Projectionist - Part Time (20 hours)

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Since 1972, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has presented cutting edge cinema as Chicago’s premiere art house theater. The Film Center’s programming includes annual film festivals that celebrate diverse voices and international cultures, premieres of trailblazing work by today’s independent filmmakers, restorations and revivals of essential films from cinema history, and insightful, provocative discussions with filmmakers and media artists.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This is a 20 hour/week part-time evening and weekend position that provides film and video projection and ensures an excellent cinematic experience for Film Center patrons. Assists the Technical Director with inspection, preparation, and quality control of all incoming media. Assists with setup and breakdown of equipment used for programs in the Film Center or at remote locations and provides general technical support for events. Repackages film, video and related material for shipping.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Part-time staff
• Grade Level: 4

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Working nights and weekends required
• Projects a wide variety of media formats including 35mm film, 16mm film, DCPs, Bluray discs and digital files on a regularly scheduled basis.*
• Routinely checks picture, sound and overall presentation quality of each screening.*
• Performs quality control checks on all incoming media and alerts Technical Director to any issues that may affect proper playback of content. *
• Ingests DCPs and KDMs into theater servers and builds playlists for screenings that include correct sponsor ads, trailers and features.*
• Sets up, breaks down, and monitors equipment for special events such as microphones, PAs, mixers, laptops, and television monitors.
• General maintenance and cleaning of all equipment and work areas.
• Advises Technical Director of any equipment failure or potential problems.*
• Remains on the job if needed to assist with emergency repair by an outside contractor.*
• Maintains strong and regular communication with the Technical Director, other projectionists, and front of house staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with DCP (digital cinema package) projection is required
• Experience setting up and operating basic AV equipment is required
• The successful candidate should have:
  • excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • strong verbal and written communication skills
  • the ability to work both individually and as a team
  • availability to work nights, weekends, and special events as needed
• Experience operating 35mm and 16mm film projectors is preferred
• Experience with transcoding video and DCP creation is preferred
• Previous film festival experience is preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. or more
• Moves up and down stairs within the Projection Booth
• Assesses proper focus of projected images on screen at a distance of 100 feet, discerns appropriate audio level for media in-theater, and detects spatial audio for surround sound in theater.
• This job averages 50% sitting and 50% standing, with the occasional need to stand for extended periods of time.

UNION: This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

EEO The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.