Director I

Job Requirements

The Director I is responsible for the planning and line-directing live and taped Studio, Remote and REMI productions, in both conventional and automated control rooms. The Director I will be required to participate in pre- and post-production meetings, plus contribute ideas to help realize a vision for a show. The Director I will be responsible for managing personnel and facilities as they relate to the production. In addition, will work in conjunction with Coordinating Producers and Producers to provide support and guidance on content philosophy and execution, plus coordinate and disseminate show information to the production and operational units. The Director I will need to be a team builder with strong production and technical knowledge and demonstrate leadership qualities in all interactions and decisions. The Director I will be required to coach, develop and mentor Associate Directors and Stage Managers, and must provide consistent and comprehensive written feedback of their performance to Directing Management.  

Responsibilities:

• Directs live and taped productions from the control room or mobile unit; coordinates and execute all aspects of scripted and unscripted shows. 
• During Ignite/Automated productions – Directors will code rundowns; facs studio and remote guests; troubleshoot technical issues; possibly select music and coordinate liveshots in the absence of an AD.
• Provides clear, concise and orderly communication of traffic to all involved during each production.
• Troubleshoots, in real-time, operational issues that arise during assigned production.
• Oversees lighting, camera blocking, visual effects and graphics integration, and timing to ensure a quality presentation. 
• Participates in meetings with Managers and Producers to develop the concepts, editorial themes and specific narratives for productions.
• In show preparation, coordinates with Associate Director for the assigned pre-production elements and review the rundown for accuracy.
• Contributes to the planning and organizing of assigned projects. Manages personnel and facilities as they relate to assigned projects; interacts with other departments for a common goal.  
• Provides ongoing feedback to Associate Directors and Stage Managers as well as other team members, and documents in written form to Management. Written feedback should be thoughtful and comprehensive with clear, detailed examples. 
• Observes Associate Directors and Stage Manager outside of show unit to directly contribute to their development.
• Takes responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training. Participates in periodic clip review sessions with Managers and Director IIs to further develop directing skills.
• May be asked to provide written feedback for various show unit personnel, including but not limited to: Designers, VCS/OCTO ops, Editorial Graphic Producers, Producers and Coordinating Producers.
• Practices and maintains the departmental performance standards as they apply to leadership, communication, and personal development, and consistently perform all of the duties and functions required of the role. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of directing or related experience.
• In-depth knowledge and proficiency with live directing.
• In-depth knowledge and proficiency with production equipment and facilities.
• Has strong ability to think and react quickly to rapidly changing situations in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• In-depth ability to direct most assigned productions and specialty shows.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Directing at the network level.
• Bilingual language skills (Spanish/English) preferred.

Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, communications, journalism or a closely related field.

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Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $117,178 to $185,770 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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.

 

This position is with ESPN Productions, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

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ESPN Productions, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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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