Playback Systems Coordinator

Help bring complex on-screen experiences to life.

At Scarab Digital, we support some of the largest film and television productions by delivering playback systems, screen graphics, interactive displays, and on-set technical solutions that become part of what audiences see on screen.

We're looking for someone who enjoys solving problems before they happen.

This is a planning and coordination role, but one that requires a genuine understanding of technology. You'll work closely with production teams while coordinating internally with graphics artists, playback operators, rental partners, and technical crews to ensure everything is ready long before cameras roll.

If you enjoy organizing complex projects, communicating across multiple departments, and understanding how technology supports production, we'd love to hear from you.

What This Role Really Is

Every production has moving parts.

Our job is to make sure playback, graphics, equipment, and technical crews move together.

You'll become the primary planning link between production and Scarab, ensuring everyone has the information they need, the right equipment is booked, graphics are progressing, budgets stay on track, and technical risks are identified before they become production problems.

Although this is not a hands-on operator position, you'll need enough technical understanding to confidently discuss equipment, anticipate challenges, and support both production and the on-set crew.

What You'll Do

Planning

• 
  
  
  
  • Read scripts and script revisions to identify playback, graphics, and technical requirements.
  
  
  • Translate production needs into practical equipment, staffing, and scheduling plans.
  
  
  • Build and maintain budgets, labour plans, equipment lists, and project timelines.
  
  
  • Track production changes and adjust plans as projects evolve.
  
  

Production Collaboration

• 
  
  
  
  • Attend production meetings, technical surveys, location scouts, and client discussions.
  
  
  • Represent Scarab professionally while working alongside production departments.
  
  
  • Coordinate with directors, assistant directors, art department, VFX, construction, props, locations, and other departments as required.
  
  
  • Ensure information flows clearly between production and Scarab's internal teams.
  
  

Technical Coordination

• 
  
  
  
  • Work with playback operators, graphics artists, and technical staff to determine project requirements.
  
  
  • Coordinate equipment preparation, testing, rentals, transportation, deployment, and returns.
  
  
  • Verify that graphics packages, playback systems, hardware, and supporting equipment align with production requirements.
  
  
  • Identify potential technical risks and help develop practical solutions before filming begins.
  
  

Project Oversight

• 
  
  
  
  • Monitor schedules, budgets, approvals, revisions, and outstanding deliverables.
  
  
  • Keep projects organized despite changing priorities.
  
  
  • Help ensure productions receive consistent, professional service from prep through wrap.
  
  

What We're Looking For

We're less concerned about having one specific career path and more interested in how you think.

You might come from:

• 
  
  
  
  • Film or television production
  
  
  • Playback
  
  
  • Broadcast
  
  
  • Live events
  
  
  • AV integration
  
  
  • Media servers
  
  
  • Video systems
  
  
  • Technical production
  
  
  • Virtual production
  
  
  • Screen graphics
  
  
  • Rental operations
  
  

If you've spent your career helping productions deliver technically complex work while coordinating multiple moving pieces, we'd like to hear from you.

Technical Knowledge

Technical understanding is an essential part of this role.

You don't need to know everything, but you should have a solid working understanding of topics such as:

• 
  
  
  
  • Computer hardware and operating systems
  
  
  • Networking fundamentals
  
  
  • Video signal flow (HDMI, SDI, converters, distribution)
  
  
  • Playback systems and media playback software
  
  
  • Displays, LED, projection, monitors, and supporting hardware
  
  
  • Equipment planning and specification
  
  
  • Common technical failure points and troubleshooting approaches
  
  

You should be comfortable discussing technical requirements with experienced operators while also communicating clearly with production teams who may not have a technical background.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• 
  
  
  
  • Thinks several steps ahead.
  
  
  • Communicates clearly and professionally.
  
  
  • Stays organized when priorities change.
  
  
  • Enjoys solving problems before they reach set.
  
  
  • Can confidently bridge creative, production, and technical conversations.
  
  
  • Takes ownership rather than waiting for direction.
  
  
  • Builds trust through reliability and preparation.
  
  

This Role May Not Be the Right Fit If

• 
  
  
  
  • You prefer highly repetitive work with clearly defined routines.
  
  
  • You become uncomfortable when priorities change quickly.
  
  
  • You're looking primarily for an administrative production office position.
  
  
  • You're uncomfortable discussing technology or equipment with experienced technical crews.
  
  
  • You prefer reacting to problems instead of planning ahead to avoid them.
  
  

Qualifications

We're interested in experience that demonstrates sound judgment, organization, and technical awareness.

Ideally you'll have:

• 
  
  
  
  • Several years of experience supporting film, television, broadcast, live events, or other technically complex productions.
  
  
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  
  
  • Experience coordinating multiple departments simultaneously.
  
  
  • Experience preparing budgets, labour plans, schedules, or equipment plans.
  
  
  • Confidence working with both production personnel and technical crews.
  
  
  • Eligibility to work in Canada.
  
  

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role isn't measured by how many problems you solve during filming.

It's measured by how many problems never reach set because they were identified and resolved during planning.

When this role is working well:

• 
  
  
  
  • Production feels informed.
  
  
  • Graphics stay on schedule.
  
  
  • Equipment arrives prepared.
  
  
  • Operators have what they need.
  
  
  • Budgets remain accurate.
  
  
  • Communication stays clear.
  
  
  • Productions ask for you again.
  
  

Why Scarab

We don't simply provide equipment.

We become part of the production team.

Our reputation has been built by anticipating challenges, communicating honestly, and delivering reliable technical solutions under demanding production schedules.

We're looking for people who take pride in doing the same.