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2024 NOFF Production Assistant

New Orleans Film Society

Posted 08/27/24

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1215 Prytania st. Suite 423, New Orleans, LA, 70130

Inactive
Temporary
Experienced
Arts / Entertainment / Film
In Person

Job Description

New Orleans Film Society

2024 NOFF Production Assistant

(Temporary Employee) 


MISSION:

The New Orleans Film Society is a 501(c) (3) arts non-profit organization whose mission is to discover, cultivate, and amplify diverse voices of filmmakers who tell the stories of our time. We produce the Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival annually and invest year-round in building a vibrant film culture in the South to share transformative cinematic experiences with audiences, and connect dynamic filmmakers to career-advancing resources.


VALUES STATEMENT:

  • Start with the art and allow artistic vision, equity, and social impact to guide our search for resources.
  • Champion filmmakers who have been historically denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry–– including Southern artists, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.
  • Seek deep audience engagement.
  • Build a working environment that is fair and fulfilling.
  • Exhibit dedication and passion and believe that inspired and impactful programs arise from collaboration and mutual respect.


POSITION OVERVIEW:

The New Orleans Film Society is seeking a crew of Production Assistants to deliver, build, and restore production equipment in order to create visually-captivating Film Festival events across the city of New Orleans (like film screenings, panels, industry events, receptions, and lounges). Ideal candidates have the ability to complete labor-intensive tasks as assigned and experience (or interest) in live events, film sets, or backstage environments. Some Production Assistants may be assigned to drive Festival vehicles. Production Assistants report directly to the Production Manager but actively collaborate with all Festival departments.


TIMELINE:

Candidates must be fully available October 14-25, 2024 (Festival production dates) plus:

  • Occasional availability October 1-13 (pre-production and training)
  • Occasional availability October 26-30 (wrap)


PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

  • Pre-production tasks, including:
    • Preparing equipment and supply storage (1215 Prytania Street)
    • Organizing equipment and supplies for dispatch
    • Delivering, loading in, building, breaking down, and loading out equipment and supplies at screening and event venues
    • Attending meetings and training as assigned
  • Festival execution, including:
    • Dispatching production needs from NOFF office (1215 Prytania Street)
    • Executing the packing, delivery, moving, and return of equipment and supplies, including tech gear, marketing collateral, signage, consumables
    • Assisting Venue Managers, Technicians, and Events staff as assigned
    • Providing regular updates to Production Coordinator via digital tools
  • Post-production restoration, including:
    • Returning equipment and supplies to storage and organizing as assigned
    • Preparing rental equipment for timely return
    • Transitioning storage to year-round set-up
  • Staff collaboration, including:
    • Utilizing NOFS tools and applications, like AirTable and Slack, for effective staff communication
    • Collaborating seamlessly with volunteers and other NOFF staff
    • Cooperating with Tech staff to ensure equipment is safe and functional
    • Working closely with the Production Manager to facilitate a seamless Festival experience, including providing feedback for future events


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE + QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Alignment to the organization’s stated mission and values
  • Excellent and consistent communication skills, both in person and on digital platforms
  • Strong organizational abilities
  • Interest in gaining live event, film set, or backstage experience
  • Availability to work nights, weekends, and long days during scheduled Festival events
  • Ability to work collaboratively in person and digitally, disseminating information frequently (verbally and in writing)
  • Ability to stand and move for prolonged periods; load, lift, and carry items up to 40 pounds (accommodations available)
  • Reliable transportation to and from office and Festival venues


PREFERRED EXPERIENCE + QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Lived experience as a professional who has been historically denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry - including Southern artists, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities
  • Experience in teamwork environments
  • Rigging, lighting, fabrication, or similar technical skills
  • Recent CPR/AED/First Aid certifications
  • Valid Driver's License, clear driving record, and ability to drive Festival vehicles, including oversized cargo vans and box trucks, if assigned (not all positions require driving)


BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:

This position is temporary and non-exempt, and the hourly compensation is $18.00 per hour. Temporary staff members are eligible to receive the following benefits: 

  • Paid sick time and holidays; 
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Meal stipend for select Festival days
  • All Access Pass to the New Orleans Film Festival (for a guest)
  • 1 Year Membership to New Orleans Film Society

The New Orleans Film Society reserves the right to change the listed benefits at any moment, with advance notification to employees.


