Associate Producer - Disney Television Animation

About the Role

Disney Television Animation (DTVA) has over forty years of legacy as a top producer of kids & family entertainment. Our work is integral to The Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families’ homes across the globe. DTVA creates both long-form and short-form content spanning traditional 2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion. We create shows in a broad range of unique and innovative styles, and we aim to match the right talent with the right production in terms of skill and artistic style.

This is a key leadership role that partners with the Executive Producer, Line Producer, Production and Creative Executives, and subcontracted animation studio to execute the creative vision of the show while working within the schedule and budget for the series. The Associate Producer must be experienced in the TV Animation production process and comfortable dealing with internal and external departments on a daily basis. They will have strong management skills to oversee and give feedback to a production and artistic crew, and be responsible for anticipating and problem-solving complexity and process issues. This role requires collaboration with and leadership of a diverse group of people in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Leadership
  • Attends and oversees crew handouts, episode meetings, reviews, etc.
  • Ensures that the Production and Artist teams are tracking and implementing all Exec, S&P, and Legal notes.
  • Innovates while in the role. Continually assesses processes for efficiency and value, meets with the team to discuss current practices and implementation of new workflows.
  • Oversees and manages the Storybook process, when applicable to the series.
  • Approves timecards for the crew and ensures that hours are allocated correctly and that overtime is approved and charged appropriately.
  • Tracks vacation/holiday calendars.
  • Oversees the Retake process and covers Retake sessions if the Coordinator is unavailable. This includes working with the Post Supervisor and/or Coordinator to ensure Mix dates and Final Playback sessions are on track to complete as scheduled.
  • Coordinates with TDs regarding retake counts/needs.
  • As needed, researches and purchases reference/research materials.
  • Covers all Line Producer responsibilities when the Line Producer is out of the office or if there is not a Line Producer assigned to the series.
• Scheduling
  • Prepares weekly/monthly status reports for show leadership and the Executive team; identifies areas of delay (including creating and maintaining shipping reports, late asset reports, etc.).
  • Keeps a close eye on the calendar to ensure that all required meetings are accounted for and resolves conflicts as needed.
• Staffing
  • Works with the Line Producer to hire full-time and temporary staff and completes onboarding paperwork as needed.
  • Partners with IT and Operations to ensure that artists and production staff have all necessary hardware, software, and office/cube tools.
  • Facilitates team requests through appropriate departments and follows up on their behalf.
  • Requests artist deals and triggers payments as needed.
• Communication
  • Works closely with the Vendor Studio to ensure studios are on track and clear on expectations for the week.
  • Flags any delays from WDTVA to the Vendor as well as any issues brought to WDTVA from the Vendor.
  • Works closely with artists to ensure their assignment and delivery expectations are clear.
• Collaboration
  • Works closely with the Line Producer and show leadership to strategize and resolve issues regarding the Master Schedule and budget throughout all phases of production.
  • Partners with the Line Producer to assess the impact of schedule and budget shifts and executes those changes under the Line Producer’s guidance.
  • Partners with the Art Director(s) to manage the Design team, including creating master schedules, assigning artist work, setting deadlines, giving feedback, and elevating concerns to the Line Producer.
  • Works with the Line Producer to manage and oversee both Pre- and Post-Production Departments.
  • Partners with Music, Casting, and Digital/Post departments to ensure all areas are on track with production deadlines.
  • Partners with the Line Producer to run weekly internal production meetings and meets with the production team regularly.
  • Coordinates with the Story Editor and Casting to ensure script distributions, ADR memo distributions, production records, and ADR records are accurate and complete.
  • Assists the Line Producer in scheduling animatic, color, and playback screenings with the Production Secretary.
  • Assists the Line Producer to ensure delivery of Franchise, Marketing, and Publicity requests.
• Business Support
  • Ensures that all show elements and production material are archived as per WDTVA and studio policy.
• Technical Skills
  • Proficient computer skills; Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook; ToonBoom Storyboard Pro; Adobe Photoshop; Insight; Ftrack or other Production tracking tools.
  • Excellent organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Additional duties as necessary.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of television animation experience.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to partner with Creatives and Executives, collaborate with peers, and manage and mentor artists and production teams.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a positive attitude and the ability to be flexible.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and e-social skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

Pay

The hiring range for this position in California is $85,000 to $116,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Schedule

This is a fully onsite role based in Glendale, CA.