex motion picture, digital audio, and video problems (for example; signal switching, resolution, color temperature, hardware/software malfunctions, feedback, etc.) as they arise
• Oversee the professional planning and staffing of all media presentations, including technical support for classroom, public, and curricular screenings

10%        Outbound Film Print and Media Traffic and Shipping

• Prepare all visual media for outbound shipping
• Procure shipping services (i.e., FedEx, UPS, etc.) and prepare paperwork for outbound shipping of all visual media, based on return information provided by others
• Electronically archive outbound shipping records

5%          Research and Testing

• Research leading technologies and search for Beta-test opportunities with trusted manufacturers
• Perform regular testing of DCI Digital Cinema projectors and processing equipment
• Perform advanced audio system analysis to assure Cinema maintains at minimum THX standards
• Make recommendations and justifications on advanced audio and video enhancements to the system to maintain leading edge technologies

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum education: 
BA in Film, Media Studies, BS in Electronics or relatable field. Combinations of related education and experiences may be considered. Membership to the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA), Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) or International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) is desirable.

Minimum experience:

Two years required, five years preferred experience with: professional 35mm motion picture projection and film print handling, 16mm film and multimedia presentation and other various digital video formats; projection and playback equipment; operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of 35mm and 16mm projectors and audio equipment. Prefer experience in/with: administrative and supervisory capacity; DCI compliant digital cinema projectors and servers; maintaining THX certification and advanced audio analysis; and knowledge and experience with archival moving image practices.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Good practical and organizational skills with the ability to solve problems and identify and repair mechanical and programming faults
• Attention to detail, reliability, excellent time-keeping skills, punctuality, independence, motivation, and ability to multitask in a busy environment.
• Knowledge of film history, technologies, and exhibition aesthetics
• Skill in reading and composing correspondence and reports with the ability to communicate technical standards
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with archives, studios, distributors, students, staff, faculty, donors, guest filmmakers, and visitors
• Expertise in archival 35mm /16mm film projection, print inspection, and repair
• Computer skills of PC and Mac platforms (Microsoft Office required, video editing desired)
• Confidence in public speaking and excellent communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with people at all levels, including in high-pressure situations
• Enthusiastic and pleasant manner
• Ability to work flexibly within a small team, which is part of a much larger department and organization
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development
• Facilities include state-of-the-art film screening room, digital and analog video and audio systems, 35mm and 16mm motion picture projection equipment, and all other ancillary support equipment. The main system includes:

• • -(2) Kinoton FP38 E-S 35/16mm Film Projectors
  • -(2) Kinoton studio lamphouses with Strong rectifiers
  • -Multiple Schneider Cinelux Premiere lenses
  • -Kelmar RTV-8900A- Rewind Table
  • -Dolby CP 650D Digital Cinema Processor
  • -DTS DTS-XD20 5.1 DTS Digital Audio Player
  • -Barco DP2K-32B DCI – 2K Digital Cinema Projector
  • -Dolby Cat. 960-BAR 3D upgrade kit
  • -Dolby DSS200 Screen DCinema Server
  • -Sony SRX-T420 4K Digital Video Projector
  • -Panasonic AJ-HD3700B D5 Digital VTR
  • -Panasonic AJ-HD1400 DVCPRO Digital VTR
  • -Sony SRW5500 HDCAM SR VTR
  • -Crestron 2-Series Audio/Visual Control System

LEVEL OF DECISION MAKING
The Technical Director is senior position with the latitude to make operational and procedural decisions within the mission and broadly defined parameters for the technical operations of IU Cinema, which directly influence public perception of IU Cinema and the Indiana University. The position is responsible for the creation of cinema booth policies, procedures and work instructions, as well as routine and preventative maintenance practices dealing with all technical aspects of the Cinema, requiring considerable ability to solve complex problems dealing with mechanical, analog and digital audio and video components and/or computer hardware and software – dealing directly with manufacturers and consultants and often in high-pressure, stressful situations. The Technical Director has fiscal responsibility to manage resources and technical budget in order to maintain public presentation schedule and budget.

SCOPE AND IMPACT
This is a senior position with a complex set of duties that affect all areas of Cinema operations. IU Cinema is a highly visible unit for Indiana University, servicing more than 40,000 guests from the local and regional community for hundreds of public presentations each year.  As a world-class facility and program, the reputation for presenting the highest standards of exhibition depend upon the superior training and performance of the graduate student projectionists as supervised by the Technical Director. Although, much of the position’s work takes place behind-the-scenes, the Technical Director position is a highly visible position, and the scope of influence extends to faculty, staff, and students at IU, researchers, scholars, filmmakers, film industry leaders, and programming partners internationally, alumni, donors and government agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Must have the ability to lift at least 35 lbs. overhead and retrieve items from shelves using ladders
• Must have good eye-sight and hearing for achieving the best in image and sound projection quality
• Must be capable of working alone

IU SALARY RANGE BY JOB CLASS

PAE 3AD

Administrative Services (AD)

Bloomington/Indy Campus