Assistant Audio Preservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the VP of Asset Restoration & Preservation, this manager role is responsible for research, identification, tracking, and documentation of film, video, audio and ancillary materials across Columbia Pictures, TriStar, and other Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) libraries. Supports Home Entertainment, Music Administration, Postproduction, and other internal clients by locating, evaluating, cataloging, and preparing archival and production materials for preservation, restoration, sales, and distribution initiatives. Utilizes multiple inventory and asset management databases to research historical materials to resolve asset-related inquiries, and support strategic business decisions. Maintains extensive knowledge of library content, archival practices, and historical production technologies to identify and assess available materials. Keeps detailed records and communicates as needed regarding findings to clients, manage schedule to stay ahead of due dates.

Responsibilities

• Conduct deep research into archival materials supporting internal SPE departments: Home Entertainment, Music Administration, Post-Production, Legal, Stock Footage Licensing etc., using various inventory systems and historical documentation.
• Communicate findings to requestors/Asset Restoration team as needed. Work with Asset Restoration Senior Mangers as needed to ensure that workflows are consistent with best archival practices and handling, as well as specific deliverables are created as needed.
• Coordinate directly with Title Managers and Marketing to manage inquiries, deliveries and due dates according to Home Entertainment release schedules.
• Collaborate with inventory analysts and project managers on planning, locating and evaluating materials for extended cuts and special features.
• Create reference materials and transfer files to appropriate departments for review and approval. Track decisions on use and clearance. Create status reports.
• Ensure new elements are properly acquired, and any mislabeled elements are corrected in inventory, archival and newly manufactured elements are received at appropriate SPE facilities and properly documented into database system. Identify and move materials to laboratories or facilities for evaluation and manufacturing.
• Track work through facilities and vendors to ensure assets are returned to safe storage, and necessary files are delivered and documented per studio policies.
• Support Music Administration and Content Licensing research and element retrieval/delivery. Review inventories, research production history and studio documentation and update inventory. Manage movement of materials for evaluation or preservation under direction of project supervisor. Create screener files as needed.
• Support research and evaluation of materials located at out-of-house labs and vendors and assist in coordinating element returns as needed. Review rights information to advise on element retention.
• Maintain internal library of home entertainment releases for research. Integrate new receipts, update inventory as needed.
• Assist with administrative tasks as needed: supporting courier movements, compiling research, updating records, spreadsheets and tracking documents and departmental reports. Other related duties as may be required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working within the film and video industry on archives with an understanding of theatrical post-production and analog film and audio formats and elements
• Knowledge of archival processes and experience with laboratory and post-production workflows, issuing purchase orders and inventory tracking
• Strong facility for research using varied sources both on both paper and digital sources
• Willingness to work in an environment with aged materials, old storage areas, or industrial dust
• Ability to interpret information to further research and develop new avenues of inquiry
• Capable of applying learnings from previous research but staying curious and focused on the details
• Experience working in a film or video laboratory and evaluating elements, scheduling and supervising projects, formulating recommendations is desirable
• Must have excellent organizational skills, with ability to schedule projects work independently but also collaborate as needed
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, including computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, all standard programs, including experience with a variety of inventory databases
• Education:Bachelors or Masters degree in film/video/archiving is highly desirable

The anticipated base salary for this position is $93,000 to $121,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

Sony Pictures does not allow audio recording, video recording or use of AI note-taking tools during interviews. Please be aware these tools may be enabled as a default and can be difficult to disable once the interview has started, so we recommend you check your device and disable these tools prior to the start of your interview. If recording or the use of the tools occurs during the interview and cannot be promptly turned off or disabled, the interviewer may end the interview.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.