Virtual Production Technical Manager

Glimpse of the Job

The Virtual Production Institute recipient of $25 million in funding from the State of Texas is seeking a highly skilled Virtual Production Technical Manager. You will play a crucial role in modern filmmaking and technical production management. Working with various 3D and content playback pipelines using virtual sets motion capture systems and realtime rendering software as you collaborate closely with directors cinematographers and visual effects teams to create immersive virtual environments and integrate liveaction footage with digital elements seamlessly. This is a rewarding opportunity as your skills ensure that the virtual production process runs smoothly enhancing a captivating visual storytelling experience producing feature films TV shows commercials and music videos.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Technical Production Management:

• Prepares and runs Unreal Engine environments for incamera VFX shooting workflows

• Manages 2D video plate preparation including ingest versioning and stitching

• Executes Unreal Engine setup calibration and operations during preproduction and shoots

• Identifies and implements customization optimization and blueprint requirements for environments

• Maintain and optimize tracking systems including building lens files for Stype and Sisu

• Establishes and maintains color pipelines per project requirements

• Maintains high standards of quality and speed in virtual production workflows

Systems and Infrastructure Management:

• Oversees stage hardware and systems operation

• Manages networking and ICVFX infrastructure

• Implements and maintains version control systems such as Perforce

• Operates and maintains robotic cameras and cranes

• Manages physical lighting protocols including DMX artnet and sACN

Quality Control and Production Support:

• Ensures technical quality standards are maintained across all productions

• Provides technical support during live production

• Troubleshoots and resolves technical issues in realtime

• Maintains documentation of technical procedures and workflows

Collaboration and Communication:

• Works closely with Virtual Production Supervisor and PVFA/VPI tech team

• Participates in production planning and technical coordination meetings

• Collaborates with team members toward common goals

• Communicates technical requirements and solutions clearly and concisely

Technical Development and Optimization:

• Develops and implements Unreal Blueprint solutions

• Creates and maintains Python scripts for workflow optimization

• Manages OCIO/ACES color pipeline implementation

• Optimizes media server operations including Pixera

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five years of experience in related field including demonstrated experience with Unreal Engine including Blueprints and Livelink

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to execute technically difficult work under pressure

• Understanding of OCIO/ACES color pipelines

• Experience with version control systems

• Strong knowledge of stage hardware and systems

• Proficiency in networking and ICVFX infrastructure

• Technical understanding of liveaction cinematography cinema cameras film back aperture shutter and FOV

• Audio and timecode systems knowledge possess a strong understanding of audio timecode systems Genlock and Evertz systems

• Excellent knowledge of Unreal Engine Maya/Blender and visual effects pipelines

• Ability to lift and move technical equipment and manual dexterity for equipment operation

• Work beyond normal office hours and/or on weekends. Travel required.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Pixera and other media servers

• Knowledge of physical lighting protocols (DMX artnet sACN)

• Proficiency in scripting (Unreal Blueprints and Python)

• Experience with robotic cameras and cranes

• Traditional filmmaking onset experience

What you need to know