Documentary Film Editor Required
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Job Title
Documentary Video Editor – Short Film on Black Children with Down Syndrome
Job Description
I’m producing a short documentary (8–12 minutes) exploring the topic of Black children with Down syndrome and visibility, with Tonye (mother and advocate) as the primary narrative anchor.
I have over 5 hours of sit-down interview footage of Tonye telling her story across multiple sessions, alongside a large amount of archive footage and images (family moments, artwork, contextual material).
While Tonye is the central voice, the film is about the topic as a whole, not a personal profile. The editor’s role is to shape a clear, thoughtful narrative from long-form interview material and supporting visuals.
For tone and pacing reference, this documentary is a useful guide (not for copying style, just overall approach):
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFkcoTfr7g&t=632s
This is a story-led, sensitive documentary, not promotional content.
What You’ll Be Editing
~5+ hours of interview footage (primary narrative source)
Archive footage and images (provided)
Supporting visuals to broaden context beyond one individual
Light on-screen graphics where helpful (titles, lower-thirds, simple explanatory visuals)
Music (references or tracks provided)
Opening title + end slate
Your Responsibilities
Review and distil long-form interview footage into a tight, coherent narrative
Shape a topic-led documentary structure (not just a personal story edit)
Integrate archive footage meaningfully to support the wider theme
Edit a 8–12 minute final cut with strong pacing and emotional restraint
Add minimal, tasteful graphics where scientific or contextual clarity is needed
Basic colour correction and audio balancing
Deliver final film in high-quality MP4
This project prioritises editorial judgement, sensitivity, and structure over effects.
What I’m Looking For
Experience editing documentary or interview-driven films
Confidence working with large amounts of raw interview footage
Strong narrative instincts and ability to identify key thematic moments
Ability to add simple, clean graphics where appropriate
Respectful approach to sensitive subject matter
Please only apply if you’ve edited documentary or story-led content before.
Budget
$120 fixed price
Includes:
1 complete documentary cut
1 round of reasonable revisions
If the collaboration goes well, there will be additional paid work (cut-downs, subtitles, future documentaries).
Timeline
Target delivery: 7–10 days
Clear milestones agreed before editing begins
To Apply
Please include:
1–2 examples of documentary or interview-led edits
A short note on how you approach shaping long interviews into a focused story
(Optional) examples of light graphics used within documentary work
Documentary Video Editor – Short Film on Black Children with Down Syndrome
Job Description
I’m producing a short documentary (8–12 minutes) exploring the topic of Black children with Down syndrome and visibility, with Tonye (mother and advocate) as the primary narrative anchor.
I have over 5 hours of sit-down interview footage of Tonye telling her story across multiple sessions, alongside a large amount of archive footage and images (family moments, artwork, contextual material).
While Tonye is the central voice, the film is about the topic as a whole, not a personal profile. The editor’s role is to shape a clear, thoughtful narrative from long-form interview material and supporting visuals.
For tone and pacing reference, this documentary is a useful guide (not for copying style, just overall approach):
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFkcoTfr7g&t=632s
This is a story-led, sensitive documentary, not promotional content.
What You’ll Be Editing
~5+ hours of interview footage (primary narrative source)
Archive footage and images (provided)
Supporting visuals to broaden context beyond one individual
Light on-screen graphics where helpful (titles, lower-thirds, simple explanatory visuals)
Music (references or tracks provided)
Opening title + end slate
Your Responsibilities
Review and distil long-form interview footage into a tight, coherent narrative
Shape a topic-led documentary structure (not just a personal story edit)
Integrate archive footage meaningfully to support the wider theme
Edit a 8–12 minute final cut with strong pacing and emotional restraint
Add minimal, tasteful graphics where scientific or contextual clarity is needed
Basic colour correction and audio balancing
Deliver final film in high-quality MP4
This project prioritises editorial judgement, sensitivity, and structure over effects.
What I’m Looking For
Experience editing documentary or interview-driven films
Confidence working with large amounts of raw interview footage
Strong narrative instincts and ability to identify key thematic moments
Ability to add simple, clean graphics where appropriate
Respectful approach to sensitive subject matter
Please only apply if you’ve edited documentary or story-led content before.
Budget
$120 fixed price
Includes:
1 complete documentary cut
1 round of reasonable revisions
If the collaboration goes well, there will be additional paid work (cut-downs, subtitles, future documentaries).
Timeline
Target delivery: 7–10 days
Clear milestones agreed before editing begins
To Apply
Please include:
1–2 examples of documentary or interview-led edits
A short note on how you approach shaping long interviews into a focused story
(Optional) examples of light graphics used within documentary work