Job Summary:
As a member of the Oral History Projects Department (a subset of the Academy Museum’s Digital & Strategy team), the Senior Oral History Content Producer will report to the Director of Oral History Projects as the person responsible for oversight of the research, preparation, content-producing and transcription accuracy for the Visual History Program collection. The individual will serve as a steward of the oral history collections, supporting highly quality research for interviewee selection, biographical research, recording, copy editing, and assisting with steps to help make the oral history collection accessible to staff and the public.
As the primary staff person responsible for upholding the oral history methodology and standards for research, interviewing and transcription practices for the department, they both conduct primary source interviewee research projects, conduct open-ended video-recorded interviews, and oversee research and interview projects undertaken by contract researcher/interviewers. The SOHCP will work closely with production, archival, and curatorial staff as well as find, hire and train subject-specialist contractors (typically film scholars). Additionally, they will oversee the process of finalizing transcripts for public access by reviewing and fact-checking reviewed transcripts and keeping to the project’s style guide. The SOHCP will undertake a variety of tasks to support oral history practice and the use of oral histories and Museum exhibitions, educational initiatives, public programs, and partnerships. They will also be able to undertake and complete assignments promptly, thoroughly, and accurately, and to work independently and collaboratively, in a fast-paced environment where attention to accuracy and detail is critical.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee and/or prepare research materials for interviewees (questions, filmography, timeline, recommended films list, bio and resources) for the production of 15-30 video-recorded oral history interviews per year.
- Research, identify and train appropriate researchers and interviewers (typically film scholars) in collaboration with the Director.
- Research and prioritize potential interviewees in conjunction with OHP, Museum and other Academy staff and external partners.
- Research assigned interviewee’s life and career; select and view pertinent films to document.
- Conduct interview sessions in accordance with oral history methodology and best practices (see: Oral History Association; e.g. open-ended questioning, follow-up questions, limited commentary).
- Recommend, train and provide ongoing oversight of contract researchers.
- Assign and evaluate research packets completed by freelance researchers.
- Content-produce interview sessions conducted by freelance interviewers by offering constructive feedback during filming.
- For audio-recorded interviews, train the audio oral history copy editor in the Academy method for publishing oral history transcripts.
- Train and oversee the work of transcript reviewers (Academy staff from Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive) to ensure word-accuracy and fact checking through research.
- Finalize reviewed transcripts for public access; double checking information and ensuring appropriate formatting.
- Provide feedback on short content pieces made from the Visual History Program collection.
- Copyedit text prepared for departmental use as needed.
- Support for international and non-English productions as needed.
- Review, proofread, revise, and export transcriptions using the 3PlayMedia and/or Whisper platforms (training to be provided).
- Responsible for training staff and contractors on how to draft interview summaries and interviewee bios based on transcriptions, making revisions as necessary.
- Track recommended, prioritized interviewees by location, age, craft, etc in Airtable database in collaboration with the Senior Specialist, Production and Operations.
- Collaborate with Curatorial Assistant on clip selection and prioritization of short content uses in the Academy Museum and online.
- Collaborate with department staff in outreach and partnerships to expand awareness and use of oral history collections.
- Collaborate with department staff to assess OHP operations and work directly with Director of OHP to improve workflow and accomplishments.