Salary - $220 per gig
Job Type: Part Time on a Freelance Basis
Qualifications:
Experience operating a video camera in a multi-camera stage-event setting.
Comfort with cameras, microphones, monitors, headsets, and cables.
Live streaming experience is a plus!
Excellent time-sensitive hand-eye coordination.
Excellent and prompt communication by email and in person.
Flexible schedule with availability on various weekdays and weekends, mornings, days, and/or evenings throughout our season.
Remote Work: No
Schedule: Gigs are assigned several weeks in advance based on your submitted availability.
Work Location: On site at venues in NYC and surrounding counties.
Car: Not required, but videographers with cars receive a car stipend when booked to drive equipment/crew on a gig.
Merelis Productions, Inc. is looking for experienced video camera operators who have worked in theater venues as part of a multi-camera team. Our typical gigs include plays, musicals, concerts, graduations, lectures, and more.
We seek individuals who have experience operating the Canon XF-605 fixed-lens video camera (or similar), and can comfortably set up and operate Atomos monitors, Hollyland headsets, fluid-head tripods, and condenser microphones. We also prefer candidates who can properly coil up to 100' runs of XLR, CAT-6 and power cables using the over-under technique. We provide all equipment/gear.
We would interview you, work with you on a few training gigs, and then start sending you on gigs as the lead Camera 1 videographer. Cam1 is responsible for following the center of attention throughout an event, while adjusting framing, exposure, gain, and zoom in real time, and instructing Cam2 (wide shot) as needed.
Our videography staff includes performers, writers, freelance videographers, editors, musicians, artists, and more. We welcome individuals who are focused on videography as their principal skill, or who have a range of skills including videography. You must have prior experience operating a video camera.
Our videographers:
-Have a flexible/open/adaptable schedule allowing them to take frequent gigs on varying dates and times, including weekday and weekend dates, at times ranging from early morning to night time.
-Are able to submit their available dates several weeks in advance, and commit to gigs that are assigned based on availability.
-Have excellent communication skills and reply to emails promptly.
-Enjoy the performing arts.
-Arrive on time, every time.
-Can work in school and theater venues and collaborate and coordinate politely and efficiently on location.
-Enjoy working with cameras, microphones, monitors, headsets, tripods, and wish to continue to improve their skill set operating a camera in a continuous recording environment behind a live audience.
The time commitment for a single videography gig, including travel, can range from a few hours to a full day, based on the event start time, length, and location. Our team arrives 2-3 hours ahead to set up, and typical events can range from 30 minutes long (a kindergarten play) to 3+ hours long (a long musical). The pay is a flat rate of $220 per gig for Camera 1 (close-up cam, team leader) or $190 per gig for Camera 2 (wide/coverage cam), plus additional pay for non-standard events, and for events with more than 3 hours of continuous videography. Each gig day includes a meal paid for by the company. Our pay rates are not negotiable. Our rates are per gig, not hourly, except when our recording time exceeds 3 hours on a single gig.
Gigs take place on weekdays and weekends during our active season that runs from October through June. Most gigs are in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Connecticut. We classify our staff as employees and pay via W-2 for tax purposes (not 1099). Employment taxes will be withheld from each paycheck. We provide a 401(k) and ROTH 401(k) benefit to all employees, with up to 4% matching contributions.
Please read the following:
-This is part-time and seasonal work, not a full-time job.
-Candidates must be available for in-person interviews in the Bronx.
-Priority will be given to applicants with open availability in their schedule.
-As many of our events are in schools, we seek applicants who are comfortable working in a school environment, with good communication and reliability.
-You should live within NYC (only Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx) and have access to the subway. Exceptions can be made for videographers with full time use of their own vehicles.
-Applicants with a car available will be given strong consideration. We pay a $45 stipend if we book you to drive equipment/crew on a gig.
-We will consider all applicants who respond to this posting in a detailed way. We are looking for intelligent, interesting, creative people to join our team of freelancers.
Ok, you’ve made it this far. Keep reading!
If you already applied to one of our other job postings, please do not apply again. Those applications are currently in process, and applicants with appropriate experience will be considered for Cam1 positions.
TO APPLY: Please send us your resume and your answers to the following questions. You must answer the questions to be considered for the job:
1) Videography: What drew you to this job posting? Describe your experience working on a multi-camera team recording live stage events with an in-person audience.
2) Skills: Why do you believe you have good reflex-based hand-eye coordination?
3) Availability: How would an additional freelance job fit into your existing schedule? What is your availability during the first two weeks in June? Please be as specific about your current work schedule as you can, even if it is variable.
4) Other Work/Life: What are your current creative and income-producing pursuits?
5) Transportation: Do you have a car that you are willing to use for gigs, with front driver and passenger air-bags? If so, what is the make/model/year? If not, are you amenable to using our corporate Zipcar account and driving a Zipcar paid for by the company? Do you have any issue with being a passenger in one of our employees' cars or Zipcars?
6) In what borough and neighborhood do you reside for the foreseeable future?
7) If you could videotape any event or performance – past, present, future, or imaginary – what would it be and why?
We are looking to fill multiple slots on our roster at this time. Select candidates will be scheduled for interviews by phone or zoom and at our home office in the Pelham Gardens neighborhood of The Bronx, a 10 minute walk from the 5 train.
