ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Title: Production Manager

Responsible to: Creative Production Director 

Place of Work: Backyard Cinema, Capital Studios, Wandsworth

Hours of Work: 40 Hours per-week, including occasional evenings and weekends

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £40,000 per-annum

Start Date: As soon as practicable.

Deadline –  Monday 30th May at 10am

Overview 

Backyard Cinema is looking for a talented Production Manager to join their fast-growing Creative Production team for 2022 and beyond. This role will be based at Backyard Cinema’s Capital Studios venue in Wandsworth, which is not only home to two large immersive cinema screens, changing themes seasonally, but it also boasts a large communal drinking area, a live entertainment stage, cocktail bar, street food and more.

We are looking for a passionate Production Manager to join us as in-house Production Manager on Backyard Cinema’s immersive cinema experiences, cinema and live linema productions planning at the pre-production, build, running of technical facilities and de-rig stages of each immersive production.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Management:

• To act as Production Manager on all Backyard Cinema’s productions which includes Immersive Cinema Experiences within BYC’s permanent venue in Wandsworth and Live and Pop-Up Cinema Experience elsewhere, to include:
  • Working and liaising with in-house Creative Production team, working with directors and freelance creative teams to ensure realisation of artistic vision inside agreed production parameters.
  • Leading pre-production meetings to ensure all relevant issues are addressed and resources considered, and to continue to lead production meetings throughout the process of taking the work to production.
  • To plan and manage, in conjunction with the Creative Production Director and Creative Producer, the fit ups, production periods and get outs for allocated productions.
  • Ensuring all allocated productions & projects comply with legislation, are certificated as required, have the correct risk assessment, CDM and method statement documentation, and have been inspected by the relevant Authorities, as necessary.
  • Maintaining proper and complete records and responding to developments or changes in legislation.  Liaising with relevant builders and manufacturers to ensure sets and assets are created to the best possible standard and fit for purpose.
  • Consulting on and compiling risk assessments and method statements.
  • Supporting freelance or external Production Managers to ensure consistency of standards across all Backyard Cinema work taking place.
  • Liaising with Production Managers or Production Management Contractors to ensure creative and financial parameters of BYC are being met and the production maintains the highest possible standard. 
  • An understanding of AutoCad and/or SketchUp in the context of  ground plans, sectional drawings and construction plans.
  • To plan the use of technical resources in conjunction with the Technical Manager and freelance designers.
  • Supporting the Technical Manager and technical team to maintain the Immersive Cinema Experiences at BYC’s venue.
  • Ensuring that all projects remain inside pre-agreed budget parameters.
  • Procurement of equipment and services in connection with BYC’s productions.
  • On occasion to provide production support for the work of other departments, including Marketing, PR and Private Hires.
• Any other reasonable duties required to assist the Creative Production Department or Backyard Cinema as a whole.
• You may be required to work offsite on Backyard Cinema projects away from our home venue. 

Technical:

• Gain an understanding of the whole building and all its capabilities – in production the lighting, sound, SFX, show control, relays, video and playback and cabling and as a building the air handling, alarms systems, etc.  To work on the maintenance upkeep of the building, keeping records to ensure regular maintenance checks are carried out on a regular basis in line with external contractors.
• To develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the Backyard Cinema movie playback system and other Backyard Cinema show control equipment / programmes.
• To oversee the day to day operational technical aspects of the venue to ensure they’re running as smoothly as possible.
• To support the Venue Manager with the rota-ing the technical team, making sure there is sufficient tech support on-site when necessary.

Personal Specification:

Essential

• Prior experience of coordinating professional immersive and/or theatre projects and delivering them to the highest artistic and technical level. 
• A good knowledge of production and technical techniques including stage, construction, rigging, lighting, sound and projection.
• The ability to demonstrate excellent technical and financial control.
• Proven project management, organisational and time management skills.
• The ability to lead a project in a calm, clear and professional manner.
• The ability to nurture the skills of individuals under their supervision.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and procedures as related to the theatre industry and proven experience of implementing these legislative requirements in a positive and sympathetic manner.
• Strong IT skills.
• An interest in and enthusiasm for film and immersive theatre.
• Ability to work well within a small dedicated team.
• Ability to work with and support all other departments.

Desirable

• CAD drafting skills (AutoCAD) 
• Experience of SketchUp
• Health & Safety training
• PAT testing
• First Aid Certificate
• IPAF 3a & 3b trained

Backyard Cinema 

What once started as a passion project in its founder’s very own back garden, Backyard Cinema has now grown to be known as one of the leading alternative cinema experiences in London. The UK’s only themed cinema and its team are behind: the widely acclaimed LA Nights, Miami Beach, The Winter Night Garden and the Snow Kingdom across London venues, including their permanent residency at Capital Studios, Wandsworth. As well as the 5 year sell-out show, Romeo & Juliet in a church with a choir. 

Backyard Cinema transports you to new and exciting worlds, to enjoy film like never before. Specialising in interactive and nostalgic set builds creating full experiences, they have merged the worlds of immersive theatre, classic cinema and street markets into one amazing night or day out. 

Now marks an exciting time to join Backyard Cinema, with a newly restructured Creative Production Department as the company gears up to add two new venues and a live immersive production to its portfolio this year.

As part of the Backyard Cinema team you’ll

• Push the boundaries beyond what’s expected 
• Make it your mission to consistently wow our audience 
• Listen to the opinions and ideas of others, recognising they may not be the same as yours, and that’s ok 
• Welcome everyone, treating individuals with respect, irrespective of opinions, beliefs or background 
• Be open to receiving feedback and listen to new ideas 
• Present our audience and colleagues with a can do attitude 
• Be excited by the constant change and evolution of our business
• Understand our customers are diverse individuals; we’re not scared to ask our audience how they would like the problem resolved 
• Always look and strive for bigger and better opportunities

The Perks

• An opportunity to work for one of London’s leading cinema experiences
• The opportunity to be part of a fun, creative and exciting business, based in an unusual venue space, full of character and history
• The opportunity to be a part of a unique events and hospitality offering, well known for delivering exceptional customer service
• A wonderfully relaxed and supportive working environment, with regular team briefings and a collaborative working culture
• Personal development and career progression opportunities alongside business growth
• Complimentary Backyard Cinema tickets for you and your closest family members
• 50% off food & drinks at Capital Studios
• Event launch nights and end of season wrap-parties.