Production Coordinator

About Free Spirit Media

Free Spirit Media (FSM) partners with young storytellers to transform media and society. We do this through our holistic programming which focuses on community-building, skill-sharing and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures within the media industry and beyond.

FSM’s goal is to support young storytellers as they form robust and sustainable support systems, gain the skills needed to pursue employment in their creative fields, and understand the powerful and important gifts they bring to the world. FSM’s media arts education and creative workforce investment programs are designed to break down barriers to access, success and leadership for emerging media makers and storytellers from Chicago’s West and South sides.

Located on the West Side of Chicago for 24 years, FSM is located at BUILD, Inc. in the Austin neighborhood. Our collectively realized organizational values are: Young Artist Leadership, Creativity, Belonging, Transformation & Intergenerational Collaboration.

Overview of the Role

The Production Coordinator is a vital part of Free Spirit Media's youth-centered programs. This role is the backbone for the logistical and operational success of our video-based projects, including the development of three distinct short films (experimental, narrative, and/or documentary) for our Creative Pathways program and our commercial video production work. More than just a logistical position, this is a mentorship role. The Production Coordinator will work closely with our young creators (teens aged 11-18 and young adults aged 18-24), industry partners, and Teaching Artists. The Production Coordinator will not only coordinate the practical side of filmmaking but also support participants' growth, learning, and creative process from start to finish. The Production Coordinator will ensure the successful completion of film and media productions from concept to culmination. This is an ideal opportunity for an organized and proactive individual who is passionate about both youth development and media/film production in a community-based setting. The Production Coordinator will primarily support programs at our location at Build Inc. (5100 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60644) and at partnering sites.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will have a strong background in film or media production and a proven understanding of the full filmmaking process, from screenwriting and pre-production through to post-production and final delivery. This individual must possess a genuine passion for youth development and have experience working effectively with diverse groups of young people, aged 11-24. Exceptional organizational and project management skills are a must, along with a proactive approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving. The role requires strong communication and a collaborative spirit to work effectively with students, teaching artists, and industry partners in a community-based setting. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing equity, youth voice, and believe in the power of art and storytelling as a medium for social transformation.

Core Responsibilities

• Coordination of logistical aspects for media arts programming and film production, including technology and gear, scheduling, equipment management, and material procurement.
• Provide on-site oversight and support of media and film production projects, leading training, setup, breakdown, and ensuring all necessary resources are available for production activities.
• Help manage and organize media equipment, supplies, and digital assets, ensuring they are well-maintained, organized, and accessible for all programs.
• Support the development of emerging filmmakers in the Creative Pathways Young Adult Program (ages 18-24). This includes guiding them through the production of commercial projects and short films from initial concept to final premiere.
• Support the planning and execution of culminating events, screenings, and showcases for youth-produced media and filmmaking projects.
• Cultivate and maintain community agreements within production spaces, fostering a respectful and welcoming environment for young people, staff, guests, and community members.
• Documenting production progress and young people’s work.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate with the Program Manager, partners, mentors, teaching artists, and young people to ensure production success.
• Support opportunities for youth-led programming and decision-making within media projects, aligning with FSM’s commitment to youth voice and power-building.

Qualifications/Requirements

• 2-4 years of experience in film and media production, administrative support, or a similar logistical role. Experience in a youth development or arts organization is preferred.
• Production knowledge and understanding of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production. This includes a proven ability to manage production schedules, budgets, and technical resources like technology, gear, and equipment.
• Experience working with and mentoring young people, particularly with ages 18-24. Must be able to guide and support emerging filmmakers through the creative and technical challenges of production.
• A strong belief in the power of young storytellers to lead social change and a commitment to FSM’s values of equity, inclusion, belonging, and racial justice.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, based on program and production schedules.
• Must be able to pass a background check to work with children in Illinois.

Work Requirements

This is a part-time staff position, averaging 20 hours per week. While the work primarily involves direct production support, logistical coordination, and administrative tasks, evening and weekend hours will be required based on production and program schedules.