VP Physical Production

Job Summary

Overview

The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences.  The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; and The Chicago Theatre.  Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL); two development league teams –  the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, MSG’s NBA 2K League franchise.  In addition, the Company features the popular original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England’s preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival.  Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group Hospitality, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment, dining and nightlife brands including Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, Beauty & Essex and Cathédrale.  More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

The Madison Square Garden Company’s vision is to revolutionize entertainment through MSG Sphere – state-of-the-art venues that will pioneer the next generation of immersive experiences and create unforgettable moments. MSG Sphere will utilize a number of cutting-edge technologies to become the first venue to deliver large-scale, fully immersive experiences. Inside the venue, these technologies include: the largest and highest resolution LED screen on Earth; an advanced acoustics system featuring beamforming technology; an infrasound haptic system that uses vibrations so guests can “feel” the experience; and connectivity that will deliver 25 megabits per second for every guest. Together these technologies will create a powerful platform, making MSG Sphere the venue of choice for a wide variety of content -- including attractions, concerts, residencies, corporate events, product launches and select sporting events. MSG is building its first MSG Sphere venue in Las Vegas with the goal of completing the project during calendar year 2021. In addition to its iconic spherical shape, MSG Sphere in Las Vegas will feature a fully programmable LED exterior.

Role Summary

The Sphere is a new spherical entertainment venue crossing over the lines of traditional media and entertainment. The space contains an external LED media plane, a nearly four acre screen, a revolutionary audio system, roughly 17,500 seats and a massive internal volumetric space waiting for new shows, artist residencies and other forms of entertainment. ROLE SUMMARY: Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Physical Production, the Vice President of Physical Production is responsible for physical and theatrical production aspects on Sphere Productions, including project budgeting, scheduling, managing scenic and special effects design vendors and technical production aspects (e.g. from special effects to show control) needed for new Sphere productions. S/he will work closely with the Venue Operations, the Creative Team and the Show production team to ensure the highest production value, creative technical solutions and safe productions.

Specific Functions/Activities Summary

• Supervise Physical and Theatrical Production aspects for the shows, including creating budgets, production schedules, work flows, show control schemas, sourcing and managing scenic and special effects, projections vendors, crew, staffing, pre-production, production and post production.


• Manage vendor relationships, including review of prototypes, quality control on final product, monitoring operation in the field and troubleshooting with the vendors.


• Work closely with Ventures team on development and production of 4D elements, audio to ensure alignment with show goals such as sight lines, creative use and technical requirements.


• Offer creative technical solutions for Show productions.


• Monitor project progress and report any schedule and budget challenges and provide solutions;


• Stay abreast of emerging theatrical, special effect, show control and theatrical technical production developments.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience working as a large scale complex theatrical or theme park technical director or large scale touring production manager managing budgets up to $10 million.


• Demonstrated success in planning and managing production projects, working with external domestic and international vendors, maintaining extensive production contacts.


• 5-7 years of senior-level management experience in production.


• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail which will ensure that the productions runs smoothly and efficiently.


• Familiarity with IATSE and production crews.


• A proven track record of fostering, building, and maintaining relationships with key external and internal clients.


• Able to work at a strategic level as well as in a day-to-day execution driven capacity.


• Excellent communication and relationship skills and an ability to maintain a positive work culture.


• First-hand experience on the ground production experience.


• Expertise and experience in show systems including but not limited to Show Control (Medialon), Projection Systems (Christie), LED Systems (ROE/Revolution), Playback Systems (7thSense), Show Control Network (Cisco), Formats: HD, 4K, AES67, VoIP, MIDI, UDP, TCPIP. Sync Pulse / PTP (Evertz), AV Routing(Evertz).

• Identify appropriate technology for our productions and venues, including researching, vetting of potential vendors, keeping abreast of new technological developments and overseeing all aspects of the integration of the new technology into our productions and venues.


• Performs systems troubleshooting to isolate and diagnose issues. Determine root cause and resolution for previously unknown problems. Logically works through issues, communicates to management including troubleshooting system issues while under pressure.


• Executing research and development on behalf of the creative team, managing vendors and overseeing any necessary training applicable to artists or venue labor.


• Exercise judgment within defined procedures to determine appropriate action.


• Responsible for completing projects in accordance with established processes, including but not limited to, support, documentation, implementation, testing, performance tuning, problem isolation, and resolution of complex systems issues.

• Work with Show Operations Team (Stage Managers and Stage Crew) on installation and operation of all computer systems used in our productions.


• Work with outside vendors on all system operations, back up plans and troubleshooting techniques.


• Maintain detailed logs on all systems operations and maintenance.


• Prepare an end of season report for Technical Director and SVP Physical Productions summarizing run of show and making recommendations moving forward.

Education

Candidates who have completed 60 credits of college-level coursework (representing 2 years), or have shown similar self-development through certifications, trade school coursework, etc. are preferred. Educational requirements may differ from job to job based on the role.

EEO Statement

At MSG we value diversity and are looking for extraordinary employees of all backgrounds! MSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health choices, national origin, citizenship, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, MSG complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in all locations.