Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant

Boston University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant at Boston University’s College of Communication supports hands-on cinematography classes in Studio 518. You will assist with grip/electric setup, lighting, rigging, and demonstrations under the instructor of record, helping students learn safe production practices.

This temporary, part-time role is non-benefit-eligible and requires readiness to work with scheduled class blocks (approx. 24 hours per week). Prior studio experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in film/television or related field.
• Hands-on grip/electric experience and knowledge of studio production practices.
• Experience with lighting, rigging, power distribution, dollies, jibs, and track systems.
• Experience in higher education or student-facing instructional environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist during scheduled cinematography classes with demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
• Support grip/electric setup, lighting, rigging, safe equipment handling, and troubleshooting.
• Help reinforce safe studio practices around lighting instruments, power distribution, overhead rigging, stands, and modifiers.
• Assist with class-time resets so the studio remains safe and usable during scheduled blocks.

Skills

Grip/Electric experience

Cinematography support

Studio safety

Classroom support

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Chapman Peewee Dolly

Dolly/rigging systems

Lighting equipment

Rigging hardware

Job description

The Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant is a part-time academic support role assigned to scheduled cinematography classes in Studio 518. The role supports the instructor of record during hands-on class activities by assisting with grip/electric setup, safe equipment handling, lighting support, rigging support, demonstrations, troubleshooting, and class-time resets. The focus is faculty-led instruction and student learning during scheduled class periods.

Monday 10:10 AM - 2:10 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Tuesday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Wednesday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Thursday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Starts with morning class; 8-hour cap 8.0 hrs

Friday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Proposed shift total is approximately 24.0 hours per week. Sub-4-hour class blocks are rounded to 4 hours. Thursday is capped at 8 hours. The Thursday shift covers the full morning class, the break, and the first 3 hours of the afternoon class. Existing studio support covers the final 45 minutes.

This is a temporary part-time, non-benefit-eligible position.

Experience / Skills

The Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant is a part-time academic support role assigned to scheduled cinematography classes in Studio 518. The role supports the instructor of record during hands-on class activities by assisting with grip/electric setup, safe equipment handling, lighting support, rigging support, demonstrations, troubleshooting, and class-time resets. The focus is faculty-led instruction and student learning during scheduled class periods.

Monday 10:10 AM - 2:10 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Tuesday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Wednesday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Thursday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Starts with morning class; 8-hour cap 8.0 hrs

Friday 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Class coverage rounded to 4 hours 4.0 hrs

Proposed shift total is approximately 24.0 hours per week. Sub-4-hour class blocks are rounded to 4 hours. Thursday is capped at 8 hours. The Thursday shift covers the full morning class, the break, and the first 3 hours of the afternoon class. Existing studio support covers the final 45 minutes.

This is a temporary part-time, non-benefit-eligible position.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate has professional grip/electric experience and the ability to safely support hands-on cinematography instruction. This person should be comfortable in an active studio classroom, able to reinforce safe production practices, and able to assist faculty and students during demonstrations and exercises without serving as the instructor of record.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist during scheduled cinematography classes with faculty-led studio demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
• Support grip/electric setup, lighting support, rigging support, safe equipment handling, and troubleshooting.
• Help reinforce safe studio practices around lighting instruments, power distribution, overhead rigging, stands, jibs, dollies, track systems, and large modifiers.
• Support students as they perform hands-on cinematography work under faculty direction.
• Assist with class-time resets so the studio remains safe and usable throughout the scheduled class block.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in film, television, media production, cinematography, or a related field. The candidate must have hands-on grip/electric experience and working knowledge of professional studio production practices, including lighting, rigging, power distribution, stands, Chapman, Fisher and Matthews dollies, sliders, jibs, track systems, and large modifiers. Prior professional production experience as a dolly grip, grip/electric, electrician, gaffer, key grip, or best boy is essential. If called in for an interview, the candidate will be asked to disassemble and reassemble the Chapman Peewee dolly in different configurations.

Experience in higher education or another student-facing instructional environment is preferred. The candidate should be comfortable supporting faculty-led instruction, assisting students during hands-on cinematography exercises, reinforcing safe studio practices, and troubleshooting grip/electric setups during scheduled class periods.

Required Skills

• Safe handling of light and C-stands, boom arms, lighting fixtures, practical light fixtures, power distribution, and grip rigging.
• Comfort with dollies, sliders, jib arms, track systems, and large modifiers such as 12 x 12 ft silks.
• Sound judgment, situational awareness, and the ability to work safely around students, faculty, lighting instruments, overhead rigging, power distribution, and moving production equipment.
• Clear communication, professional conduct, patience, and the ability to reinforce safe grip/electric practices in a studio learning environment.
• Reliability, approachability, safety focus, and the ability to support a positive academic environment.

Working Conditions

This position works in an active studio/classroom environment. Work is hands-on and occurs primarily during scheduled cinematography classes. The role requires standing for extended periods, moving safely through active class and studio environments, and handling grip/electric equipment, lighting fixtures, stands, modifiers, rigging hardware, cabling, dollies, jibs, and track systems.

The candidate must have good eyesight, manual dexterity, spatial awareness, and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and position heavy production equipment. The candidate must be comfortable working around high-output lighting, electrical distribution, overhead rigging, ladders, and large modifiers. Ability to lift to 70 lbs is required. Hours are tied to scheduled class coverage and may vary by semester.

About College of Communication, Boston University

Among the Best Universities for Film and Television

The BU College of Communication is regularly ranked among the best universities for film and TV. Our award-winning film and TV degree program faculty have experience writing, producing, and directing work for networks from Netflix to Disney. Our alumni hold prestigious roles at companies and production houses like NBCUniversal and VICE Media, creating a network that spans all the way from Boston to LA and around the world.

"BU COM is among the best universities for film according to the Hollywood Reporter, Variety, TheWrap, and more for 2024"