Production Manager

To oversee and coordinate production requirements for the 2010 Dunedin Fringe Festival and other events undertaken by the Trust as needed. This is a full time 40 hour per week position located at the Fringe Office, 110 Moray Place, Dunedin.

Reports to: Festival Director

Manages: Volunteer & Event Coordinator, Venue Coordinators and Technicians

KEY TASKS

1. Artist Liaison

• Recruit artists to the Festival and provide advice to artists on their production requirements.
• Work with the Fringe administrator to process artist registrations, grant and venue applications including follow-up of missing details or seeking clarification by 20 November 2009.
• To work with the Director to coordinate the grants committee including dissemination of information to committee members and results to artists.
• Disseminate information and Festival updates to artists on a regular basis.
• Oversee the review, update and dissemination of the Festival Pack to artists by 29 January 2010.
• Oversee the printing and distribution of artist, crew, and media passes by 26 February.

2. Venues

• Oversee the use and effective management of three Festival-run venues.
• Update and maintain a list of potential venues and venue contact details for artists not using Fringe-run venues.
• Update or create written specifications for each Festival-run venue, its equipment, layout, and generic lighting rig, and provide to programmed artists by 30 October.
• To take a lead role in programming artists into Festival-run venues and on approval from Director confirm with venues and artists.
• Oversee the installation of a generic lighting rig in Fringe-run venues as well as staging, sound and other equipment within Festival budget constraints and as agreed with the Festival Director.
• Create a schedule of pack-in, pack-out and rehearsal times for all Festival-run venues and provide relevant written information to programmed artists by 26 February.
• Ensure artists sign a venue hire agreement prior to use and that they understand the terms and conditions.
• Oversee the set up of Fringe-run venues according to the agreed production schedule, including coordinating suppliers and staff as needed.
• Oversee the pack-out of Fringe-run venues ensuring they are left in as found condition (as agreed with venues) and any borrowed equipment is returned to its owner.
• Liaise with venue owners and/or managers to ensure good communication, smooth venue operation and Fringe/venue agreements are upheld.

3. Ticketing

• Oversee the set up and operation of front-of-house operations for Festival-run venues by Venue Coordinators and volunteers.
• Ensure volunteer box office staff are trained and able to carry out their duties effectively.
• Work with the office administrator to ensure payments to artists of box office income is made in a timely manner.
• Oversee the collection and security of box office income during the Festival.
• Oversee the collection of box office data and the compilation of attendance figures by venue staff.

4. Events

• Oversee production requirements of Fringe Festival produced events including the Programme Launch, Opening Ceremony, Busking Blitz, Fringe Inventions, Kiosk, and Awards Night.
• Create production schedules for each Festival-run event and work with the Event Coordinator to implement them.
• Book and arrange venues and equipment for Festival-run events.
• Make or oversee compliance applications for events as needed, such as road closure, building consent or other licences within necessary timeframe.
• Assist with production requirements for Pecha Kucha Night events and the 2010 Midwinter Carnival as needed.

5. Staff & Volunteers

• Recruit and manage suitably qualified and competent venue coordinators and technicians for Festival-run venues by 29 January.
• Oversee the recruitment and management of volunteers by the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2010 Fringe Festival including, but not limited to, roles such as box office, ushers, and event assistants.
• Provide training to volunteers in production roles and ensure they have the skills required to carry out their agreed tasks effectively.
• Ensure all volunteers understand in advance what is expected of them including the specifications of the role they are allocated and time commitment involved.
• To coordinate daily production meetings during the Festival with venue coordinators.
• Work closely with the Director on all Festival run events and venues including ensuring that he is aware of developments that impact on the Festival budget and public relations.

6. Suppliers

• Source quotes from equipment suppliers for Festival venues and events as required and ensure the Festival Director approves spending prior to any commitments being made.
• Liaise and/or meet with suppliers including providing them with written confirmation of what the Festival requires prior to engagement.

7. Safety

• Oversee the development and implementation of safety planning for all Festival-run events and Festival-run venues.
• Ensure production staff, volunteers, artists and contractors are aware of safety procedures prior to use of venue or start of events.
• Organise the purchase or collection of safety equipment and ensure it is available at Festival-run venues and events during the Festival.

8. Other

• Collect supplies, install and operate equipment as needed.
• Coordinate the safe use of any Festival vehicle and ensure it is only used by approved personnel.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of an artist, volunteer, organization and supplier database.
• Oversee the development and use of lists of equipment owned, lent or borrowed and to ensure these are used by appropriate staff.
• Deal politely and professionally with artists, volunteers, suppliers and members of the public.
• Provide the Director with any invoices or receipts provided by a supplier as soon as practical.
• Provide a written report following the Festival using the template provided by the Festival Director.