Sr Manager, Photography – Post Production

The Sr. Manager, Photography – Post Production is responsible for overseeing high quality still photography and post-production to create marketing and publicity collateral for our specialty film projects. As a member of the publicity team, this person will work hand-in-hand with the marketing and creative groups to deliver best-in-class photography in the most cost-effective, efficient and timely manner, planning all logistics from start to finish. We are looking for a smart, highly organized, detail-oriented team player with a strong creative sensibility, who embraces a fast paced and dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and produce unit photography and special shoots for advertising, marketing, publicity and brand campaigns
• Work with filmmakers during pre-production to suggest and hire unit photographers, then negotiate deals with their top choices
• Communicate regularly with hired unit photographers and unit publicists to ensure maximum coverage during production
• Partner with marketing and publicity teams to ensure consistent messaging across formats and media outlets
• Collaborate with all other internal groups to manage project work under tight deadlines
• Develop working relationships with talent and talent reps (agents, managers and publicists)
• Maintain relationships with prominent photographers around the world, making a concerted effort to hire highly qualified, diverse candidates
• Coordinate and manage logistics with studios location scouts, etc.
• Represent the studio in negotiations with vendors (e.g., photographers, set designers, caterers, hair, makeup, wardrobe, etc.)
• Manage editing and retouching of images
• Manage and edit unit coverage, including reading scripts to determine shoot days
• Manage photography for assigned events
• Facilitate transfers of pre-release photos from set to photo lab, and work with the photo lab to ingest images and accurately tag for talent review
• Organize and execute special photography shoots on sets during production. Liaise with multiple key players (casts, department heads, directors, producers, executives, etc.) to ensure the shoots are successful
• Work with department heads on any given project to acquire concept art, sketches, and renderings to be used for awards consideration
• Communicate with talent and their representatives regarding scheduling, creative concepts, and approvals, ensuring all parties are strategically aligned and satisfied
• Capture screen shots, as needed
• Ensure compliance with Disney’s Content Security protocols to maintain the integrity and safety of pre-release content
• Travel both domestically and internationally for festivals, premieres, set visits, and content days
• Coordinate photographer contracts with Legal.
• Manage Airtable databases and track photo requests and approvals.
• Produce calendars, schedules, call sheets, and event materials
• Track vendors and internal users reviewing imagery.
• Process invoices
• Obtain key set approval and work with publicity team to service and track all exclusive photo requests
• Manage studio press site
• Oversee the recruitment and implementation of press days, premiere press lines, and press conferences
• Cover talent relations in various capacities such as at press days and junkets, premieres, screening Q&As, interviews, and award shows
• Collaborate interdepartmentally to ensure film campaign goals are achieved
• Work closely with the publicity team and the digital team on partnerships and publicity campaigns
• Develop and maintain close and communicative relationships with press, executives, talent, and reps
• Manage below-the-line vendors for all photo shoots and event photography
• Liaise with specialty agencies for specific projects
• Participate in brainstorming meetings
• Identify and develop publicity opportunities
• Think creatively and outside of the box on publicity campaigns.
• Oversee the maintenance of the master vendor list

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Photography, Graphic Design, Art, Project Management, Creative Producing, Communications or related field of study, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in still photography, preferably in film marketing and publicity.
• Problem solves to find creative solutions and has a strong visual point of view and eye for elevating photographs.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong relationships in the photography industry.
• Technical Skills in Photo and Video Editing, i.e. proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, and Premiere Pro for retouching, clip pulling, and content editing, with the ability to work on assets independently or coordinate with vendors as required.
• Understanding of file types and delivery specifications to ensure smooth asset management and distribution.
• Ability to give clear creative direction and communicate retouching, color correction, composite, and editing notes.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience creating and managing strict budgets
• Experience working within a studio setting, with a solid understanding of the nuances of talent representation and approvals, especially for high-profile talent.
• Prior exposure to production environments is highly desirable.
• Effective at taking direction from and collaborating with filmmakers, talent representatives, marketing team members, and consultants. Flexible and solution oriented.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $113,800 to $152,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About Searchlight Pictures:

Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and the films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Studios.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Searchlight Pictures, Inc. , which is part of a business we call Searchlight Pictures .

Searchlight Pictures, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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