Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant
Job Description
Company Description Boston University (BU) is a leading private research and teaching institution with three primary campuses in the heart of Boston and academic programs across the globe. Founded in 1869 on principles of inclusion, service, and collaboration with the city of Boston, BU has grown into a diverse and dynamic community. The university welcomes students, faculty, and staff from around the world and supports a culture of innovation and intellectual curiosity. With an alumni network of over 310,000 individuals worldwide, BU provides extensive professional and academic connections for its community. BU also promotes respectful engagement and community standards across its digital platforms, guided by its social media community guidelines.
\n
Role Description The Cinematography Studio Instructional Assistant is a part-time academic support role assigned to scheduled cinematography classes in Studio 518. The role supports the instructor of record during hands-on class activities by assisting with grip/electric setup, safe equipment handling, lighting support, rigging support, demonstrations, troubleshooting, and class-time resets. The focus is faculty-led instruction and student learning during scheduled class periods.
\n
Candidate Profile
\n
The ideal candidate has professional grip/electric experience and the ability to safely support hands-on cinematography instruction. This person should be comfortable in an active studio classroom, able to reinforce safe production practices, and able to assist faculty and students during demonstrations and exercises without serving as the instructor of record.
\n
Key Responsibilities
\n
- \n
- Assist during scheduled cinematography classes with faculty-led studio demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
- Support grip/electric setup, lighting support, rigging support, safe equipment handling, and troubleshooting.
- Help reinforce safe studio practices around lighting instruments, power distribution, overhead rigging, stands, jibs, dollies, track
- systems, and large modifiers.
- Support students as students perform hands-on cinematography work under faculty direction.
- Assist with class-time resets so the studio remains safe and usable throughout the scheduled class block.
- Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor degree or equivalent professional experience in film, television, media production, cinematography, or a related field. The candidate must have hands-on grip/electric experience and working knowledge of professional studio production practices, including lighting, rigging, power distribution, stands, Chapman, Fisher and Matthews dollies, sliders, jibs, track systems, and large modifiers. Prior professional production experience as a dolly grip, grip/electric, electrician, gaffer, key grip, best boy is essential. If called in for an interview the candidate will be asked to disassemble and reassemble the Chapman Peewee dolly in different configurations.
- Experience in higher education or another student-facing instructional environment is preferred. The candidate should be comfortable supporting faculty-led instruction, assisting students during hands-on cinematography exercises, reinforcing safe studio practices, and troubleshooting grip/electric setups during scheduled class periods.
- Required Skills
- Safe handling of light and C-stands, boom arms, lighting fixtures, practical light fixtures, power distribution, and grip rigging.
- Comfort with dollies, sliders, jib arms, track systems, and large modifiers such as 12 x 12 ft silks.
- Sound judgment, situational awareness, and the ability to work safely around students, faculty, lighting instruments, overhead
- rigging, power distribution, and moving production equipment.
- Clear communication, professional conduct, patience, and the ability to reinforce safe grip/electric practices in a studio learning
- environment.
- Reliability, approachability, safety focus, and the ability to support a positive academic environment.
- Working Conditions
- This position works in an active studio/classroom environment. Work is hands-on and occurs primarily during scheduled cinematography classes. The role requires standing for extended periods, moving safely through active class and studio environments, and handling grip/electric equipment, lighting fixtures, stands, modifiers, rigging hardware, cabling, dollies, jibs, and track systems.
- The candidate must have good eyesight, manual dexterity, spatial awareness, and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and position heavy production equipment. The candidate must be comfortable working around high-output lighting, electrical distribution, overhead rigging, ladders, and large modifiers. Ability to lift up to 70 lbs is required. Hours are tied to scheduled class coverage and may vary by semester.
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Recurring Class Coverage (Fall 2026)
\n
Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday
\n
Class Time 10:10 AM - 2:05 PM 2:30 PM - 6:15 PM 2:30 PM - 6:15 PM 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM 2:30 PM - 6:15 PM 2:30 PM - 6:15 PM
\n
Course Intermediate Cinematography Introduction to Cinematography Introduction to Cinematography Advanced Cinematography Intermediate Cinematography Introduction to Cinematography
\n
Duration
\n
Class coverage rounded to 4 hours
\n
Class coverage rounded to 4 hours
\n
Class coverage rounded to 4 hours
\n
Starts with morning class; 8-hour cap
\n
Class coverage rounded to 4 hours
\n
3hr55 min 3hr45 min 3hr45 min 3hr45 min 3hr45 min 3hr45 min
\n
4.0 hrs 4.0 hrs 4.0 hrs
\n
8.0 hrs 4.0 hrs
\n
Proposed Weekly Shift Schedule
\n
Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday
\n
Thursday Friday
\n
Proposed Shift 10:10 AM - 2:10 PM 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
\n
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
\n
Coverage Purpose Proposed shift total is approximately 24.0 hours per week. Sub-4-hour class blocks are rounded to 4 hours. Thursday is capped at 8 hours. The Thursday shift covers the full morning class, the break, and the first 3 hours of the afternoon class. Existing studio support covers the final 45 minutes. Classes start September 2, 2026.
\n
Compensation: This is a temporary part-time, non-benefit-eligible position. The anticipated hiring range is $30-$40 per hour, commensurate with qualifications, relevant professional experience, and demonstrated technical expertise.
\n
\n
Applicants should submit a cover letter, a resume or CV, and contact information for three references. Questions and electronic applications should be sent to ftsearch@bu.edu and addressed to Kellie Innes, Department Administrator.
\n