Virtual Production Producer

How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations.

What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Virtual Production Producer to develop compelling multimedia content in support of online and residential educational experiences. This position will operate a virtual production XR stage, maintain the facility and equipment, and oversee media productions. Additionally, the Virtual Production Producer will work with world-class faculty at the University of Michigan to collaboratively design and create media content in support of new digital learning initiatives. This position will report to the Senior Director, XR, Media Design and Production, and will work closely with other members of the XR, Media Design and Production team as well as other teams within the Center for Academic Innovation. Ideal candidates have a passion for online education and thrive working with a diverse team of artists and academics.

About the Center for Academic Innovation

The Center for Academic Innovation is where creativity, excellence, and the University of Michigan’s aspirations for societal impact combine to reimagine the future of higher education. Through curricular innovation, educational data and research, and educational technology, we position U-M as a global leader in academic innovation to create and inspire change in higher education and to reinforce an engaged and informed society.

About the XR, Media Design & Production Team

The XR team works directly with faculty innovators to conceive and build extended reality experiences that transform and enhance education while also focusing on how this groundbreaking technology can be utilized by all learners and available at scale. The Media Design and Production team helps online learning experiences come alive for millions of learners around the world. Together these teams work to create advanced media to create the next generation of content. With the addition of the new XR studio, these teams will collaborate more closely to create state of the art animations, mixed reality, and virtual production experiences.

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation

Who We Are

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member’s unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities*

• Schedule and supervise virtual production filming
• Set up and operate equipment on a virtual production stage, including but not limited to: LED walls, real-time render notes, tracking systems, lighting control, cameras, microphones, teleprompters, and other related audio/video equipment
• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the virtual stage, including debugging hardware and software, maintaining equipment, and providing technical guidance to colleagues on complex issues
• Work with CAI colleagues and partners to develop critical processes, workflows, and training materials related for an audience of media technologists, media designers, extended reality developers, project managers, faculty, and other collaborators
• Consult on the design of virtual production projects with faculty, learning experience designers, media designers, design managers, and other stakeholders
• Serve as a digital image technician who works in collaboration with cinematographers on camera settings, signal integrity, and image manipulation to achieve the highest image quality and creative goals of the project
• Design methods to create advanced media to support the next generation of educational content
• Write and edit scripts for video content as needed, either individually or as a member of a team
• Provide appropriate coaching and support for presenters during lecture recording sessions
• Organize and archive project files in a way that is easily discoverable and could be recovered for future productions
• Contribute to content quality control evaluation and oversight
• Assist with additional video-related work and responsibilities as needed
• Contribute to creating a positive, inclusive, and equitable work environment

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Broadcasting, Filmmaking, Motion Graphics
• 3 years of relevant experience in digital media production, broadcasting, or closely related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles, practices, techniques, technology and standards of videography and audio production and production pipelines
• Experience operating production equipment, post-production equipment, and production software. 
• Ability to troubleshoot technical and logistical issues. 
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • LED wall virtual production shoots, green screens, and chroma key technologies
  • Live camera tracking, data recording, virtual cameras, or in-camera visual effects
  • 3D environments or virtual and augmented reality technologies
  • Real-time engines and new-age virtual production film techniques.
  • Real-time content and rendering solutions (Unreal Engine 4+, Unity).
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to create solutions that meet stakeholder and organization’s needs. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within deadlines and competing priorities with strong attention to detail. 
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and decision making abilities.
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Ability to work well in a diverse and collaborative environment. 

• Experience producing videos with non-linear editing systems and designing digital video effects. 
• Experience with graphic design software applications. 
• Advanced photographic knowledge and experience. 

Additional Information

Please Note:  This is a 3 year term limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

This is not a remote position and any adjustments to a standard in-person schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.

Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

The salary for this position will be based upon the selected candidate’s education and experience.

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

The general salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include experience, knowledge and skills for the position and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.