California Institute of the Arts

Information & Responsibilities

The Film Directing Program (FDP) in the School of Film / Video at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) seeks a full time faculty with a focus on writing for film and moving image. We are looking for a screenwriter and/or filmmaker where writing is a focus of their practice. We seek applicants with experience in and awareness of a multiplicity of cinema and screen forms.

The Film Directing Program fosters the individual voice of the filmmaker in developing innovative approaches to narrative in cinema. We embrace narrative filmmaking as a tool to describe and depict the world and celebrate its potential to create new realities, new systems and new relations.

We are interested in applicants with a broad background and practice in narrative film with a willingness to embrace multiple filmmaking and scripting processes, from traditional dramaturgy to adaptation to process based and collaborative creation, with an awareness of a broad range of cinemas and histories. Candidates should have an ability to mentor and advise around professional paths as a writer for film and moving image, as well as advising filmmakers and directors in writing for their own work.

We seek someone with a tangible and demonstrable interest in or love for teaching who sees teaching as a part of their creative practice.

In particular, we seek applicants with focus on and awareness of international cinema forms or practice and/or whose work foregrounds the diasporic experience and/or stories of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, AAPI, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or Disabled communities.

The Film Directing Program:

Grounded in the history of narrative cinema, the Film Directing Program curriculum provides a rich understanding of the fundamental aesthetic and technical components of narrative filmmaking, including staging and visual design, screenwriting, acting and working with actors, narrative theory, cinematography, sound and editing, and a broad variety of graduate-level seminars in contemporary and historical cinemas and practices.

The program embraces a diverse range of aesthetics and traditions, encouraging students to explore their individual voice within a constant questioning and expansion of the definition of narrative cinema itself. The work our students make is aesthetically diverse, exploring a variety of methodologies from independent narrative filmmaking to hybrid and experimental narrative practices.

Students in the Film Directing Program are diverse in identity and perspective; over 70% of our community comes from outside the United States, from such countries as Iran, Iceland, China, Taiwan, Colombia, South Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil (among many others).

This multiplicity of perspectives deepens our conversations and awareness of the multitude of experiences, realities and voices that surround us. These unique and rich perspectives are an essential part of our program, which are central to our understanding of the practice of creating images, constructing stories and questioning representation.

We seek to employ faculty who can engage our diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. We welcome candidates who possess a demonstrated worldview and cultural competency to support teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students of varied backgrounds, capabilities, perspectives, social identities and gender expressions. CalArts is an equal opportunity employer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will design and teach writing courses, mentor and work independently with students, and take a lead role in collaboratively working with the rest of the core faculty to develop the role of writing for film and moving image, narrative form and ideas of narrative structure into FDP’s unique and individualized curriculum.

SALARY RANGE:

Reflecting its experimental mission and commitment to non-hierarchical pedagogy, CalArts does not have a conventional tenure-rank system but offers renewable multi-year contracts, a step-based faculty salary advancement plan (FSAP, 2021-22*) and a merit program. Starting salary for this position is in the range of $67,650 – $82,000, depending on experience. Compensation also includes full benefits and a paid creative leave semester every 7 years.

For more information about FSAP and merit policy at CalArts: https://calarts.edu/academics/office-of-the-provost/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment

Requirements

Applicants should have clear and evidenced experience as a writer for film and/or moving image and demonstrable teaching experience of intermediate and advanced filmmakers or students.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on 12/30/21. For full consideration please apply by that date. Please go to this link to apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/98268

Please provide:

• A cover letter that describes your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, approach to teaching, and a reflection on your past accomplishments and future potential to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just academic and creative environment.

• A syllabus or brief proposal for at least two (2) courses that reflect your interests as a practitioner and teacher (250 words)

• A current CV

• Up to three (3) work samples: you may submit written samples and/or moving image. You must have a writing credit on moving image samples or be able to explain your role as writer in it.

• Names and contact information for three references.

All submissions are confidential.

Equity & Diversity

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) seeks to employ faculty who can engage our diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. Across the range of practitioners from artists to scholars and librarians, we welcome candidates who possess a demonstrated worldview and cultural competency to support teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students of varied backgrounds, capabilities, perspectives, social identities and gender expressions. CalArts is an equal opportunity employer.

Further Information

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist’s growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.