LOCATION:

This position works in-person and dispatches from the NOFF office (1215 Prytania Street) to venues around New Orleans. Training may be both remote or in the office. The candidate should live in the New Orleans metro area or be willing to travel to start the position. The New Orleans Film Society is not able to offer a travel stipend at this time. 


APPLYING:

Please submit your application via this link. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or inquiries from recruiters will be accepted. Please do not email any staff member individually. 


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

New Orleans Film Society fosters a creative and professional environment that reflects the diversity of New Orleans. We actively recruit a wide pool of applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender, or political affiliation.


ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATION: 

We encourage people with disabilities to consider applying for opportunities within the New Orleans Film Society. Our application process requires submitting written documentation for review,  and if invited to the interviewing stage, promptly self-schedule through the provided email link and conduct phone/video calls and/or in-person meetings with final candidates. If you require an alternative application or interviewing process, we will make reasonable accommodations to received requests. Please email us at jobs@neworleansfilmsociety.org or call us at 504-309-6633.



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About New Orleans Film Society

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The New Orleans Film Society discovers, cultivates, and amplifies diverse voices of filmmakers who tell the stories of our time. We produce the Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival annually and invest year-round in building a vibrant film culture in the South to share transformative cinematic experiences with audiences, and connect dynamic filmmakers to career-advancing resources.

NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL

New Orleans shines ever brighter as an epicenter of culture and creativity during the New Orleans Film Festival, with 500+ filmmakers from every corner of the world in attendance at 220+ films. We see our greatest impact in the exchange of ideas that occurs when over 35,000 people gather over the course of 8 days to champion film in New Orleans and engage with visionary films, directors, and other film lovers. NOFF is one of the few film festivals that is Oscar®-qualifying in all three Academy-accredited categories.

DIVERSITY + DISCOVERY

We honor three vital commitments to filmmakers and to audiences hungry for fresh work with perspectives less often represented on the silver screen:

90% of the films in the festival will come from submissions, ensuring New Orleans Film Festival is a place of discovery where all voices have an opportunity to be heard

50% or more of the films will be helmed by women and gender non-conforming filmmakers

55% or more will be helmed by filmmakers of color

COMMUNITY + CONNECTIVITY

New Orleans’ unique sense of place informs the festival experience– filmmakers, industry players, and cinephiles experience films and events at pop-up and passionately preserved historic venues, and rub elbows in Hollywood South amidst the strong undercurrent of revelry native to the Crescent City. From the Second Line parade following the opening night film to late-night cocktails, live music in historic mansions, and cinematic Mississippi River views, we hope all leave inspired, with an enduring story to tell and deeper connections to each other and to the art of film.

We believe inspiration isn’t exclusive; New Orleans Film Society works with over 50 partnering non-profit organizations to distribute free tickets and promote free screenings to ensure more New Orleanians of all ages access transformative films during the festival.

SUPPORT FOR FILMMAKERS

New Orleans Film Society cultivates the voices of Southern filmmakers through Emerging Voices, a nationally recognized mentorship program for filmmakers of color, and other initiatives such as Southern Producers Lab, and the annual South Pitch competition during the New Orleans Film Festival. Filmmakers from beyond our region also benefit from the Film Society’s professional development panels and roundtables and facilitated networking events, such as the Industry Exchange.

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL + OTHER YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING

Beyond the New Orleans Film Festival, the New Orleans Film Society works to build a vibrant film culture in the South by producing a mix of public and members-only year-round events to engage film lovers through regular screenings and events, attracting thousands to high-quality films at partnering New Orleans venues.

Particularly beloved by local audiences is the week-long French Film Festival, celebrating the confluence of French culture in New Orleans and offering Francophiles and Francophones rare access to a showcase of classic and contemporary French-language Cinema.