Mullican Studio & Volume Wall Manager - College of Entertainment and the Arts and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Mullican Studio & Volume Wall Manager is responsible for managing and operating a virtual production studio equipped with LED volume wall technology in Mullican Studio. This role involves technical setup, real-time operation, troubleshooting, and direct client interaction to ensure seamless production workflows. The technician will work closely with cinematographers, directors, VFX teams, and clients to achieve high-quality virtual production results. In addition, the Manager will oversee the weekly reservations of Student Film Equipment (for both the Cinematic Arts and Communications programs), as well as the general maintenance and organization of the Student Film Equipment Gear Room. There will also be light management duties of several small rooms that host editing and audio suite equipment to assist or troubleshoot on an as needed basis. Will teach two courses related to Volume Wall Technology.

• Act as the primary point of contact for clients and production teams using the studio.
• Guide clients through the studio's technical capabilities, providing demonstrations and recommendations based on production needs.
• Coordinate studio bookings, ensuring proper scheduling and pre-production planning.
• Maintain a welcoming and professional studio environment to enhance the client experience.

Volume Wall Setup & Calibration

• Configure and calibrate LED volume walls, ensuring accurate color balance, brightness, and seamless screen integration.
• Manage video processors, media servers (e.g., Disguise, Unreal Engine, Notch), and camera tracking systems.
• Adjust and optimize real-time rendering settings for in-camera VFX (ICVFX) productions.
• Set up and test LED panels, projectors, and other display systems before production.

Live Operation & Troubleshooting

• Operate the volume wall and associated systems during live production, ensuring real-time adjustments for camera tracking and scene changes.
• Monitor system performance, diagnosing and resolving technical issues quickly to minimize production downtime.
• Work closely with camera operators and directors to align virtual backgrounds with practical sets for realistic integration.
• Ensure latency, frame rate, and synchronization are optimized for smooth playback and visual fidelity.

Technical Maintenance & Upgrades

• Perform routine maintenance on LED panels, media servers, networking equipment, and power systems.
• Keep up with firmware updates and software improvements for volume wall technology.
• Maintain an inventory of spare parts and troubleshoot hardware failures as needed.
• Document configurations, workflows, and best practices for future reference.

Collaboration & Workflow Management

• Work alongside VFX supervisors, cinematographers, and production designers to achieve creative vision within the volume.
• Ensure seamless integration between Unreal Engine or other real-time rendering software and the volume display.
• Train and educate new users or production teams on best practices for virtual production.
• Assist in pre-visualization and virtual scouting to align digital environments with live-action elements.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow safety protocols for operating large-scale LED volumes and associated rigging.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards regarding power distribution, ventilation, and heat management.
• Adhere to studio security and confidentiality protocols, protecting client data and intellectual property.

Student Equipment Reservations

• Hire and manage student workers on a semester basis to cover reservation periods for equipment check ins and checkouts.
• Manage Semester signups and payments of Student insurance through the Cheqroom reservation software.
• Manage the repairs and fix any broken items returned to the gear room on a timely basis.
• Research and Advise the program Chairs and Directors of any equipment needs or issues as they arise, and suggest potential purchases or new equipment needed on a timely basis as budget allows.
• Manage any Equipment leases for timely returns or buyouts of end of lease items.
• Manage the organized labeling, equipment storage and overall cleanliness of the gear room.
• Manage the serial numbers and security of keys, locks and access to secured spaces.

Education

• Studio Manager will teach one class per semester (Volume Wall Intro and Advanced) to students in order to equip them for internships and to utilize wall on Lipscomb film shoots.

Education & Experience:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Film Production, Computer Science, Visual Effects, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years experience working with LED volumes, video walls, or real-time rendering systems in a production environment.

Job Skills:

• Proficiency with LED controllers, video processors (Brompton, Novastar), and media servers (Disguise, Pixera, Unreal Engine, Notch, Resolume).
• Experience with camera tracking systems (e.g., OptiTrack, Mo-Sys, Vive tracking).
• Knowledge of color science, HDR workflows, and calibration tools (CalMAN, LightSpace, etc.).
• Strong networking and system integration skills, including SDI, NDI, HDMI, and Ethernet-based protocols.
• Familiarity with real-time rendering pipelines and virtual production workflows.
• General knowledge of lighting, grip, cameras, lenses, monitors and audio equipment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to troubleshoot under pressure.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills, ensuring a smooth and professional production experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively with filmmakers, VFX teams, and clients to achieve creative goals.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, including weekends, depending on production schedules.
• Ability and willingness to train students and educate them in the technical world.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in virtual production or ICVFX workflows.
• Background in film production, cinematography, or live event broadcasting.
• Certifications in video wall technologies, networking, or media servers.
• Experience integrating motion capture systems with virtual environments.
• Some equipment rental house experience is preferred but not required.
• Some managerial experience is preferred but not required.

This role is ideal for a highly skilled technician who thrives in a fast-paced production environment, balancing technical expertise with client relations. As a key operator in the studio, this technician will ensure seamless, high-quality virtual productions that push the boundaries of storytelling.