Creative Fellow in Filmmaking - School of English, Drama and Creative Studies

School of English, Drama and Creative Studies

Grade 7

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7.33, salary £36,914

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full Time/FTC until 30th September 2021

Closing date: 3rd November 2020

Job Summary

The University of Birmingham wishes to appoint a full-time Creative Fellow in Filmmaking with effect from 1st January 2021 (or as soon as possible thereafter in consideration of work and travel restrictions due to Covid 19) for nine months. The Creative Fellowship in Filmmaking is fixed-term for 9 months and the work of the Fellow will feature as part of the collaboration between the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, where the Global Women's Health project is located, and the Department of Film and Creative Writing. We seek to provide the successful applicant with the time and support to develop and complete an original documentary that will be integral to the Global Women's Health project in terms of public engagement, impact and attracting further funding. The Fellowship is open to established professional filmmakers engaged in documentary practice that are able to bring innovation, autonomy and a collaborative work ethic to a commissioned and supervised project requiring sensitivity to the subject and audio-visual expertise. In addition, the Creative Fellow in Filmmaking is expected to contribute to the intellectual, creative and cultural life of the University and to deliver six hours per week of training, support and instruction for students involved in creative practice in filmmaking at undergraduate and Masters level.

Main Duties

• To develop and complete an original, creative documentary (60-90 minutes) that will describe and illustrate a major international research project based in Birmingham and operating in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa and Sri Lanka on the global challenges and treatment of bleeding after childbirth and death during childbirth. In the event of limitations on the venture due to the pandemic (e.g. travel restrictions, filming remotely), the Creative Fellow will be able and expected to adapt to the online context and available resources, completing the documentary within the period of the fellowship.
• To deliver this documentary as the focal point for a website created by the Creative Fellow that will have embedded within it complementary short films and documentation providing relevant information on different aspects of the project, all of which will tell the story of childbirth across various cultures, focusing on not only capturing the drama, but also sharing experiences as well as life-saving knowledge and expertise in order to enhance public engagement and make the case to extend this project to more high-risk countries.
• To work with current staff in Film and Creative Writing to deliver six hours per week of training, support and instruction to undergraduate and postgraduate students on filmmaking modules. This will include support during camera exercises and when using Premiere Pro in post production (Mac based) as well as helping to maintain filmmaking equipment and in its distribution. It will also include instruction in technical skills and the production of practical filmmaking teaching resources for Canvas such as making online training videos for students.
• To explore and maintain a pedagogic role during the project that informs the research culture at the University of Birmingham and elsewhere of the documentary and the project that it represents (e.g. screenings, presentations, festival submissions).

Person Specification

• The University does not require any academic or professional qualifications for the award of a Creative Fellowship
• No particular creative style or approach is favoured but the documentary practice must respond to the demands of a commissioned work to favour and enable public engagement and make the case for further funding for the Global Women's Health project.
• The Creative Fellowship in Filmmaking is open to applicants with an established reputation. Applicants will be able to demonstrate expertise and experience of documentary filmmaking and of working in collaboration (within an academic or related environment).
• Applicants may work remotely while the safety protocols occasioned by the pandemic are in place and, if possible, will be willing to travel for filming purposes to some or all of the countries in which the current project operates (Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa an Sri Lanka).
• The Creative Fellow will be resourceful and adaptable. If the pandemic persists and maintains or creates travel restrictions and the need to film remotely, the Creative Fellow will nevertheless be able and willing to adapt to online filmmaking practices and still complete the documentary within the period of the fellowship.
• A demonstrable record of current, professional and innovative creative practice in documentary filmmaking is essential (e.g. cinema and/or television release and/or online release and/or festival participation).
• Applicants should have experience of sharing their skills and expertise with others (e.g. presenting their audio-visual work, mentoring fellow professionals or previous experience in teaching).
• Proven ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Proven ability to design and deliver activity within agreed schedules.

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community'

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