Documentary Video EditorAbout UKOS Studio
UKOS Studio is a video production and content studio creating research driven, documentary style content for digital audiences.
We are looking for a Documentary Video Editor who can turn a completed script, voiceover, AI generated visuals, stock footage, and archival footage into engaging 5 to 15 minute documentary style videos.
This role is specifically for someone who understands visual storytelling and documentary editing. We are not looking for someone whose primary skill is social media editing, captions, or fast paced Reels.
Position
Role: Documentary Video Editor
Experience: 1 to 3 years
Employment Type: Full Time
Contract: 3 Month Contract
Work: Remote
Video Length: 5 to 15 minutes
Compensation: Based on experience and current industry standards
What You Will Do
You will take a finished script and voiceover and build the complete visual narrative around it.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Editing 5 to 15 minute documentary style videos.
- Understanding the script and identifying the visual requirements for each section.
- Selecting appropriate stock footage, archival footage, photographs, screenshots, maps, graphics, and AI generated visuals.
- Creating a strong visual narrative that supports the voiceover.
- Searching for and selecting relevant footage from available sources.
- Using AI generated videos and images as part of the visual storytelling process.
- Creating smooth transitions between different visual sources.
- Maintaining visual continuity throughout the video.
- Using cinematic pacing appropriate to the subject and story.
- Creating tension, curiosity, emotion, and momentum through editing.
- Using sound effects, ambient sounds, music, and other elements to create an immersive experience.
- Performing basic colour correction and visual matching between footage from different sources.
- Adding simple motion graphics, maps, diagrams, text, and other visual elements when required.
- Making sure visuals change at an appropriate pace without becoming unnecessarily distracting.
- Delivering polished final videos according to the required deadlines.
- Implementing feedback and revisions efficiently.
The Type of Editor We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who can tell a story visually.
The script and voiceover will provide the narrative, but your job is to make the viewer see and feel that narrative.
For example, if the narration discusses a historical event, we do not want the same generic stock clip playing for 20 seconds.
We want the editor to think about:
- What should the viewer see at this exact moment?
- Can archival footage make this section more powerful?
- Would an AI generated visual help explain this concept?
- Should we use a photograph, map, document, or graphic here?
- Where should the visual change?
- Where should we slow down?
- Where should we create tension?
- What visual can communicate this idea better than simply showing stock footage?
You should be comfortable making creative decisions rather than waiting for every visual instruction to be provided.
Documentary Editing Skills
You should have a strong understanding of:
- Documentary storytelling
- Narrative pacing
- Visual storytelling
- Voiceover driven editing
- B roll selection
- Archival footage
- Stock footage
- AI generated visuals
- Sound design
- Music selection
- Ambient sound
- J cuts and L cuts
- Match cuts
- Visual continuity
- Basic colour correction
- Motion graphics
- Maps and infographic elements
- Text and typography
- Cinematic composition
- Building tension and curiosity
Responsibilities in the Production Workflow
The general workflow will be:
Script → Voiceover → Visual Research → Footage Selection → Rough Cut → Visual Storytelling → Sound Design → Motion Graphics → Colour Correction → Final Polish → Delivery
You will primarily be responsible for the editing and visual storytelling stages of this process.
You may receive a combination of:
- Final scripts
- Voiceover recordings
- AI generated videos
- AI generated images
- Stock footage
- Archival footage
- Photographs
- Screenshots
- Graphics
- Research references
Your responsibility is to turn these materials into a cohesive documentary film.
RequirementsEssential
- 1 to 3 years of professional video editing experience.
- Demonstrable experience with documentary style editing.
- Strong understanding of visual storytelling.
- Experience editing voiceover driven content.
- Good understanding of pacing and narrative structure.
- Ability to work with stock footage and archival footage.
- Ability to find and select appropriate visuals based on a script.
- Familiarity with AI generated video and image assets.
- Strong sound design and music selection skills.
- Basic motion graphics knowledge.
- Good understanding of colour correction.
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or similar professional editing software.
Preferred
- Experience working on YouTube documentaries.
- Experience with history, business, technology, science, geopolitics, culture, or investigative content.
- Experience working with AI generated video.
- Experience with After Effects.
- Experience creating maps, timelines, diagrams, and simple infographics.
- Understanding of YouTube audience retention.
- Experience working with large amounts of stock and archival footage.
Portfolio Requirement: Mandatory
A portfolio is mandatory for this position.
Applicants must submit a portfolio containing documentary style video editing work.
Your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to create 5 to 15 minute documentary style videos, preferably using a combination of:
- Voiceover
- Stock footage
- Archival footage
- AI generated visuals
- Photographs
- Graphics
- Sound design
- Music
Applications Without a Portfolio Will Be Rejected.
Please do not apply if you cannot provide relevant editing samples.
We are specifically looking for documentary style editing examples.
A portfolio consisting only of:
- Instagram Reels
- TikTok edits
- Gaming videos
- Wedding videos
- Talking head clips
- Basic caption edits
- Meme edits
will not be considered sufficient for this position unless it also contains relevant documentary style work.
If you do not have professional documentary work in your portfolio, you may submit a self initiated documentary style project that demonstrates your editing ability.
What We Value
We value storytelling over flashy effects.
A good documentary editor should know when to use an effect and, more importantly, when not to use one.
We are looking for someone who:
- Thinks visually.
- Understands storytelling.
- Has strong attention to detail.
- Can make creative visual decisions.
- Has good footage research skills.
- Understands pacing.
- Has strong music and sound instincts.
- Can maintain visual consistency.
- Can work independently.
- Can take feedback and improve quickly.
- Is reliable with deadlines.
- Wants to build high quality documentary content.
Daily Work Expectations
The exact number of videos may vary depending on the complexity of each project.
The primary expectation is to consistently produce high quality 5 to 15 minute documentary videos according to the production schedule.
This is not a role where speed is prioritised over quality. We want efficient editors who can maintain a high standard of storytelling while meeting deadlines.
Contract and Compensation
This is a 3 month full time contract position.
Compensation will be based on:
- Professional experience
- Editing ability
- Documentary storytelling skills
- Portfolio quality
- Technical skills
- Overall production quality
Based on performance and business requirements, the contract may be extended after the initial 3 month period.
How to Apply
Send the following to:
[email protected]
Required
- CV or Resume
- Portfolio link
- Documentary style editing samples
- Brief description of your role in the projects included in your portfolio
Please clearly identify which projects demonstrate your documentary editing experience.
Important
Applications without a portfolio will be rejected.
Applications without documentary style editing samples may not be considered.
We are looking for editors who can turn a script into a compelling visual story, not simply assemble footage on a timeline.
Job Types: Part-time, Contractual / Temporary, Freelance
Contract length: 3 months
Pay: ₹35,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: Remote
