Video Production Specialist II

Job Description

The Video Production Specialist II, working within WGU Studios, will be responsible for producing highly engaging video productions with excellent storytelling, including digital shorts and promotional videos, educational and training videos, and feature length documentaries, all with the intent of advancing WGU’s mission to expand access to higher education.

Primary Responsibilities

• Use creativity and artistic vision to tell compelling stories by producing videos, utilizing professional camera techniques, lighting, video editing, color grading, graphics and titles, audio post-processing, music, effects, and foley.
• Participate in the entire video production process, including concepting, directing, shooting, interviewing, location sound capture, editing, color correction, audio post-processing, motion graphics, exporting final deliverables, thumbnails, caption files, links/embed codes, and backing up projects using studio guidelines for organization and metadata/tagging.
• Aid in the production of tasks such as writing scripts, script breakdowns, shot lists, storyboards, location scouting, call sheets, and other organizational tasks.
• Serve as an on-set lead for production crews coordinating assignments and ensuring production goals are met.
• Experience interviewing subjects on camera.
• Create graphic transitions, lower thirds, titles, and other motion graphics.
• Stay up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for process improvement, social media best practices, platform-specific requirements, and increased video engagement.
• Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders at all levels to ensure a smooth transition from initial concept to final deliverable.
• Responsible for understanding and implementing best practices for media organization and back-up.
• Assist in Digital Asset Management and creating project-specific storage workflows.
• Train Level I staff in the operation of video equipment, lighting, audio, and post-production workflows.
• Assist other departments as directed, including live events, podcasts, and more.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the entire video production process, including concepting, directing, shooting, interviewing, and location sound capture.
• Understanding of on-set protocols and best practices for film, television, and documentary production.
• Proficiency in the entire video post-production process, including video editing, color-correction, audio sweetening, basic motion graphics (titles/lower thirds), and exporting final deliverables.
• Highly skilled in all technical facets of video image capture, sensor formats, ISO, exposure techniques, lenses, filters, follow focus, resolution, frame rates, recording formats, bitrate, camera audio/sync, color space, LUTs, and DIT/data management.
• Highly skilled in all technical facets of video editing and color-correction, advanced video and audio editing, RAW/LOG footage manipulation, resolution, frame rates, pixel aspect ratios, encoders, bitrate, delivery formats, camera audio/sync, color space, LUTS, advanced color-correction, creative grading, motion tracking, and round-trip best practices between software.
• Proficiency in digital video and cine cameras: RED, ARRI, Sony, Canon, Blackmagic, etc.
• Experienced with still photography, proficiency in still cameras: Canon, Sony, Nikon, or similar.
• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite: Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Audition. Proficiency in Davinci Resolve.
• Proficiency in Avid Pro Tools.
• Expertise in exporting media to a variety of distribution platforms with the appropriate video format, audio format mapping, and closed captions.
• Knowledgeable of Digital Asset Management, industry best practices, proficiency in graphic design skills and motion graphics implementation, such as lower thirds, descriptive titling and transitions, tracking and compositing, using the Adobe After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop, Davinci Resolve, Fusion, or comparable.
• Proficiency in using industry recognized backup software (ShotPut Pro, Hedge, Silverstack, or equivalent).
• Ability to direct and put interview subjects at ease, drawing out authentic, compelling performances.
• Knowledgeable about live-event standards and post-production settings and standards.
• Self-motivated with strong interpersonal skills, able to put clients and participants at ease while interviewing or capturing their best performances.
• High level problem-solving, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with producing, directing, videography, editing, graphic design, motion graphics or similar, with a demonstrated focus on videography, editing, motion graphics, and visual effects.
• Previous experience in an educational, corporate or mission-driven content environment is a plus.