- Title: HardPin Media Chicago Office
- Job Requirements: Must be local to location (or willing to work as a local).
Equipment Associate
About the role:
The Equipment Associate serves as a central point of contact for the equipment needs of the company. This person heavily supports the Producer team in preparing kits for shoots, anticipating equipment needs of the Producer team, managing logistics, ordering, and tracking of equipment, and generally functioning as a go-to on equipment-related issues. This person should have a basic to intermediate understanding of Production equipment used on set, and an eagerness to learn more about HardPin’s equipment and tech uses, specifically. This position is full-time, based in Chicago, and will report into the Director of Production. At a minimum, this person will need to be in the office 2-3 days a week, with the capability to go into the office daily, as needs arise. Our staff currently work remotely, so the office is most often empty, though there is potential for overlap with other staff local to Chicago who go in for various reasons.
About Hardpin Media:
HardPin Media is a multimedia production company founded on the heels of President Obama’s 2012 re-election. Our founding members traveled alongside the president to create inspiring stories of supporters, capture Obama’s backstage moments, cast record-breaking live streams, and help reinforce the narrative of the re-election campaign.
While on the road, we discovered our passion for the use of storytelling to drive home a message. And we saw firsthand how that message, when delivered with empathy and finesse, resonated with so many viewers and inspired them to act.
Since then, HardPin has translated the lessons learned from an inspiring presidential campaign to the world outside of politics.
HardPin's mission is to help support the agents of progressive change. Whether that's a company who is leaning into progressive initiatives, a cause that is fighting to move our country forward, or a candidate who's looking to create positive change in their community, state or country. We're building a team that can help amplify their voices and maximize their impact by creating compelling narratives and helping them find their voice and communicate it to others.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and maintain an organizational system for the equipment (both for productions and employees) owned by HardPin including
Cameras, lenses, lighting
Hard drives (alongside Post-Production)
Office desks
Server equipment
Computers and computer peripherals (keyboards, dock stations, monitors, etc.)
Purchase new equipment to keep us on the cutting edge of the tools that make sense for our business, with supervisor approval
At times, arrange or personally deliver footage to local Post Production team in Chicago
Assist with general office needs- receive deliveries, give building access when needed, office organized and tidy. Coordinate with office landlords for access and repairs
Manage logistics of shipments as needed- gear, hard drives, employee equipment, etc.
Organize and prepare camera packages for shoots across the country and internationally
Organize and order rental equipment for shoots as needed in coordination with Producer, DP and other production staff, and procure new or owned equipment for new staff and freelancers
Test new equipment, in an effort to consistently improve equipment packages.
Coordinate with freelancers and staff DPs to add supplemental gear to their owned equipment.
Manage and create gear rental estimates through Hardpin’s ERP system.
Assist in troubleshooting gear related issues on sets.
Potential of going on set with producers when it doesn’t interfere with other job duties, to better understand tech functionalities and team needs
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
In-office availability 2-3 days per week
Basic-intermediate knowledge of Production equipment
1-3 years of first hand experience with equipment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Proven ability of managing several ongoing projects and deliverables at once
Affinity for tech equipment and gear, with a natural inclination to keep up with latest trends and capabilities
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical demands include regular attendance, keyboarding, ability to use computers and cell phones. Ability to lift and move heavy gear kits (up to 80lbs). Ability to travel by plane, car and other conveyances within the U.S.
HardPin is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in and affirmatively factors diversity into its hiring practices. HardPin encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Applicants will not be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.