Assistant Professor of Directing for Film and Television

About the role

The Department of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor with professional expertise in narrative directing for film and television.

Responsibilities

• Teach film and directing courses and appropriate to the candidate’s specialty, education, and experience as well as departmental need including, but not limited to, lower-division fundamental classes, Directing I, Directing II, Production Workshop I and II, and Story Development.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop curriculum and oversee the Directing curriculum.
• Coordinate production classes to ensure consistent and equitable student experience.
• Mentor and supervise students in the Directing program.
• Develop and maintain ongoing research, scholarly, and creative activities.
• Act as program liaison with industry professionals in the field.
• Develop and sustain currency in the field of narrative filmmaking as a director.
• Engage in program-related service activities such as recruitment and evaluation of lecturers, and programmatic review.
• Coordinate and expand interdisciplinary initiatives and screening events with other departments on campus including study-abroad initiatives.
• Mentor students and engage in outreach with student organizations and events.
• Participate in service to the department, college, university, and community.

Requirements

• MFA or appropriate terminal degree in directing, film, or related area or significant industry experience*
• Degree at time of application or official notification of completion of the terminal degree by August 1, 2026.
• Two years of experience at the college level teaching directing for film or television.
• Demonstrated knowledge of directing and filmmaking-specific pedagogical approaches.
• Demonstrated experience directing a variety of professional work including but not limited to narrative feature films and episodic series.
• Demonstrated potential for sustained growth and success in research, scholarly, and creative activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students.
• Significant industry experience as demonstrated by portfolio of work and C.V.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of teaching scripted narrative directing at the college level.
• Demonstrated professional experience as a director of short and feature length films, episodic/serial television, web series, music videos, or TV/internet spots.
• Demonstrated professional story development and screenwriting experience.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a diverse group of artists.
• An emerging record of creative professional work that reflects and elevates characters from underrepresented groups.
• An established record of mentorship, outreach, and/or engagement with young filmmakers (particularly from underrepresented groups).
• Experience with inter-departmental or interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Service experience at the college level.
• Experience with multiple modes of instruction (in-person, online, hybrid).
• Experience successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body.
• Mentoring or supporting students using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom.