Long-Term YouTube Documentary Video Editor / Visual Storyteller – Multiple Channels

LONG-TERM YOUTUBE DOCUMENTARY VIDEO EDITOR / VISUAL STORYTELLER – MULTIPLE CHANNELS We are building and operating multiple cinematic faceless YouTube channels and are looking for a talented, reliable Video Editor / Visual Storyteller for long-term collaboration. This is NOT a one-time project. We are building a scalable production system and want to work with the same reliable production partners across multiple channels for many months or potentially years. Current expected volume: 4–8 long-form videos per month Typical episode: 9–12 minutes (540–720 seconds) 16:9 | Minimum Full HD 1920×1080 OUR CONTENT Our channels use cinematic documentary-style storytelling across topics such as: • History • Technology • Engineering • Human achievement • Extraordinary construction and infrastructure • Innovation and inventions • Society and human progress • Future-related topics Individual channels may have different visual identities and storytelling styles. You must be able to adapt to different channel guidelines while maintaining consistent production quality. WHAT WE PROVIDE Depending on the project, we normally provide: • Final or near-final script • Finished voiceover • Episode concept • Creative/story direction • Channel-specific guidelines • References where required Your responsibility is to transform these materials into a complete, professional and engaging YouTube documentary. THIS IS NOT SIMPLE FACELESS VIDEO EDITING We are NOT looking for: • Static slideshows • Random stock footage over narration • Generic AI images • Repetitive pan-and-zoom effects • Unrelated B-roll • Template-heavy editing • Visual filler • Repetitive visual concepts We want story-driven visual sequences. The story comes before spectacle. Visual continuity comes before individual beautiful shots. Every visual should have a reason to be there and help move the story forward. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Depending on the episode, your work may include: • Complete editing of 9–12 minute YouTube documentaries • Synchronizing visuals with the supplied voiceover • Visual research • Researching and sourcing appropriate archive material • Researching and sourcing professional stock footage and photography • Integrating historical photographs and documents • Creating or sourcing AI-generated images/video where appropriate • Building coherent visual sequences • Maintaining character, object and location continuity • Maintaining historical and technical plausibility • Cinematic composition and visual movement • Maps and timelines • Motion graphics and simple explanatory graphics • Music selection • Ambient sound and professional sound design • Sound effects • Text elements/subtitles where genuinely useful • Basic color correction/grading • Final audio mix • Final mastering and export STORYTELLING, PACING & RETENTION Strong YouTube audience retention is important to us. However, we do NOT want mechanical editing where the visual changes every few seconds simply to satisfy a fixed rule. Pacing must follow the story. Fast sequences may require short cuts. Strong cinematic, emotional or explanatory moments may remain on screen longer. The goal is not maximum cutting speed. The goal is to keep the viewer emotionally and visually engaged throughout the story. VISUAL CONTINUITY & ACCURACY Visual credibility is extremely important. For historical content, visible details should match the represented period whenever relevant, including clothing, architecture, vehicles, technology, objects and environments. For engineering, construction or technology-related content, visuals should not obviously contradict the subject being explained. AI-generated scenes must not contain distracting artifacts, impossible objects or obvious continuity errors. Recurring characters, environments, machines or objects should remain reasonably consistent across connected shots. ARCHIVE, STOCK, MUSIC & LICENSING – MANDATORY All third-party assets used in our videos must be legally usable for commercial YouTube publication and monetization. This includes: • Archive footage • Stock footage • Photographs and images • Graphics • Music • Sound effects • Fonts • Other third-party creative assets At final delivery, you must provide the necessary source and/or license information for externally sourced assets used in the project. If you use subscription-based stock, archive, music or sound services, their licensing terms must permit commercial use in delivered client projects. Do NOT use copyrighted material taken from YouTube, television, films, documentaries, social media or other sources unless it is properly licensed for our commercial use. AI-generated assets must come from tools/plans that permit commercial use. We must be able to publish and monetize every finished video without unresolved copyright or licensing risks. SOFTWARE & AI TOOLS Professional editing software is expected. Preferred: • Adobe Premiere Pro • DaVinci Resolve Professional alternatives are acceptable. Experience with professional AI image/video tools is welcome. AI is a production tool — not a substitute for storytelling, editing skill or visual judgment. FINAL DELIVERY Each completed project should include: • Finished 9–12 minute video • 16:9 • Minimum 1920×1080 • Professional final audio mix • Music and sound design • Required motion graphics • Agreed revisions • Required source/license documentation • Project/source files when agreed for the project LONG-TERM COLLABORATION & SCALING Current expected volume: 4–8 videos per month As our YouTube portfolio grows, additional assignments may become available. A freelancer who consistently delivers excellent work may therefore receive increasing production volume. We value: • Reliable deadlines • Consistent quality • Clear communication • Proactive communication if problems occur • Ability to follow channel-specific guidelines • Independent problem solving • Capacity for recurring production BUDGET We prefer a fixed price per completed video. Target range for recurring work: $30–$40 per completed 9–12 minute video Please provide your best long-term rate. Also state your price per video for recurring batches of: • 5 videos • 10 videos If your rate is somewhat above our target but your portfolio demonstrates exceptional quality and a strong fit, you may still apply and state your price. NO UNPAID CUSTOM TESTS We do not require speculative unpaid work. Candidates will first be evaluated based on existing portfolio work, experience, communication and their understanding of the production requirements. The strongest candidate may receive a first paid real assignment. Successful completion can lead to recurring long-term work across our YouTube channels. HOW TO APPLY Please send only your 2–3 strongest and most relevant examples. We are particularly interested in: • YouTube documentaries • History documentaries • Engineering/construction documentaries • Technology/science content • Cinematic faceless storytelling • Archive + stock + AI productions Please answer: 1. Did you personally edit the portfolio examples you submitted? 2. Which parts of those projects did you personally create? 3. How do you research and source visuals for documentary videos? 4. Which stock, archive, music and sound libraries do you use? 5. Can you provide source/license documentation for third-party assets? 6. Which AI image/video tools do you use? 7. Can you maintain visual continuity across connected scenes? 8. Can you create maps, timelines and motion graphics when required? 9. Are music selection and professional sound design included in your price? 10. What is your fixed price for one 9–12 minute video? 11. What is your price per video for recurring batches of 5 videos? 12. What is your price per video for recurring batches of 10 videos? 13. What is your typical turnaround time? 14. Can you reliably produce 1–2 videos per week? 15. Which editing software do you use? Please begin your proposal with: DOCUMENTARY This confirms that you have read the complete job description. We are looking for a long-term production partner who can grow with our YouTube portfolio, not simply someone interested in completing one isolated project.