Ben McIver

Experience

• 

  New Mexico Jazz Workshop

  May 2003 - Jan 2007

  Assistant Director

  • Curated and produced over 75 jazz and salsa concerts and 14 outdoor blues festivals in three years.• Served as the spokesperson for the largest jazz non-profit in the Southwest, engaging with television, radio, and press.• Increased weekly attendance to up to 1,500 paid audience members for the summer series.• Recruited and managed over 50 volunteers for concert and educational programs, boosting volunteer recruitment by 40% in three years.• Created a city-wide youth orchestra and developed its curriculum, auditioning and training over 75 high school musicians, with tailored programs for all skill levels.• Organized annual fundraisers with the executive director, securing sponsors and donations, which increased membership by 20% and raised the annual operating fund by $280K in three years.• Directed public relations with local media, promoting programs and events through radio shows, live performances, press releases, and interviews with touring jazz artists.• Advised the board and executive director on strategic planning and board development while maintaining the organization’s vision.• Managed all logistics for concert venues, including scheduling, technical support, load-in/load-out, and ticket sales. Show less

• 

  Entertainment Partners

  Aug 2008 - now

  Senior Location Manager

  • Collaborate with directors and producers to find filming locations and initiate the strategic planning of the production, including defining the area, schedule, and budget. Credits on 20 feature films and 17 seasons of television• Create and manage budgets for projects ranging from 1.2Mto1.2Mto15M, covering all costs such as venue fees, materials, equipment, permits, and safety personnel.• Lead various departments to assess their needs during production, creating a detailed schedule that prioritizes tasks at each location to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time.• Manage a team of 15-25 members to implement the production plan, coordinate logistics, and restore locations after filming.• Build relationships with key stakeholders like real estate companies, universities, and local organizations to encourage community support for film productions, facilitating repeat projects in the same locations.• Work with legal counsel to secure rights clearances, negotiate contract terms, and establish production guidelines to protect the studio from future claims. Show less