Line Producer - Development (Disney Television Animation)

The Line Producer in Development drives the production of pilots, animation tests, and other deliverables with a mindset towards embracing the creative discovery process inherent in development. The ultimate goal is to lead a project and team to make development deliverables the best they can be, and help set up the project for a potential greenlight and successful series launch. This position partners with Development and creative leadership (EPs, Directors, Story Editors, Production Management, Current Series, Development, and vendor studios) to define the creative goals of the pilot and other deliverables and leads the team to achieve those goals.

Responsibilities:

• Understand the creative goals of the project and balance the competing pressures of the production: creative vision, schedule, and budget.

• Strong ability to pivot when creative or platform changes impact pilot and deliverables, schedule, or budget.

• Able to re-prioritize frequently, work within fluid parameters, and lead change managagement.

• Lead your teams through uncertain stretches of a project, continually redefining the goals for that period of time. Keep the team focused on the end result and help them understand that development projects can change shape multiple times while in production.

• Communicate clearly and facilitate the flow of information to the development teams, internal production partners and the external production studio.

• Present information to SVP, VP and Executive Producer level leadership. Confidently problem solve issues with the senior leadership of Development and the studio.

• Work with Development Production and Creative Executives, Production Finance, Business Affairs and other departments to manage and review the budget, approve invoices, negotiate service agreements, and forecast annual budget needs.

• Understands animation processes and how to manage complexity, including asset counts, footage, character density/count, animation quotas, retakes, overtime and other metrics, and how those factors impact the budget.

• Identify production companies that have the talent necessary to work on a TVA show.

• Liaison with the production studio doing the work – provide them with materials, access to key creative talent at Disney, and other resources they will need to complete the development work.

• Communicate the production schedule to the external production company and manage any changes to that schedule.

• Partner with the Creative Executives at TVA to hire resources for each project as necessary. This could include freelance talent, daily call employees and production companies.

• Drives the series preparation process, including preliminary budget, schedules, and other discussions with show creators, Development and Creative Executives, and other departments for a smooth transition to greenlight of the series.

• Mentor first-time creative leaders in development on the production aspects of leading a series at TVA.

• Be forward thinking: plan ahead and anticipate what will come next. Identify problems and propose solutions.

Required Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Animation Production, Visual Effects Production, Game Production, or equivalent.

• Ability to forecast budgets and create original budgets from scratch. Deep understanding of cash flow forecasts and individual project budgets.

• Proven ability to manage multiple small projects simultaneously.

• Proven ability to evaluate the creative talent of individual artists and production companies, including evaluating art work, digital media, and technical capabilities.

• Strong customer service, consultative and partnering skills.

• Very strong presentation and Executive Presence skills.

• Priority Experience: pipeline knowledge of CG Animation (not required, but a benefit to have awareness or even experience in realtime toolsets)

• Secondary Experience: pipeline knowledge of 2D Animation (traditional & Harmony)

• Proven networking capabilities with professional organizations, creative groups, alumni associations, etc.

• Excellent organizational, verbal and writing skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to multitask.

• Positive attitude and ability to be extremely flexible in a non-static environment. Proven ability to solve problems and interact with a wide variety of personalities.

What does success look like?:

A successful Development Line Producer:

• has a strong relationship with the company’s creative leadership and other key creative talent

• Is flexible and able to pivot as projects move forward, stall and change shape daily

• is connected to an excellent network of creative talent (both internal and freelance) available to do single assignment work or various projects as needed

• strategizes about how to solve production problems and suggests solutions

• manages the schedule and budget while balancing the creative needs of the show

• is able to forecast spending requirements on a project and manage a budget once it is set

• communicates well with the studio leadership, and any external production companies working on the projects in development

• understands how the processes at TVA work and who to speak with to get things done

• builds relationships with and across departments and stakeholders

• creates an environment where people are valued for their contributions and feel engaged in their work

• Innovates in the role: brings new ideas and processes to the Line Producer role and Production Management team

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Employer--Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

The hiring range for this position in California is $90,500 to $124,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also 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.