Freelance Multimedia Journalist / On-Camera Field Reporter

Freelance Multimedia Journalist / On-Camera Field Reporter Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Engagement: Freelance, assignment-based Coverage area: Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro Role Overview We are seeking freelance journalists based in the Twin Cities who can report, appear on camera, conduct interviews, and operate their own camera and audio equipment. This is an assignment-based role for journalists who are comfortable working independently in the field. Assignments may include gathering public comments for upcoming videos, conducting scheduled interviews, reporting from relevant locations, capturing supporting footage, and presenting short on-camera segments. The ideal freelancer can manage the full field-reporting process without a separate camera operator. This includes approaching sources, conducting interviews, recording clean video and audio, appearing on camera when required, and delivering organized footage to the production team. Responsibilities Travel throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding metro area for assigned stories. Gather public comments and street interviews related to videos in development. Conduct interviews with community members, local organizations, experts, business owners, public officials, and other relevant sources. Present short introductions, explanations, transitions, or reporter-led segments on camera. Operate a camera or professional smartphone production setup independently. Set up and monitor microphones, tripods, portable lighting, and other basic field-production equipment. Capture clean interviews, establishing shots, location footage, and supporting B-roll. Work from approved research, assignment briefs, interview questions, talking points, or scripts. Ask relevant follow-up questions and identify strong, usable responses. Confirm names, titles, locations, and other important details before leaving an assignment. Follow consent, release, privacy, editorial, and safety procedures. Label, organize, and upload footage promptly. Provide notes identifying the strongest quotes, key moments, source details, and any concerns the producer or editor should know about. Represent the publication professionally when working with members of the public and interview subjects. Required Experience and Skills Must be based in the Twin Cities area. Professional experience in journalism, reporting, interviewing, documentary work, or news-related video production. Strong on-camera communication skills. Comfortable approaching people and gathering comments in public settings. Ability to conduct clear, professional, and respectful interviews. Experience operating a camera or high-quality smartphone video setup. Working knowledge of field audio, microphones, framing, exposure, lighting, and basic shot composition. Ability to work independently as a one-person reporting and production unit. Strong news judgment and attention to accuracy, fairness, and context. Reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout the Twin Cities metro. Ability to meet agreed deadlines and deliver complete, organized production materials. Preferred Experience Previous work as a freelance journalist, multimedia journalist, video journalist, field reporter, correspondent, documentary interviewer, or field producer. Familiarity with Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities. Experience producing content for digital news, social platforms, documentaries, or short-form video. Experience gathering man-on-the-street interviews or public reactions. Experience interviewing public officials, experts, advocates, or community leaders. Basic editing skills. Familiarity with appearance releases, recording consent, and location permissions. Access to professional or prosumer camera, microphone, tripod, and portable lighting equipment. Assignment Structure This is a freelance, project-based position rather than a full-time staff role. Freelancers may be contacted for assignments based on location, availability, subject matter, and production needs. The scope, deadline, expected deliverables, usage, and compensation will be agreed upon before each assignment. Assignments may include: Gathering public comments for a video scheduled for release. Conducting a scheduled interview with a local source. Recording an on-location reporter segment. Attending a public meeting, event, press conference, or community gathering. Capturing footage from a location relevant to a story. Producing a complete field package that includes interviews, reporter segments, and B-roll. Freelancers will generally receive approved research, an assignment brief, suggested questions, and production guidance. They should also be able to use their journalistic judgment in the field and ask appropriate follow-up questions. Application Materials Please submit: A résumé or brief professional biography. Links to reporting, interviews, on-camera work, or self-shot field footage. A description of your journalism and field-production experience. Your general availability. Your typical freelance day rate, half-day rate, or assignment rate. A list of the camera, audio, and lighting equipment you use. The areas of the Twin Cities metro you are available to cover.