One-off project
Worldwide
Worldwide remote
Paid 3-minute editing test: $75–100
ASAP
2 months ago
Enchiridion is a 127K-subscriber YouTube channel creating evidence-driven documentaries about paleontology, prehistoric life, evolution, and deep time.
I’m looking for a talented long-form YouTube documentary editor who can help turn finished narration, scripts, scientific evidence, paleoart, archival material, footage, and rough visual plans into compelling finished videos.
This is initially a paid editing audition / one-off project, with the possibility of becoming recurring weekly work if we are a strong fit.
The Paid Test
Selected candidates will receive the same approximately 3-minute section from an upcoming documentary, The Predators That Hunted Humans.
You will receive:
- Finished narration/audio
- Corresponding script
- A rough visual scratch track
- Important scientific figures, fossil photographs, paleoart, and selected footage
- Detailed creative and scientific-accuracy guidelines
- Specific style references
I will intentionally not provide every visual. A major part of this role is being able to interpret narration independently, research appropriate supporting imagery, solve visual storytelling problems, and make thoughtful editing decisions without constant micromanagement.
The rough cut is only a visual scratch track — not the desired final editing standard.
What I’m Looking For
The ideal editor is strong at:
- Long-form documentary storytelling
- Pacing and viewer retention
- Cinematic editing
- Motion graphics
- Graphic design and information design
- Working with scientific papers, photographs, maps, diagrams, and archival material
- Turning static evidence into clear visual explanations
- Researching and sourcing appropriate supporting visuals
- Sound design
- Working independently from narration and a script
Scientific accuracy is extremely important. You should be comfortable distinguishing between evidence, interpretation, and illustration rather than simply choosing whatever visual looks the most dramatic.
I am especially interested in editors whose portfolios show documentary, science, history, educational, investigative, or video-essay work.
Visual Style
The target is cinematic, intelligent, mysterious, atmospheric, modern, evidence-driven, and visually clear.
The edit should not feel like a generic hyperactive YouTube video filled with unnecessary subtitles, memes, stock transitions, or constant effects.
My three primary references are:
- Enchiridion — Spinosaurus Broke Paleontology: primary reference for the channel’s existing identity, tone, pacing, and scientific seriousness
- melodysheep — LIFE BEYOND: Chapter 1: reference for atmosphere, scale, visual escalation, sound-image relationships, and cinematic scientific storytelling
- LEMMiNO — The Kennedy Assassination: Inside the Book Depository: reference for information design, evidence presentation, photographs, documents, maps, diagrams, and directing the viewer’s attention
The goal is not to imitate these channels. The goal is to combine strong visual reasoning with Enchiridion’s own identity.
Compensation
The initial approximately 3-minute audition is paid at $75–100, depending on experience and portfolio.
I expect to select approximately three candidates for the paid test.
The strongest candidate may then receive a larger paid test, a full documentary, and potentially recurring weekly work.
How to Apply
Please email:
- A short introduction
- Your editing portfolio
- 2–4 examples most relevant to this specific documentary style
- Your normal rates for long-form YouTube editing
- Your typical turnaround time
- What software you primarily edit in
- Your timezone / location
Please prioritize your most relevant work rather than sending a very large portfolio.
I care much more about taste, storytelling, independence, visual reasoning, scientific comprehension, and communication than flashy effects alone.