Executive Producer

Company Description

Mikros Animation is a global CGI animation studio located in Paris, Montreal, Los Angeles, Bangalore and London, dedicated to feature films and episodic content. Since its inception, Mikros Animation has always put creativity and CG artistry at the heart of its animation and production activities, allowing our artists to work across a great variety of stories with a high level of stylized craft. So far, Mikros Animation has contributed to ten released feature animations and numerous high-quality animated series, for the world’s best-known animation studios, either as a creative studio, line producer or executive producer.

At Mikros Animation, we believe great animation is about making real connections with real people. By partnering with filmmakers to unite their creative visions with our industry-leading craftsmanship and artistry, we create characters that connect with audiences on an authentic and emotional level to bring powerful stories to life.

Job Description

In collaboration with the Head of Production and the Line Producer, the Executive Producer is involved from the very beginning of the project. They take part in the acquisition of new projects thanks to their excellent knowledge in the industry, the Studios and the films in preparation.

They are usually the first point of contact for the client when bidding on new projects. They complete the sales pitch and represent Mikros Animation. They also put together a global schedule that goes with the first bid. Based on the first calls, the EP refines the bid and the strategy (split the work across multiple locations, for example) with the Global Head of Production.

During the pre-production phase, EP’s read scripts, analyze the film’s complexity, and quickly draw an initial estimate. They lead the commercial discussion with the client and refine his estimate as the brief becomes clearer. They also draft an initial global schedule very early on to assess the project’s feasibility. They are the primary contact with the client during this phase.

Once the project is awarded, Executive Producers remains the key contact for the Studio. participate in a high-level meeting to discuss strategy, budget, the artistic direction of the project, recruitment, schedule, quotas…

During the production phase, EP’s works closely with the Line Producer to establish a consistent overall schedule and present it to the client (order of sequences, quotas, milestones, start and end dates of the departments…). They discuss the quotas and targets with the creative team every week.

The EP needs to see the big picture and does not have to go in all the reviews, but has a solid understanding of all the fabrication steps of a CG animated movie.

In collaboration with the Line Producer, you will present a consistent and robust team to the client, solve problems when they appear and communicate solutions to the client. EP’ must keep an overview of the project to anticipate problems.

The EP is deeply involved with the recruitment of the key employees (VFX Sups, CG Sups, Animation Director, Art Director, …) and reports back to the client when they have a say on these positions.

He’s establishing the critical assumptions document with the Line Producer and drafting the cash flow schedule with the Finance team.

The EP will work on the cost report every month and present it to the Studio. When necessary, producing and discussing Change Orders with the client is also part of their task.

Responsibilities

• Bid for new projects/clients
• First point of contact with the client for new projects under bid
• Draft quotes based on scenarios, breakdowns or animatics. Discss with the client to understand the specifics of the film
• Have financial discussions with the client to explain the logic of the quote and refine the financial quotation accordingly
• Create a master schedule based on quotes and discussions with the Head of Production to assess the feasibility of the project
• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports on the work in progress and the remaining work to be produced
• Create a detailed short to medium-term plan for supervisors and artists
• Ensure that the team is aware of and operating to meet the objectives and delivery dates of sequences, R&D projects, etc.
• Work closely with the Supervisors to ensure that the schedule and quality of the project are met
• In collaboration with the studio teams and operations management, plan the material resources of the Studio.

Qualifications

• Five years experience in production management of animated feature film
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills
• Experience in team management, negotiation and project management
• Fluent in English
• Knowledge of Excel and project management tools

Mikros Animation