San Francisco Opera Appoints Jessica Koplos Director Of Electronic Media

San Francisco Opera general director David Gockley has appointed Jessica Koplos as director of electronic media, a new position in the company reporting directly to the general director. Under the direction of Gockley, San Francisco Opera has made major strides in the electronic media field with the recent launch of the Koret-Taube Media Suite and the company’s successful simulcasts.

“San Francisco Opera is absolutely committed to harnessing the power of electronic media towards our mission of making the great opera art form more broadly accessible,” says Gockley. “Jessica brings tremendous energy and experience to the position, and I am delighted that she will lead our efforts in this area.”

In her new role, Koplos will lead institutional efforts in electronic media projects including developing a comprehensive growth strategy over the coming years. A major priority will be work towards maximizing the potential of the Koret-Taube Media Suite, overseeing content creation, and working on a plan to bring the company’s digital product to new markets and new formats. The Media Suite enables the company to consider future ideas such as expanded simulcasts and cinemacasts, podcasting, live streaming, DVD production, and many other electronic media possibilities—all of which will take place under the direction of Koplos.

Launched earlier this year, the Koret-Taube Media Suite is the first permanent high definition video production facility installed in any American opera house. The facility gives San Francisco Opera the permanent capability to generate a high-definition, multi-camera live feed of the stage for many uses. OperaVision, an exciting new program that debuted in June, offers full stage, close-up, and mid-range ensemble shots in high-definition video on two 5’ x 9’retractable screens patrons seated in the far reaches of the balcony section.

“I am honored to join the team at San Francisco Opera,” states Koplos. “David Gockley has a long history of using technology to broaden and enhance the experience of opera, and I look forward to helping him realize his vision.”

Koplos joins San Francisco Opera from her home base in Chicago where she was most recently consultant to a number of creative companies, developing business models, funding strategies, and media products for firms within Chicago and beyond. She has worked for a number of prominent entertainment organizations as a producer for Walt Disney Studios and HBO, consulting for CBS and MTV, and managing numerous electronic media projects with Fortune 500 companies. Koplos began her career as a technical assistant at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.