Video Editor - Military & Geopolitics Dynamic Videos

I am looking for a video editor for long-term collaboration on a YouTube channel focused on military operations, modern military technology, aviation, naval forces, drones, wars, and geopolitical events. The videos follow a complete chronological timeline of events, including specific times. The editor’s job is to make the videos dynamic and accurately convey the atmosphere of the events. Here is one example channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MadsonBrief The video topics may include: U.S. and other countries’ military aviation; mainly events involving Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war; F-16, F/A-18, F-35, A-10, B-52, MQ-9, and other aircraft/UAVs; air defense systems; missile strikes; naval operations; aircraft carriers and destroyers; U.S. military operations; the war in Ukraine; events involving Iran and the Middle East; drones and modern weapon systems; analysis and visualization of military operations. Your job is to understand military equipment and make sure the correct equipment is shown in the footage, rather than simply using any aircraft or military vehicle. For example, if the narration is talking about an F-35, you need to show an F-35, not an F-22 just because it looks visually similar. The visual presentation must be professional. This is not ordinary editing where you can simply place random military footage under the narration. The visuals must match what the narrator is talking about as closely as possible. The editing must also be dynamic, shots should change regularly, and the viewer should enjoy watching the video. Working with GeoLayers 3 maps is also MANDATORY. If an event takes place in a specific geographical area—for example, “aircraft are flying from Saudi Arabia toward Iran, while an Iranian air defense system is positioned near Larak Island”—you must show this clearly and accurately on the map. Example: https://youtu.be/5IrYR8Qb4P4?t=3 Work Format I provide the finished script/material and narration. You take the narrator’s raw recording, remove unnecessary pauses, and then add footage, maps, sound effects, and music to create the finished video. Music can be sourced from: Epidemic Sound; Artlist; YouTube music. The average finished video is approximately 10–15 minutes long. There will usually be around 12–15 videos per month, which means approximately one video every 2–3 days. At the beginning of our collaboration, the payment will be based on the length of the raw narration: 10–13 minutes — $80 13–15 minutes — $90 15–17 minutes — $100 If the quality of your editing is good, I will increase the rate over time. I can also provide bonuses for especially good work. I am looking for someone specifically for long-term collaboration, not just a single project. If our collaboration goes well, there will be a stable workload. Main Editing Requirements 1. The Visuals Must Match the Narration This is one of the most important requirements. If the narration mentions a specific aircraft, ship, missile, or air defense system, that exact piece of equipment—or the closest accurate material—should appear on screen. For example: if the narration mentions an A-10 Warthog, do not show an F-16; if it mentions an F/A-18 Super Hornet, use footage of the actual Super Hornet; if the narration mentions a destroyer, do not show a random aircraft carrier; if a specific missile is being launched, preferably find footage showing the launch of that exact missile; if the narration talks about an aircraft cockpit, use appropriate cockpit footage. You cannot simply fill the video with random attractive military footage. The viewer should see approximately what the narrator is describing at that exact moment. Also, around 70% of the footage should be supported by REALISTIC sound effects. For example: if an aircraft launches missiles, there should be realistic missile-launch sounds as well as aircraft engine sounds; if the footage shows missiles being launched from a destroyer, the scene should also include realistic launch sounds. There should be no static images in the video. Everything should be presented using video footage and GeoLayers 3 maps. 2. Finding High-Quality Footage The main source for military footage should preferably be DVIDS and other relevant sources. When necessary, footage can also be sourced from other platforms, including YouTube and publicly available military footage. The editor must be able to find appropriate footage independently rather than waiting for every individual clip to be provided. It is especially important to find: aircraft in flight; cockpit footage; pilot POV footage; button presses; aircraft instruments and systems; missile launches; air defense launches; ships; radar systems; drones; military bases; explosions; crews operating equipment; real combat or training footage. I especially value cockpit footage, aircraft systems being operated, button presses, and weapon launches, because these shots make the videos much more dynamic. 3. Dynamic Editing The video should not feel like a long compilation made from just a few clips. There should be regular changes in perspective and shot type, such as: wide shots; close-ups of military equipment; cockpit views; POV shots; missile launches; maps; targets; explosions; crew reactions; the next stage of the operation. For example: operator → aircraft/drone → cockpit → missile launch → missile in flight → target → impact The editing should maintain the pace and flow of the story. 