VFX Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for the supervision of all processes, procedures, outputs and deliverables for the project and/or projects and ensuring that the outputs and interactions of craft groups are aligned with production.

Responsibilities

Schedules
• Building and maintaining project schedules for the production coordinators to work with and report to.
• Supporting/working with the VFX producer to create master, and delivery schedules for the production.
• Keeps an overview of project’s progress, and facilitate smooth running back and forth between the various Departments.

Reporting & Tracking
• Developing processes and procedures for Production Coordinators to report on artist / shot progress, on a daily basis
• Maintenance and initiation of various task tracking reports and/or documentation Communication of department targets in line with delivery schedule.
• Forecasting and communicating delays and shortfalls.
• Escalating any issues where required

Database Management
• Oversee the configuration and development of Shotgun for use on the project
• Ensure the database is maintained with up to date information

Dailies & Review
• Overseeing the coordination of dailies and reviews, ensuring accurate notes are taken and all action points are distributed, understood, acted upon and followed through.

Artist Management
• Liaison with HR/VFX Producer to administer crew performance reviews with relevant creative supervisors and to communicate issues as they arise and/or are observed.
• Initiating crew recruitment
• Work with Supervisors and Leads to motivate artists and maintain crew morale.
• Work with Department Supervisors to assist in mentoring for all new hires.

Production Crew Management
• Mentoring and managing Production Coordinators and Assistants.
• Administering production performance reviews where relevant and communicating any issues
• Help foster good working relationships with all production staff at DRD at all levels.

Meetings and Agendas
• Organise crew and production meetings, and manage the important information that comes out of them (including working through any problems with schedule or personnel)

Communication
• Provide schedule and priority updates to R&D and IT, particularly during development and pipeline building phase.
• Liaising with Film Production and vendors.
• Liaising with other Dr D Projects and their Production Managers to provide updates and resolve any issues.
• Accurate, timely, thoughtful and clear communication between Production and relevant Supervisors and Artists

• A minimum of 5 years experience working in a production team within a VFX or animation production with experience Production Managing at least one feature film VFX project.
• Technical knowledge/experience of VFX pipelines, film formats, digital media and film techniques
• Excellent scheduling skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, and strong experience of database software and tracking
• Demonstrated ability to work with and manage teams
• Experience managing production staff
• Sincere enthusiasm for facilitating the work of artists in high pressure environments
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and problem solve with an overview of the production and in the context of the ‘big picture’
• Strong administrative skills
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills and the ability to connect with a wide variety of personalities
• An ability to remain focused on the big picture without losing track of the details
• Positive, pro-active attitude