Artistic Instructor or Assistant Professor of Virtual Production, Non-Tenure track, Fall 2025 at Chapman University in Orange, California

Job Description:

Artistic Instructor or Assistant Professor of Virtual Production, Non-Tenure track, Fall 2025



Location:

Orange Campus

Open Date:

Feb 5, 2025

Description:

Chapman University seeks applications for a non-tenure track Instructor or Assistant Professor position in virtual production for its nationally recognized Dodge College of Film and Media Arts beginning August 1, 2025.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California's most diverse and vibrant regions. The University holds an R2 designation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 133 U.S. universities.  Our faculty include academic leaders who excel in research, publishing, and world-class teaching in our 11 schools and colleges, including Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education, we create an environment for unlimited student and faculty achievement. Industry trade publications The Wrap and The Hollywood Reporter rank Dodge College #4 among film schools nationwide. More information about the university and Dodge College is available at https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/index.aspx.

Key Responsibilities

Faculty duties include teaching, academic advising, and service to Dodge College and Chapman University.  The substantial service responsibilities of the position described below are in addition to instructional duties and are directly tied to the course release.

Primary Appointment

The primary appointment as a non-tenure track faculty member will be pursuant to the University appointment contract for non-tenure track faculty. Faculty responsibilities include:

• Teach Virtual Production and VFX courses.


• Work closely with faculty, staff, and students to plan and execute projects including preparation of assets and production design elements for Virtual Production


• Mentor undergraduate students who are focused on virtual production projects.


• Mentor students throughout their creative journey, from conceptual development to postproduction.


• Develop curriculum to align with current and emerging industry standards


• Explore opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaboration


• Assist the Chair and Program Director in developing relationships with industry to maintain current best practices and facilitate student placement at graduation


• Contribute to developing a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion for all constituents


• Coordinate production collaborations between students and faculty from several Dodge majors, including but not limited to Animation and Visual Effects, Cinematography, Production Design and Creative Producing.

Special Appointment The administrative appointment as Innovation Hub Supervisor will be pursuant to a Special Appointment letter which will set out the specific administrative responsibilities connected with the program. While serving in this role the current teaching load is 12 credits per academic year, a 50% reduction in standard NTT full time faculty course load which releases the professor from half of the usual 24 credit course load.  Responsibilities include:  

Collaborate and guide CTO and technical staff with identifying hardware and software related to AI and Virtual Production and the development and opening of the Innovation Hub.

Oversee the daily operations of the Innovation Hub in conjunction with our Chief Technology Officer.

Advise on integration of AI platforms into the Dodge majors.

Test and assist with installation of hardware and software related to Virtual Production and AI integration in coordination with technical support staff.

Train support staff and students, and coordinate student workers, for classes and productions on the Virtual Production stages.

Coordinate workshops as necessary to train faculty in AI and Virtual Production.

Assist during production shoots on the stages and at the Innovation Hub as needed.

Coordinate and advise on staff training and support for new facilities related to Virtual Production and AI.

Attend conferences and advise full-time faculty on developments in AI and Virtual Productions

Qualifications:

Required

MFA or other terminal degree in film production, a related field, or significant relevant professional experience in virtual production

Experience as a director, cinematographer or supervisor in virtual production on an LED volume stage.

Experience with hardware and software integration, and on-set pipelines such as camera tracking and source control on a virtual production stage.

Advanced knowledge of surfacing, environment set up, lighting and optimization in Unreal as well as experience with blueprints.

Experience directing teams in a VFX asset and shot production pipeline.

Experience using digital content creating software such as Maya, Nuke and Unreal Engine.

The ideal candidate will have professional and teaching experience in one or more areas, including  but not limited to:

o    Demonstrated teaching experience at the university level, encompassing directing and production courses or VFX courses as well as software and other tools currently used in virtual production including Unreal Engine.o    Professional industry experience of 5 years or more in directing or supervision of projects with significant VFX and Virtual Production components as well as traditional live action projects.o    Expertise in Unreal Engine and two or more software packages used to develop content for virtual production, such as, Maya, Nuke or Adobe Substance suite.o    Experience in multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Desired

• Minimum two years of teaching experience  


• CG supervisor experience


• VFX supervision experience


• Extensive understanding of film history, theory and aesthetics

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates are invited to electronically submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Portfolio or reel of professional work

3. Letters of recommendation will be requested as part of the selection process and need not be submitted with the initial application

Inquiries can be directed to Ruth Daly and Madeline Warren, Search Co-Chairs at ftvsearch@chapmn.edu. Use "Virtual Production Faculty Position" as the email subject line.

Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. The salary range for this position is $100,000-$110,000. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience.  This position is contingent on final budget approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Office of Human Resources, DeMille Hall - 140, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866

 

 

 

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