4. Maps and GeoLayers Many videos require showing the movement of aircraft, ships, drones, missiles, or military units on a map. The editor should be able to work with After Effects / GeoLayers 3, or be capable of creating similar professional map animations. Maps may need to show: aircraft routes; missile routes; ship routes; military base locations; air defense positions; engagement/radar ranges; distance to the target; direction of attack; operational areas; route lines; labels for important locations or equipment. Maps should be clean and easy to understand rather than overloaded with unnecessary information. Routes can use dotted trajectories and clear equipment icons. Geographical accuracy is extremely important. If an aircraft or missile is traveling from Point A to Point B, the map animation must correctly represent the route described in the script. 5. Military Equipment Labels When important military equipment first appears in the video, its name should preferably be displayed on screen. For example: A-10 Thunderbolt II F/A-18E Super Hornet MQ-9A Reaper USS Arleigh Burke S-400 Triumf The same applies to ships, missiles, air defense systems, and other important equipment. The labels should look clean and professional. 6. Event Time If the script mentions a specific time, it should be displayed on screen. For example: 04:52 AM or 07:25 PM The time can be presented in a small information box. In some situations, it is also useful to animate the time changing or counting forward. 7. Distance, Altitude, Speed, and Other Data If the narrator mentions: altitude; distance; speed; range; distance to the target, this information should preferably also appear visually on screen. Since the channel is primarily aimed at an American audience, both U.S. customary and metric units should be displayed. For example: 25,000 ft / 7,620 m 60 miles / 96 km Important numerical information that helps the viewer understand the scale of the operation should not be ignored. 8. Sound Design Sound design is a very important part of the editing. Almost every important action should have an appropriate sound effect. For example: aircraft sounds; ship engine sounds; cockpit ambience; button presses; radar sounds; missile launches; torpedo launches; gunfire; missiles flying past; explosions; air defense systems; helicopters; drones; radio communication; general atmospheric sounds. If the video shows a missile launch, there should not be only background music — there should also be an appropriate missile-launch sound. If a ship is shown, it is preferable to add appropriate ship/engine ambience. If gunfire is shown, there should be gunfire sounds. SFX should enhance the video but must not overpower the narrator’s voice. 9. Music Background music should support the atmosphere of the video without interfering with the narration. Licensed music libraries can be used, such as: Epidemic Sound; Artlist. The editor should ideally be able to select music that matches different stages of the story: anticipation; reconnaissance; preparation for an attack; tension; beginning of combat; strike/impact; conclusion of the operation. The music should not maintain the same intensity throughout the entire video. 10. No Cinematic Black Bars Do not add cinematic black bars / letterboxing. The footage should use the full area of the standard YouTube frame. 11. Do Not Reuse the Same Footage Repeatedly Do not repeatedly use the same footage simply to fill the runtime. If a particular scene lasts longer, it is better to find: another angle; a close-up; cockpit footage; a map; details of the equipment; alternative footage. Repeated footage is very noticeable in the finished video. 12. Understanding Military Equipment You do not have to be a military expert, but the editor should have at least a basic understanding of military equipment or be willing to research and verify it. For this channel, it is important to distinguish between different aircraft, ships, and weapon systems. One of the worst mistakes is when the narrator is talking about one piece of military equipment while something completely different is shown on screen. If you do not know what a particular system looks like, you should verify it before using the footage. Video Style The main goal is to create a dynamic military documentary/entertainment-style video where the viewer does not simply listen to the story but visually follows the development of the operation. There is no need to create extremely complicated editing every second. What matters much more is: the right shot + the right moment + strong sound design + a clear map + good pacing. The editing should help tell the story. Deadlines The workflow moves at a fairly fast pace. New material usually becomes available every 2–3 days. Therefore, it is important to: meet the agreed deadlines; let me know in advance if there is a problem; not disappear for several days without responding; maintain normal communication; be ready to regularly take on new videos. If you finish a video earlier than the deadline, I can often provide the next project immediately. Revisions After receiving the first version of the video, I review it and may provide a list of revisions. Typical revisions may include: incorrect aircraft/ship; incorrect route on the map; footage that does not match the narration; SFX that are too loud; missing sound effects; missing equipment labels; incorrect time displayed; missing important on-screen information; repeated footage; insufficiently dynamic editing. I expect reasonable minor revisions after the first version to be included in the project price.