Job Summary
The Department of Art and Art History in the College of Liberal Arts, at the University of Texas at Arlington, invites applications for a full-time, Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track appointment, in Cinematic Arts who also will serve as the Area Coordinator for the Cinematic Arts area. Research specializations: Candidate must be well trained in Cinematic Arts production understanding a range of techniques and approaches relevant to the field today. The successful applicant will be someone who is an active filmmaker, making original contributions to narrative filmmaking, presenting contemporary storytelling from an individual perspective, with a record of success at film festivals. Candidates must be artists demonstrating the potential to establish a significant track record of creative activity including exhibitions and professional involvement in the field at the national and international levels. Teaching specializations: Candidates need to be qualified to teach across the Cinematic Arts area’s curriculum, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful applicants will be someone who brings the ability to teach filmmaking in context to global practices, who is able to offer students insights into not only the films of the AFI Top 100, but with reference to significant films from around the world as well. The successful applicant will have demonstrable skill within the core technical aspects of filmmaking at all its stages. Together with this it is expected that they will master the principles of cinematic storytelling and be able to mentor student as they form their own unique creative voice. The successful applicant will teach in at least two of the following areas: directing, producing, cinematography, sound recording and design, and / or postproduction. They also will need to work with MFA Cinematic Arts students either in coursework, or through serving on their committees, which could include having the ability to serve as the student’s Committee Chair. Excellent communication with other faculty members, as well as with students, is paramount to success in this role. Candidates must be capable of effective critique of student film work in both formative and summative feedback activities and performing dedicated teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful applicant also will serve as Cinematic Arts Area Coordinator, and to lead in student advising and mentoring activities for students concentrating in the Cinematic Arts area. Additional duties include coordinating and overseeing the Concentration Portfolio Review process for Cinematic Arts students, providing faculty mentoring and supervision in the Cinematic Arts area, leading faculty in area meetings, representing the area at the departmental level, working with area faculty to schedule courses offered and assigning instructors to courses for review by the department, facilities management for Cinematic Arts, and managing the budget of the area. The Area Coordinator role also holds responsibility for overseeing safety instruction in the area, ensuring full compliance with all the relevant health and safety procedures and policies. This includes managing equipment use and safety, faculty and work study training, equipment maintenance, and other related duties. Additionally, they will be expected to serve on other university, college, and departmental committees as assigned. Candidates should be aware of the UTA 2030 strategic plan: https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan and consider how we can develop cultural initiatives that will maximize our geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural presence to enhance our worldwide community partnerships as we pursue the goals of UTA 2030. In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to accept work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Demonstrating strong training in the field of filmmaking, with an excellent understanding of audio-visual storytelling, the roles or practices of screenwriting, cinematography, sound, the range of post-production techniques and processes, and an understanding of film theory and history. Practicing as an active, exhibiting film maker, with regional and / or national exhibitions track record, demonstrating the potential to establish a significant track record of creative activity, including presentations, screenings, exhibitions and professional involvement in the field at the national and international levels, including at film festivals and in competitions. Working as a film maker actively engaged with the future of image making and new directions in the field, experienced with a wide array of approaches, and techniques in Cinematic Arts today, also familiar with relevant historical and contemporary discourse. Qualified to teach relevant curriculum in Cinematic Arts at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with the ability to teach in at least two of the following areas: directing, producing, cinematography, sound recording and design, and / or post-production. Demonstrating current relevant understanding of best industry practices such as use of intimacy coordination, how to foster supportive working environments on set and in pre- and post-production settings, set etiquette and hierarchy of roles and responsibilities from production assistants up to Director and Producer roles, and knowledge of relevant fair working practices. Ability to teach students how to prepare for production assistant roles on film production crews on set and in the production office setting. Excellent communication skills in writing and verbally. Effective communication with other faculty and with students. Ability to serve as the Cinematic Arts Area Coordinator. Capable of leading student advising and mentoring activities for Cinematic Arts students. Ability to coordinate and oversee the Concentration Portfolio Review process for area students. Capable of providing faculty mentoring and supervision in the Cinematic Arts area. Ability to manage the area’s budget. Ability to lead facilities management for the area, including maintaining the area’s equipment. Ability to ensure all health and safety compliance for the Cinematic Arts area and training of all area faculty and students on the relevant protocols, policies, and procedures for same.
Required Qualifications
A terminal degree ( MFA ) in Film and Video, Cinematic Arts or related Film Production program from an accredited (recognized equivalent) university. Professional filmmaking experience. University-level teaching experience. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant filmmaking principles, standards, and concepts, and of pertinent pedagogical approaches for teaching the range of aspects of filmmaking and Cinematic Arts. Expertise in Mac OS and Adobe Suite particularly in: Premier Pro, Audition, and After Effects. Ability to teach at all levels of the area’s undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Demonstration of ability to contribute to the excellence of the academic community through creative activity / research, teaching, advising, and service. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Actively researching at a national and/or international level. An effective mentor and advisor of students. Demonstrating an awareness of the UTA 2030 Strategic Plan and show consideration of how we can develop cultural initiatives that make effective use of our resources while helping us contribute to the reaching of the UTA 2030 goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum two (2) years of teaching experience in Cinematic Arts, or Film and Video courses at the university level. Developing or sustained record of national and / or international presentations and competitions. Demonstrating relevant and recent industry experience. Demonstrating a sound knowledge of current and emerging technologies (such as virtual production). Expertise in other post-production NLE systems (Avid, DaVinci Resolve). Capable of delivering effective critique of student work in both formative and summative feedback activities. Ability to teach screenwriting, and / or cinematic animation. Capable of supporting curriculum around feminist filmmaking histories and practices. Ability to develop and nurture a competitive curriculum, including proposals for special topics courses that would enhance the academic goals of the Cinematic Arts area. Ability to create and advance multi-disciplinary courses that would enhance strategic goals for the department and university. Graduate-level research/thesis supervision and advising experience. Experience conducting portfolio reviews. Familiarity with NASAD standards on delivering competencies to students in film and video / cinematic arts.
