POSITION DETAILS

Brooklyn College, a distinguished senior college within the City University of New York (CUNY) system, is seeking a seasoned cinema professional with extensive leadership experience  to become the Executive Director of the Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, located at Steiner Studios, part of the Brooklyn Navy Yard redevelopment project.  The Executive Director reports to the Dean of the School of Visual, Media & Performing Arts (SVMPA).

The Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema is the only film school in America to be built on a working film lot. Feirstein is housed at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, one of the largest soundstage complexes on the East Coast and home to many movies and TV productions. Feirstein is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and the cultivation of new and emerging voices in cinema. It is housed in a brand-new 68,000-square-foot facility, purpose-built for a 21st-century film school. Its production and post-production environment offers state-of-the-art workspaces, studios, stages and equipment, affording students the opportunity to create in a world class professional setting. 

The curriculum of the graduate school focuses on the art and craft of cinema, demonstrated employment growth areas that prepare students for today’s jobs and provide them with the tools to create the careers of tomorrow.  Degree programs include a Master of Fine Arts in Digital Animation and Visual Effects, Cinematography, Directing, Media Scoring, Post-Production, Producing, Screenwriting, Sonic Arts, and a Master of Arts in Screen Studies. These graduate degree programs are delivered in a collaborative instructional model that mirrors real world professional filmmaking.

The School opened in the fall 2015 and graduated its inaugural class in May 2018.

The Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema is housed within the larger School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts (SVMPA) at Brooklyn College. The Executive Director of Feirstein reports to the Dean and works collaboratively with the department chairs in the SVMPA and all members of the larger academic community to realize the goals of the Feirstein School, the SVMPA, and the College.

The main responsibilities of the Executive Director are as follows:

• Lead the Feirstein School in building a compelling vision that will enhance it as a world-class public graduate school of cinema
• Foster collaborative relationships among the graduate cinema department, the SVPMA and other units within Brooklyn College
• Conduct long-and short-term strategic planning for the School in collaboration with the Feirstein faculty and Dean of the SVMPA and aligned with the College’s Strategic Plan
• Develop and execute an aggressive fundraising plan in collaboration with the Brooklyn College Office of Institutional Advancement
• Develop a strong, cooperative relationship with Steiner Studios
• Convene, chair and work collaboratively with the Feirstein School’s Advisory Board; expand the membership and diversity of the Board in collaboration with the Dean
• Represent the Feirstein School to external colleagues and constituents, while collaborating effectively with colleagues at the SVMPA and College
• Oversee student and staff recruitment planning in collaboration with Feirstein team
• Manage marketing and budgets
• Develop supportive relationships with external constituents—corporate, government, and individual
• Recruit Visiting Filmmakers, Industry Professionals, and initiate programs in collaboration with the faculty to enrich the student educational experience
• Any other appropriate responsibilities, as determined by the Dean and Provost

For more information, and to apply and submit references, please visit the cuny.jobs website.

The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema is looking for adjunct faculty qualified to teach the following graduate-level courses in fall 2019:

• Advanced Editing
• Advanced Screenwriting
• Cinema Aesthetics
• Cinematography 2
• Digital Imaging and Compositing I
• Digital Media Integration
• Directing the Actor
• Distribution and Exhibition
• Documentary Production Workshop
• Film Analysis & Research
• Film History / Historiography
• Global Cinemas
• Integrated Media
• Narrative Structure
• National Cinemas
• Post-production Workshop
• Pre-production and Production Management
• Process of Producing
• Producing for New Media
• Production Workshop I
• Scene Writing Workshop
• Screenwriting
• Script Analysis and Development
• Sound Editing and Design 1
• World Cinema for DAVE
• World Cinema to 1960
• Writing for New Media

Industry credits are required, and graduate teaching experience and an M.F.A. are preferred for most production courses. A Ph.D. is required for cinema studies courses. E-mail a CV with a short cover letter, a list of courses taught, and student evaluations, where available, to Matt Moore, academic program manager. Reference “Feirstein Jobs” in the subject line and indicate which course(s) you are qualified to teach.

The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema invites applications for a newly created position as Administrative Specialist (Production Specialist) who will be responsible for key management, scheduling and production activities for student filming on campus. The Administrative Specialist (Production Specialist) reports directly to the Department Chair and works closely with the Technology & Resources Manager and with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety.

The Administrative Specialist (Production Specialist) performs the following duties:

• Manage Feirstein production activities, including but not limited to preparation, scheduling and related budgets. Work with faculty and student producers, and the Academic Center Manager (Technology & Resources Manager) as needed to manage logistics. Ensure that production safety protocols meet industry standards and are enforced for all activities
• Administer policies and procedures to ensure production safety and risk management, as well as compliance with College and CUNY requirements. Coordinate and conduct training for faculty and staff as needed. Make recommendations to the Chairperson, Office of Environmental Health & Safety and Risk Management as necessary
• Review student scripts for possible infractions of local filming rules and regulations from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). Oversee necessary permits with city agencies including NYPD and FDNY
• Manage the approval of release forms, permits, and insurance coverage for productions at Feirstein in collaboration with Brooklyn College and the City University of New York. Coordinate insurance coverage for Feirstein equipment
• Advise Feirstein faculty and staff on securing locations and talent for productions. Serve as a resource for various production and post-production issues
• Develop and maintain procedural manual to ensure Feirstein filming rules and regulations meet industry safety standards
• Coordinate institutional productions funded by MOME or other agencies which promote diversity in entertainment industry
• Serve as the school liaison for training programs, career development programs and other training workshops sponsored by IATSE, Director’s Guild of America and Producers Guild of America
• Supervise professional and part-time staff
• Maintain safety and risk management records, including trainings and incidents. Draft compliance-related reports

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and four years' relevant experience required.

Other Qualifications:

• Master's degree in film, media or other related disciplines preferred
• Strong management and organizational skills essential
• Experience in a professional capacity in the film and/or TV industries, especially with work experience as a Line Producer, UPM or First AD.
• Ability to problem-solve in a fast-paced and energetic environment essential
• Ability to maintain organized records and track information in a systematic manner is essential
• Excellent interpersonal, computer and writing skills

How to Apply

For more information, and to apply and submit references, please visit the cuny.jobs website.