Description
JOB POSTING TITLE: Assistant Professor
in Digital Film/Video Production (Tenure-Track)
INTRODUCTION
The Digital Media & Design Department (DMD) in the School of Fine
Arts at the University of Connecticut - Storrs (UConn), is pleased to invite applications
for a full-time, tenure-track position in Digital Film/Video Production, with
an emphasis on narrative film production, at the rank of Assistant Professor.
The anticipated start date is August 23, 2024.
The Digital Media & Design (DMD) Department is a uniquely
interdisciplinary academic unit led by faculty from the fine arts, business,
STEM, and humanities fields. Established in 2013, this innovative and evolving
department currently has 26 full-time faculty members, 375 undergraduate and 20
graduate students, and offers MFA, MA, BFA and BA degrees with the following
concentrations: Digital Film/Video Production (BFA), 3D Animation (BFA), Motion
Design & Animation (BFA), Game Design (BFA), Web/Interactive Media Design
(BFA), Digital Culture (BA), and Digital Media Business Strategies (BA). Our
program has a strong emphasis on collaboration and experiential learning, best
preparing our students for the challenges they may face when working in
industry. The Department has established strong working partnerships with large
and small companies, start-ups, public institutions, and charitable nonprofits,
giving students hands-on, real-world opportunities that benefit the creative
economy of the state.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to research and
scholarship through the production of high-quality, nationally and
internationally recognized narrative films and/or other creative works, as
measured through film festival screenings, broadcasts, performances,
exhibitions, publications, honorific awards, and/or extramural funding. The
successful candidate will share a deep commitment to effective instruction at
the undergraduate and graduate levels, innovative course and instruction methods,
and mentoring of students in research and professional development. Successful
candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among members of
underrepresented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public
engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning
experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional methods and
research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques
designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual
interests. Candidates will also be expected to participate in departmental and
University service to support curricular and program development, as well as
advise undergraduate and graduate students in the Department.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and
member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of
higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional
campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law
School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus
in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and
32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate
and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research
activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation.
Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and
cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students,
faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of
citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments
of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and
research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to
communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation
areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable
challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for
student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily
selective.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The ideal candidate has significant professional experience in film
production, with a focus on narrative/fiction filmmaking. The successful
candidates will teach pre-production, production, and post-production courses
including narrative short film production, screenwriting, cinematography,
storytelling, and other forms of digital media. Additional experience and
expertise in cinematography, sound design, distribution, and/or client-based
video production are highly valued.
The position has a 3/2 teaching load comprising of five 3-credit courses
per year - at all levels of Film/Video Production, from first year to senior
capstone to graduate courses - as well as additional independent studies,
supervised internships, and student advising.
Acknowledging a lack of diversity in the film industry, DMD embraces an
inclusive environment and is particularly interested in receiving applications
from members of underrepresented groups.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Terminal degree
(MFA or Ph.D., etc.) in film, video, digital media, communications, or
other related fields. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
- At least 3
years of professional short and/or feature film/video production
experience with an emphasis in fiction/narrative filmmaking.
- Outstanding
record of, or potential for, research and scholarship excellence
(broadcast, theatrical, exhibition, and/or film festival).
- Demonstrated
teaching experience in narrative film production and screenwriting courses
(may include TA, guest lecture, master classes, etc.).
- A deep
commitment to promoting diversity through their academic and research
programs.
- Strong
familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud production software including
Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, etc.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 3
years of university teaching experience, with demonstrated ability to
teach at various levels of curriculum from foundation to advanced.
- Demonstrated
proficiency in many aspects of production, such as expertise in
cinematography, sound design, etc.
- Familiarity
with industry standard production equipment, including but not limited to
Canon and Sony cinema cameras, lighting equipment, camera support systems,
sound recording equipment, etc.
- Demonstrated
leadership in curriculum/course development in film production.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated
start date of August 23, 2024. The successful candidate’s academic appointment
will be at the Storrs campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of
UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Salary will be
commensurate with qualifications and experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful
completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26889 and submit the
following application materials:
- A cover
letter specifically addressing your credentials relative to the
minimum and preferred qualifications listed above
- A complete curriculum
vitae
- A digital
portfolio that includes 1-2 long form or 3-5 short form film samples
of work that the applicant has directed or in which they have played a
primary creative role, along with 3-5 student work samples
- A one to
two-page research/scholarship statement
- A one to
two-page teaching statement (including teaching philosophy,
teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new
course development, etc.)
- A one page commitment
to diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (including broadening
participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction, and
research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning
styles, etc.)
- Names and
contact information for three professional references
Evaluation of applicants will begin on January 28, 2024, and will
continue until filled. If you have questions related to the search, please send
a detailed inquiry to Meredith Friedman at meredith.friedman@uconn.edu. For more
information regarding the Department of Digital Media & Design please visit
the Department's website at https://dmd.uconn.edu/.
At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is
complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.
This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which
may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit
appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse
environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on
collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive
culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the
willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich
perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential
for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly
understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly
respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and
encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national
origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.