International Travel and Production Coordinator

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced International Travel and Production Coordinator to join the team at Strange Parts, a popular YouTube channel that explores the ins and outs of manufacturing and technology.

This is a dynamic and fast-paced role that requires strong organizational and project management skills, as well as a passion for technology and manufacturing. The job will involve 50% travel to different factories for shooting, typically for 1-3 days per factory, and 50% of time will be spent working remotely on pre-production and post-production tasks such as researching new factories and overseeing the editing and post-production process for completed shoots.

Responsibilities

• Manage pre-production:
  • Research factories for shoots, identify potential locations and make initial contact with factories to gauge interest and availability.
  • Contact factories and negotiate permissions and requirements to film, sometimes including fees paid by the factory to cover shooting costs.
  • Arrange travel and accommodations for the production team, and make sure all necessary permits and permissions are obtained.
  • Hire and manage camera operators, fixers, translators, drivers, and editors, ensuring that all team members have the necessary equipment and support to do their jobs.
  • Be primary point of contact for factories, own the relationship and make sure that all requests and issues are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
• Manage production:
  • Take notes during shoot on shots and the artistic vision, for communicating to the editor.
  • Be the liaison between the factory representatives and the rest of the production team, ensuring that everyone is aware of the schedule and any changes that need to be made.
  • Plan shoot days, anticipate issues before they arise and address them promptly.
  • Maintain a high level view of the shoot while the host and camera operator focus on the current shot, ensuring that the production stays on schedule and all necessary footage is captured.
• Manage post production:
  • Offloading and backups of footage, ensuring that all footage is properly backed up and stored.
  • Delivering footage to offsite editors, ensuring that all footage is properly labeled and easy to find.
  • Communicate shooting notes and the artistic vision developed during the shoot to the editors, ensuring that the final product accurately reflects the intended vision.
  • Oversee the edit, making sure that all footage is used effectively and the final product is polished and engaging.
  • Oversee finishing including color, audio, and rendering, ensuring that the final product meets the high-quality standards and overall style of Strange Parts.
  • Manage uploading and releasing the finished video to multiple platforms (Youtube, Nebula, and Patreon currently).

Requirements

• The ideal candidate for this position will have a minimum of 3 years experience as a documentary producer with experience in international shoots and a run and gun style of shooting. A portfolio of previous work is required for consideration.
• Alternatively, candidates with experience managing manufacturing across multiple factories in China will also be considered in lieu of documentary producer experience.
• Candidates must have experience operating in China and must speak at least “survival level” Mandarin. This includes being able to order food, get around in a taxi, and barter in a market without relying on your phone. Higher levels of fluency are a big plus.
• The position requires 50% travel and 50% remote work (digital nomads welcome). Travel will be worldwide, but will initially be focused on mainland China, Asia, and the US. Candidates must hold a US passport.
• Solid travel experience in 3rd world countries is required.
• The ideal candidate will be a natural relationship builder who loves meeting new people and building relationships quickly, as well as organizing groups of people to do cool, ambitious projects.
• Candidates must be detail oriented and have strong organizational, project management, and leadership/management skills, as well as the ability to adapt to changes in fast-paced environments.
• A background in or passion for manufacturing, engineering, making, and/or technology is strongly preferred.