VP Production

MSG is looking for a VP of Production to setup a new Production Office and manage production at an end to end scale from capture through post for the newly created MSG Sphere Studios in Burbank. As the creative content shop for the MSG Sphere projects, we strive for the best content creation, delivering content that has never been witnessed before on displays that have never been seen in this scale. The Vice President of Production is responsible for ensuring that all productions commissioned by MSG are fully supported both creatively, operationally, and financially. This senior management role covers all production within the studio; including attractions, immersive shows, residencies, and corporate events to name a few.

Reporting to the SVP Production and working closely with the heads of Creative Development, Capture and Post/Pipeline, the candidate must demonstrate, real world production leadership experience. The ideal candidate has a unique blend of live action feature film, large format, high end music videos, immersive theatrical experiences, VFX, and digital media production with a proven track record of managing successful production & post production necessary to complete the visual and technically complex content for Sphere. This role requires a deep understanding of digital and post-production processes, including plate reconstruction, VFX and playback systems. The ideal candidate will be well versed in large format, VR, cinema, and/or super high-resolution production.

They will be responsible for the build out of production operations and production management processes of the studio to serve the creative production needs for Sphere productions. They will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day production management of multiple shows produced both internally (and externally), including reporting and managing casting to final show mastering. This is a role for a super organized Producer’s Producer!

Specific Functions/Activities Summary

Oversee production from greenlight to post-production mastering including production scope, schedules, estimates, and technical needs for MSG Sphere content creation
Establish and lead the production office including producing, line producing, post producing, production management, resource management, budgeting and scheduling.
The right candidate will have exceptional producing experience and will both lead a team and produce
On board Eps, Line Producers, Directors, other talent
Set up production office
Budgeting
Permitting
Casting and Crewing
Payroll and Accounting – reconciliation
Location scouting
Pre, Shoot, Post-production management.
Act as a key executive in the Exploration and Learning stages of MSG Sphere.
Assign crew, project staffing needs and stay ahead of recruiting and training needs to keep work moving
Develop a training plan to ensure artists grasp Sphere technical demands and are prepared to meet them
Liaise with the Creative and Technical departments to ensure that your crew needs are met
Collaborate regularly with creative, production and technical teammates, and NY senior management.
Drive efficiency and improve quality by implementing tools, best practices, internal frameworks, components and standards
Maintain relationships with external vendors ensuring all deliverables are met.
Manage post scope for all other related filming such as behind the scenes, trailers, external Sphere content, marketing, promo videos, content library and portals.
Identify and lead the implementation of a best in class production management toolkit(s)
Drive process and template the work needed to stand up a production office – to include but not limited to; budgets, call sheets, shot lists, DOOD, crew lists, location check lists, post check lists etc.

Qualifications

What will it take? A unicorn of unicorns with a diversified portfolio of experience in both live action production, post-production, and a deep passion to explore the new medium of Sphere, while advancing production processes, with subject matter expertise across the board.
Previous experience in the cinema industry as HOP, Line Producer, Post Producer, Live Action Producer.
Previous show runner and production office establishment desired.
15+ years of experience production live action studio and location based large productions.
15+ years of experience in a digital facility, working in post-production pipelines
10+ years of experience in leading artist teams, including involvement with recruiting, staffing,
scheduling and training
Experience with large format/CG/360 content creation
Superb organizational skills with ability to create executive presentations, budget summaries, production plans, multi-project timelines, etc.
A confident, professional, and persuasive communication style with senior leaders and team
members
A passion for creative problem-solving and strategic thinking
Ability to remain flexible and calm in high-pressure situations and adjust as multiple moving
parts consistently change
Shotgun experience a plus – use of production management programs a must.
Work in a production environment with ability to work off hours and weekends as necessary.
Experience with attaining film production tax credits and incentives within the state of California and other locations

SUPERVISION:

Oversees this department, approximately 5+ and growing people. Ability to lead, mentor, coach and develop staff is a must have

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

Role will require some travel to locations via air &/or vehicle, domestic and internationally, in order to assess areas of interest or improvements on production locations
Role will require some travel to/ from LA to NY for business meetings.
At the time of this posting, the MSG Sphere studio is operating in accordance to local guidance on safe Covid-19 regulations. As such, a remote work-from-home onboarding to MSG Sphere work is likely. While the studio technology team will support remote work, MSG is seeking applicants local to Los Angeles with the eventual expectation of working on site in our Burbank location.

Education

Candidates who have completed 60 credits of college-level coursework (representing 2 years), or have shown similar self-development through certifications, trade school coursework, etc. are preferred.

Educational requirements may differ from job to job based on the role.

EEO Statement

At MSG we value diversity and are looking for extraordinary employees of all backgrounds! MSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health choices, national origin, citizenship, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, MSG complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in all locations.