Long-Form Historical Documentary Editor | DaVinci Resolve | Archival Material & Maps

We are looking for an experienced long-form documentary video editor for a new English-language YouTube channel focused on carefully researched historical expeditions, mysteries and events. The first documentary covers Sir John Franklin’s lost Arctic expedition of 1845. This is not a YouTube automation, cash-cow or generic faceless-video project. Our goal is to produce serious, visually refined historical documentaries with strong storytelling, careful use of archival sources and a restrained cinematic style. If the collaboration works well, this can develop into recurring work on future documentaries. WHAT IS ALREADY PREPARED You will not be starting from zero. We will provide: • Final English voice-over • Final documentary script • Structured narrative / beat sequence • Researched and pre-selected historical photographs • Paintings and illustrations • Historical documents • Maps and archival material • Source and licensing documentation • An existing DaVinci Resolve project • Partially developed visual templates and sequences The historical research and primary asset selection have already been completed. You can therefore focus primarily on editing and audiovisual storytelling. YOUR ROLE Your task is to transform the supplied material into a polished 25–30 minute historical documentary. This includes: • Editing visuals to match the narration • Determining appropriate shot duration and pacing • Subtle push-ins, pull-outs, pans and reframing • Professional treatment of historical photographs • Clear and engaging presentation of historical documents • Map and route animation • Restrained transitions • Motion graphics where they genuinely improve understanding • Music selection • Atmospheric sound design • Audio balancing and final polish • Developing reusable visual solutions where appropriate DESIRED STYLE We are looking for a serious modern documentary style: • Controlled • Atmospheric • Visually sophisticated • Historically respectful • Cinematic without becoming theatrical • Engaging without becoming hyperactive Historical photographs and documents should be allowed to breathe when the story requires it. A strong editor should know when to move an image — and when not to move it. WHAT WE DO NOT WANT Please do not apply if your main editing approach relies on: • Generic faceless-video editing • Constant Ken Burns movement • A new image every few seconds regardless of narrative need • Aggressive zooms • Flashy transitions • Meme-style editing • TikTok / Shorts aesthetics • Excessive retention effects • Random stock footage • AI-generated historical footage used as replacement material The story should create the engagement. The edit should support the story rather than compete with it. HISTORICAL INTEGRITY Historical accuracy and source traceability are important parts of this project. You will initially work with the historical assets supplied to you. Professional improvement suggestions are strongly encouraged. However, historical asset substitutions or new historical materials must not be introduced without approval. If something appears historically unclear, we expect you to flag it rather than improvise. Historical accuracy takes priority over visual spectacle. CREATIVE FREEDOM We are not looking for someone who simply follows instructions mechanically. You are encouraged to suggest improvements to: • Pacing • Shot duration • Image treatment • Layouts • Maps • Graphics • Transitions • Music • Sound design • Existing templates The existing DaVinci Resolve project is a starting point, not a creative restriction. Strong new visual solutions are welcome. Major stylistic changes would first be tested on a short sequence before being applied throughout the documentary. MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN There is currently no fixed music or sound-design system for the channel. This is an area where we want the editor to contribute creatively. We are looking for subtle documentary music, controlled tension, atmospheric sound, thoughtful use of silence, clear voice-over and restrained sound effects. We are not looking for constant trailer music, impacts, risers or exaggerated cinematic drama. All externally introduced music, sound effects, graphics, fonts or other assets must be suitable for commercial YouTube use and have clearly documented licensing. Paid third-party assets must not be purchased without prior approval. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT DaVinci Resolve is required. Please do not apply if you intend to complete the project exclusively in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or another NLE. The complete editable DaVinci Resolve project must be delivered at the end of the assignment. Experience with Fusion is a strong advantage. TECHNICAL PROJECT • 3840 × 2160 / UHD 4K • 25 fps • English-language narration • Final video plus complete editable DaVinci Resolve project The project must remain organized and usable by another editor in the future. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR The ideal candidate has experience with some combination of: • Long-form documentary editing • Historical documentaries • Archival photographs and footage • Historical documents • Maps and route animation • Investigative storytelling • Restrained cinematic editing • DaVinci Resolve • Fusion • Professional sound design You do not need to be a historian. You do need to be comfortable working carefully with historically sensitive material and following a controlled source workflow. PAID SELECTION TEST We will not award the full documentary based only on a portfolio. A small number of shortlisted candidates will receive the same paid 60–90 second editing test using real material from the Franklin documentary. The test will include voice-over, a script excerpt, supplied historical assets and relevant visual guidance. We will evaluate: • Documentary storytelling • Pacing • Treatment of archival imagery • Visual focus • Zoom and pan decisions • Maps and documents • Sound design • DaVinci project organization • Attention to instructions The test is paid. The strongest candidate will then be offered the full Franklin documentary. Successful completion may lead to recurring work on future episodes. WHEN APPLYING Please provide: 1. No more than three links to your most relevant projects. At least one should ideally demonstrate long-form documentary or narrative editing. If you have work involving archival photographs, historical material, documents, maps or investigative storytelling, please prioritize those examples. 2. Confirmation that you work professionally in DaVinci Resolve and a brief description of your experience with Fusion. 3. In approximately 3–5 sentences: How would you keep a 25–30 minute documentary visually engaging when a significant part of the material consists of historical photographs, documents and maps? 4. What would you do if none of the supplied historical assets accurately illustrates a particular sentence in the narration? 5. Your approximate fixed-price range for editing a 25–30 minute documentary when the script, voice-over, historical research and primary historical assets are already supplied. 6. Your current availability, typical turnaround for this type of project, and whether you would be interested in recurring documentary work if the first project is successful. IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTION To confirm that you have read the complete project description, begin your proposal with: EREBUS Applications that do not begin with EREBUS will not be considered.