Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are...
When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
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Your New Role
This is a key role in managing the visual effects for WBD films. The role is responsible for working in an executive capacity on shows prior to a visual effects team being hired or if show is too small, this executive will handle it through production. The role will also be providing high-level oversight to ensure the visual effects are delivered at a high quality, on time and on budget.
Your Role Accountabilities
- Responsible for breaking down scripts to create a visual effects (VFX) department overhead and shot/asset budget for overall show budgeting purposes.
- Generates, oversees and updates detailed Visual Effects breakdowns and budgets. Determines overall VFX Production Methodology by reviewing scripts and storyboards and discerning appropriate effects related issues from the material, such a location, practicality, filmmaking reality and safety. Assumes methodology when only a script is available at those early stages and then budgets to those assumptions.
- Vets all facility VFX teams including VFX supervisor, VFX Producer, vendor VFX supervisor, vendor VFX producer, animation supervisor and CG supervisor.
- Acts as a direct project manager on smaller shows that do not have a designated VFX team assigned to them and liaises between production, editorial, and vendors including tracking shots from shoot through final delivery while managing all aspects of VFX budget.
- Ensures accurate financial reporting during all phases of Production. Works with VFX Financial colleagues to ensure all financial reporting is accurate as well as ensures shows are not "underwater" and payments align with work completed. Brings any and all financial concerns to the prompt attention of senior management.
- Directs materials (breakdowns, artwork, etc) for distribution to multiple Visual Effects companies for bidding. Collaborates with EVP on identifying companies to bid.
- In partnership with the EVP Visual Effects helps manage the Visual Effects overhead team and identifies VFX production team including VFX supervisor and VFX producer candidates
- Reviews weekly status reports submitted by the VFX production staff, ensuring accuracy, including financial updates in collaboration with the Financial team and VFX producer. Verifies the correctness of the VFX producer and show accountant databases, and reviews weekly reconciliations of the status reports.
- Facilitates weekly meetings with the VFX production teams to review and address both current and potential issues. Participates in all designated show meetings and takes detailed, accurate notes on the current status of each project, including identifying any issues that, while not directly related to VFX, are important for overall awareness.
- Monitors all VFX vendor contracts and schedules to ensure contractual deliveries are met. Reviews Visual Effects contracts, ensuring adherence to VFX policies pertaining to retaining assets, credit guidelines, etc. Updates credits as shows go through production process.
- Reviews Change Orders and other financial documents with EVP for approvals.
- Works directly with other WB departments including production, legal, finance and
- Reviews all turnovers with creative team to ensure expectations are being met via dailies or Pix. Gathers work in progress and finals dailies to show to studio heads once a week in dailies or via Pix. Provides feedback and notes to production during dallies.
- Oversees delivery schedules, both to the vendor for turnovers and back to the production to ensure the work is being completed as contracted.
Qualifications and Experience
- High school diploma required.
- College degree preferred. Film studies would be a significant plus.
- Mac skills required. Proficiency with Excel required.
- Knowledge of database programs such as Shotgrid, Filemaker, and Pix is required
- Thorough knowledge of the Visual Effects process is essential (from budgeting to final delivery of films)
- Experience in estimating and production management of Visual Effects is essential.
- Must be very well rounded in VFX including some freelance and facility work experience.
- Must be energetic, possess a positive attitude, and demonstrate the ability to handle challenging situations with ease and professionalism when they arise
- Must have a general knowledge of hedges, rebates, hot costs, change orders
- Must have general knowledge of all current VFX tools and methodologies on the market and stays up to date with new VFX technologies.
How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $196,000.00 - $364,000.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.
If you're a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.