Head Projectionist

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee seeks a part-time Head Projectionist to oversee the Union Cinema projection booth, train student staff, and ensure high-quality screenings for academic and public events.

You will work evenings and weekends, handle 35mm/16mm/DCP formats, manage print trafficking, and coordinate with Film Faculty and Arts Manager to support programming.

Qualifications

• Must be a current student at UW-Milwaukee.
• Minimum 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Two years of film projection experience preferred.
• Experience with 35mm, 16mm, DCP, and consumer formats.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide projection services for academic and public events across formats (35mm, 16mm, DCP, digital).
• Train and supervise student staff projectionists.
• Inspect, repair, and prepare film prints for screenings and manage print trafficking.
• Maintain logs, inventory, and communications with distributors and staff.
• Collaborate with Arts Manager and Union Cinema leadership on scheduling and events.

Skills

Projection expertise

Organizational skills

Staff training

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

UW-Milwaukee student

Vocational training/related experience

Tools

35mm projector

16mm projector

DCP

AV equipment

Job description

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The Head Projectionist is one of a triad of student managers who oversee the Union Cinema. The Head Projectionist has broad responsibility for the Cinema projection booth, participating in oversight and training of all student projectionists. They are responsible for developing and maintaining standard operating procedures for the projection booth.

The Head Projectionist is responsible for inspecting and projecting film and digital media for public screenings, curricular screenings, and film festivals held at the Union Cinema. This person should have expertise in the public presentation of film and video and have working knowledge projecting 35mm, 16mm, DCP, and consumer formats; basic AV equipment and terminology; experience with AV support for live presentations (mics, audio, and PC/Mac platforms); must exhibit exceptional judgment, be well-organized, dedicated, efficient, punctual, and communicative.

Working within the framework of the Union Cinema, the Head Projectionist is in constant communication with the Arts Manager, Cinema Programmer, and Operations Manager, and interacts frequently with department faculty and campus visitors, providing a consistently high level of support for the myriad operations of the Union Cinema.

Working evening and weekend events will be a necessary component of the job. Work schedule is divided into screening shifts based on semester programming schedule, with afternoon, evening, and weekend hours required.

The position is part-time between 15-20 hours/week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Expertise in film and video projection.
• Provides projection services for both academic and public events using a variety of formats including 35mm, 16mm, DCP, digital and consumer formats.
• Works with Film Faculty to coordinate and facilitate the weekly Experimental screening series.
• Conducts training and supervision of student staff projectionists.
• Performs film inspection and repair.
• Prepares all film prints for screenings, including inspection and repair of film prints loaned from distributors and archives.
• Maintains proper storage conditions for all film prints, test reels, equipment, etc.
• Documents film condition and maintain screening and inspection logs.
• Monitor the Projection email
• Is in charge of print trafficking as well as shipping and receiving. This includes:
• Update print trafficking spreadsheet
• Download links, making DCPs, making return label the evening of the show, having the team pack the shipment – projectionist
• Managing communications with distributors
• Occasionally connecting with Mail Services and the Union Loading Dock
• Applies experience and skills to support the planning, development and execution of audio-visual productions with moderate supervision for Arts Manager.
• Researches, develops, installs, and may operate and troubleshoot audio-visual systems, such as Zoom q&a, digital media and desktop and network-based technologies.
• Proper operation and routine maintenance of all equipment utilized in the exhibition of films in the Union Cinema
• Alongside Arts Manger, arranges non-routine maintenance with contracted film equipment technicians
• Performs other related work as needed.
• Communicates with House Managers regarding problems with projection or special needs of audience
• Keeps regular inventory and notifies Arts Manger of any restocking and resupply needs
• Alongside of Arts Manager, conducts interviews and hiring of new projectionists
• Alongside of Arts Manager, conducts performance reviews of all projectionist at the end of each academic semester.
• Meets with Union Cinema Programmer to discuss specific projection needs weekly to bi-weekly basis

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Meet as needed with Programmer and Operations Manager.
• Other duties as may be assigned by Arts Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Must be a current student at UW-Milwaukee.
• Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in a related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of film projection experience.
• Working in a university environment or art house.
• Working in repertory cinema highly desirable.

TECHNICAL SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE:

• Expertise in the public presentation of film and video.
• Familiarity with 35mm, 16mm, DCP, digital and consumer formats (DVD, BluRay, VHS, etc.).
• Basic AV equipment and terminology.
• Proficiency in Simplex and Eastman projectors is highly desirable.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES:

• Work under pressure; self-motivated; prompt and reliable.
• Work with limited supervision.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, which includes frequent, professional interaction with faculty and visiting filmmakers.
• Handle multiple concurrent projects in a competent and professional manner while also managing details and meeting deadlines.
• Act independently, decisively, and with good judgment, coupled with the ability to keep colleagues and supervisors appropriately informed and involved.
• Sort autonomously, taking initiative and without detailed instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion at all times.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Reasoning skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Lift up to 50 lbs.
• Bend and stoop.
• Stand for periods of up to 2 hours.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.
• Frequent solitary work.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 15-20 hours per week.