The Position:
Topic Studios is seeking a Director, Nonfiction Series & Documentary to join the team in New York, reporting to the VP, Nonfiction Series & Documentary. This position will be expected to be in the office at least three days per week. The ideal candidate will be motivated, eager, and energized by nonfiction and documentary development. They will have proven development and production experience in independent documentaries, streaming, and cable/broadcast television programming. They will be able to work well in a team and independently. They will have strong relationships in the creative community and the industry, including directors, producers, agencies, managers, print media, studio executives, and buyers. They will have a knack for identifying what's of value in the market and nurturing creative talent in the development of content. This position will work closely with the VP to develop and help bring to market a slate of projects to build on the success of the Topic Studios brand in the non-fiction space.
Responsibilities:
- Work closely with VP to develop interesting and diverse projects with an eye toward market strategy from inception
- Work with VP and EVP, Film and Docs to assess the creative and financial viability of documentary investments
- Forge and maintain relationships with agencies, producers, and filmmakers to solicit high-quality submissions for financing and to bring in projects for development that have a path to sale.
- Identify and cultivate new and existing talent from diverse communities, platforms, and outlets including emerging creators
- Assess and evaluate TV formats, books, articles, podcasts, documentaries, and other source material for development
- Identify creators (writers, directors, producers, talent) with whom Topic Studios could partner.
- Generate ideas for projects, partnerships and packages.
- Work with VP to manage the entire development-to-delivery process on the Nonfiction slate, including communicating notes on footage and cuts as requested, attending shoots as needed, and helping to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget
- Work with VP to manage and track the development budget and business affairs deals for slate projects.
- Track competitive information on projects selling to market and going into production.
- Attend general and pitch meetings with creators.
- Work closely with creators to develop stories, formats, decks, pitches, and scripts.
- Serve as the first point of contact between the Nonfiction group and other Topic Studios verticals (Film, Podcasts, Original Series) when considering our proprietary IP for Scripted TV and other formats.
- Other appropriately related projects/duties as they emerge
Background & Qualifications:
- College degree. Related fields are strongly preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of creative development experience in the nonfiction and documentary marketplace.
- Strong relationships with agencies, management companies, production companies, creative executives and distribution/platform partners.
- Knowledge of feature documentaries and unscripted television series and formats (past and present).
- Avid viewer with premium/commercial taste and the ability to identify worlds/voices with the potential to connect with audiences.
- Ability to source IP in all its forms and determine which are primed for development into nonfiction content.
- Ability to generate creative ideas and elements to enhance projects.
- Strategic mindset vis a vis setting up projects that meet a platform's expressed need, brand and audience profile.
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
- Must be a team player and enjoy working collaboratively and in person
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize and schedule work effectively.
Location: First Look Media/Topic Studios is located in New York City. This is a hybrid position that will be expected to be in the NYC office for 2 - 3 days each week.
Compensation (NYC Only): The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $125,000 annually. The salary offered will be determined based on relative experience, skillset and other job-related factors.
About FIRST LOOK MEDIA
First Look Media is a new-model media company devoted to supporting independent voices, from fearless investigative journalism and documentary filmmaking to smart, provocative entertainment. Launched in 2013 by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, FLM was founded on the fundamental belief that freedom of expression, the press, and the power of storytelling are vital to a vibrant culture and a thriving democracy.
First Look Media's flagship brands include the award-winning entertainment studio, Topic Studios and the "criminally-good" streaming service, Topic. FLM continues to expand its mission of supporting independent voices via a variety of new brands, formats and platforms, as well as through foundational technology, helping creators and audiences develop, distribute, discover and connect with meaningful stories.
About Topic Studios
Topic Studios is the award-winning entertainment studio from First Look Media that develops, finances and produces provocative and entertaining content for all platforms including theatrical, streaming, television and podcasts.
The Studio is behind such notable films as Nikyatu Jusu's Nanny, winner of the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival (Blumhouse/Amazon); Pablo Larraìn's Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart (Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee for her performance) as Princess Diana (with NEON); the Academy Award®-winning Spotlight; The Mauritanian, starring Jodie Foster (Golden Globe® winner for her performance), Tahar Rahim (Golden Globe® nominee for his performance), Benedict Cumberbatch, and Shailene Woodley (STX); and Adam Leon's Italian Studies starring Academy Award® nominee Vanessa Kirby (Magnolia Pictures). Acclaimed documentaries from the Studio have included Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry's Attica on Showtime (2022 Academy Award®-nominee for Best Documentary); the big wave surfing series, 100 Foot Wave, renewed for a second season, and the Peabody® and Film Independent Spirit Award-nominated, three-part series, Nuclear Family, both on HBO/HBO Max; Douglas Tirola's Leonard Bernstein portrait Bernstein's Wall; Lucy Walker's wildfires documentary Bring Your Own Brigade, on Paramount+; and the GLAAD Media Award winner Mucho Mucho Amor on Netflix. Pioneering podcasts have included Pulitzer finalist and IDA Award-winning investigative podcast Somebody, with iHeartMedia; former Dinner Party Download host Brendan Francis Newnam's new food and travel show Not Lost (Pushkin Industries); John Cameron Mitchell's Anthem featuring Glenn Close, Cynthia Erivo and Patti LuPone; Operator (Wondery), a #1 Apple's Top Podcasts debut; and The Messenger and American ISIS on Audible Plus. The Studio is also ramping up its scripted television division with the Untitled Martin Lawrence Project, based on the acclaimed Israeli "HOT" series Nehama; also the Untitled Vincent Chin Project, a scripted drama limited series created by Marilyn Fu with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) attached to direct (in partnership with Amazon)
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – People of color, people with disabilities, women and LGBT candidates are strongly encouraged to apply; we are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.