Video Producer

Job Highlights

Reporting to the Digital Content Manager, the Video Producer works as part of the Audiences team to design, coordinate, direct, shoot, and edit video content for campaigns including social media, paid advertising, email marketing, and website, as well as reporting and other organizational efforts. The best fit will be a creative storyteller and proactive team player, with a track record of editing and producing unique content. Please be aware that this position is responsible for a high volume of projects during each period of the season in which HGO has productions in rehearsal and on stage.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, and dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission. If you are excited about this position but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, three Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand. We believe every team member enriches our organization by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits.

• Generous paid time off.

• 403b retirement plan with employer match.

• Flexible work schedule.

• Professional development fund and opportunities.

• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots, plus easy access to Metro transportation.

• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage audio and video projects from conceptual design to final product. Responsibilities include:

  • Manage all preparations including understanding the objective of the project, pitching concepts/brainstorming, storyboarding, developing interview prep, writing scripts, creating shot lists, directing on-screen talent during shoots, etc.

  • Manage location and production logistics including securing location(s), communicating with participants, anticipating challenges, securing the appropriate equipment, setting up/tearing down shoot, troubleshooting sound/lighting needs, serving as director and videographer onsite, etc.

• Execute the editing process including color correction, sound mixing, and incorporating graphics. All projects will be subject to feedback and approval.

• Work closely with Digital Content Manager and Content Coordinator to create and maintain a cohesive brand voice across all social media and video content.

• Maintain a calendar of projects in Trello, HGO’s project management tool, that clearly outlines projects and requests. Meet all deadlines with time built into the process for multiple rounds of edits and provide regular status updates throughout the production process.

• Collaborate with colleagues on Marketing and Creative teams to create compelling visual content for a wide variety of channels and help lead the creative vision by brainstorming content strategy to support ticket sales, subscriptions, brand initiatives, and more.

• Work closely with the Rehearsal and Planning department to coordinate video requests with artists and talent, as well as recording sessions within rehearsal periods, including securing appropriate spaces at the theater and working around artists’ schedules.

• Support media relations by providing requested b-roll and footage.

• Ensure each video project maintains high-quality while adhering to HGO brand standards and legal/contract clearance. Responsible for generating new ideas and maximizing emerging video strategies and trends.

• Collaborate with outside vendors/creative agencies on video projects including mainstage production videos, season branding campaigns, and livestreaming events.

• With manager approval, act as main point of contact and manage coordination of freelance support.

• Work with Archivist and Content Administrator to coordinate requests with external opera companies to secure and share footage as needed, always ensuring HGO’s adherence to contracts and rights agreements.

• Support the video project needs of all HGO departments including Community & Learning, Philanthropy, Office of the General Director, the Butler Studio, etc.

• Maintain video department equipment and inventory. Ensure proper care, maintenance, and storage of all equipment. Coordinate and manage rental equipment as needed.

• Manage organization and storage of video archives. Export and upload videos to proper channels for archive and cross-departmental review, including Vimeo and YouTube. Maintain file storage including organization of all final projects, drafts, and footage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in film/video production, or similar discipline (a comparable combination of education/experience and/or training will be considered equivalent to the education listed).

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience producing videos.

Required Skills

• Experience with multimedia storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.

• Proven mastery of skills in all aspects of videography, including camera operation, lighting, shot composition, set design, etc.

• Skilled editor, proficient with Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media

• Basic Animation skills preferred (Adobe After Effects, Animate)

• Submission of a creative reel reflecting qualifications.

Special Job Characteristics

• Proven skills in field producing and working with talent and interview subjects.

• Written and verbal communication skills; must be able to effectively communicate with team members and others throughout the organization.

• Anticipates and prevents problems and roadblocks before they occur.

• An ear for sound and knowledge of how to enhance and mix audio for videos.

• Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the company’s goals.

• Ability and desire to learn new skills and technologies as needed.

• Highly organized with attention to detail.

• Must be willing to work on a flexible schedule if/when needed. Weekend and night work are required.

• Ability to juggle multiple assignments.

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team situation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of standing, walking, sitting and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 30 pounds), reaching for items, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending performances, events, and meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.