Hanson FilmTV Institute Seeks New Director
The Hanson FilmTV Institute is a vibrant asset of The University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television within the College of Fine Arts. The Institute seeks a new leader with experience and vision to guide it in a direction that positively impacts student learning and experience, develops the Institute’s cultural significance, and advances the Institute’s regional, national, and international visibility. The Institute serves University of Arizona Film and Television students of all backgrounds, helping them to understand the range of opportunities available within the film and television industries and assisting them in achieving their career goals.
In the 17 years since its founding with a $7M endowment gift, the Institute has produced educational programs, public events including the film festivals Tucson Cine Mexico and the Red Screen Film Festival, workshops, seminars, and panels, including assistant director training seminars; screenwriting and television script writing seminars; creative development workshops; pitching workshops; documentary making workshops; and agent and film financing panels. The Institute has also collaborated with and provided support for the UA Center for Documentary Initiative and Docscapes, an event series showcasing significant films and filmmakers.
Our search process is designed to guide the candidate to address the foundational elements of the Institute, and from there, offers the candidate opportunities to outline their vision for the future of the Institute. In application materials, candidates should address approaches to the following three mission-critical functions of the Institute:
1. Build and sustain a two-way bridge between the University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film and Television and the broad landscape of film and television industries, inviting industry professionals to the Institute to teach and mentor students while offering entrée for students to experience robust industry opportunities in the form of internships and other career development opportunities.
2. Continue to play a strong role in interacting with industry professionals – alumni and otherwise – by producing workshops, seminars, specialized field trips and other events that benefit students in both our BA and BFA programs.
3. Part of TFTV’s identity and strength comes from Hanson FilmTV’s location at the University of Arizona in the borderlands of a state with one of the largest Indigenous populations in the United States. This cultural and geographic locale forms part of Hanson FilmTV’s identity as an important nexus where diverse voices of industry professionals and academics work with young artists and scholars.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Direct and lead the development of Hanson FilmTV film projects, workshops, seminars, specialized field trips and other events that benefit students in both our BA and BFA programs, while adhering to University policies and procedures.
- Direct such projects from conception to completion.
- Coordinate site visits, as needed, to various film projects, workshops, seminars, festivals or other events to ensure the events are staying within parameters of the proposed timelines.
- Evaluate the success of projects to communicate with the Director of the School and faculty,making the necessary recommendations for improvement.
- Assist in preparing and maintaining annual budget for the Hanson FilmTV Institute, ensuring all projects fall within the budgets set.
- Maintain contacts with various industry professionals, film offices and festivals for the various film projects, workshops, seminars, specialized field trips and other events that Hanson FilmTV will be promoting.
- Create alliances with local and national film partners that will offer the students in the program, learning prospects in the form of internships and other career development opportunities.
- Mentor undergraduate students in obtaining internships.
- Form partnerships with national/international funding organizations or other academic institutions to create new or collaborative projects that will enhance the School and Institute as nationally ranked Film & Television program.
- Contribute as a creative thinker, promoting ideas, supplying recommendations and feedback, and considering the needs of the School, and the Institute, while fully supporting team decisions and other team members.
- Work as a cooperative team player and communicate effectively with a diverse group.
- Train student employees and interns who will be working with various projects and industry professionals.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Review of applications will begin mid-August and will continue until position is filled. Start date: January 3, 2022. For further information and to apply, visit azart.fyi/hansondirector