YouTube Video Editor (High-Retention, Commentary Channel)

About the Channel: ----------

Commentary-style videos with my voiceover + mixed media (clips, images, ---------- s, overlays). The goal is **high retention** through sharp pacing, purposeful b-roll, kinetic text, and strong sound design. Think: punchy cuts, no dead air, pattern interrupts, tasteful zooms/crops, and music/SFX to heighten ---------- nts.

## What You’ll Do

- **Edit long-form commentary videos**: assemble A-roll VO, remove filler/dead air, and structure segments for retention (hooks, mid-video spikes, re-engagement beats).
- **Add compelling visuals**: b-roll, screenshots, citations, ---------- s, motion graphics, and on-screen callouts that reinforce the point being made.
- **Sound design**: layer music and SFX to **amplify emotion** and transitions (rises, stingers, whooshes), and balance levels (VO always clear).
- **Text & graphic elements**: lower thirds, highlights, captions for emphasis, chapter cards, and simple kinetic typography when needed.
- **Basic color & audio polish**: quick grade/match shots; noise reduction, EQ, compression on VO to broadcast-clean quality.
- **Brand consistency**: follow fonts, colors, and edit style; maintain organized project files and exports.
- **Thumbnails support (nice-to-have)**: pulling stills, quick comps, or text treatments for the thumbnail team.

## Must-Have Experience

- **Proven high-retention editing** for commentary/essay/streamer or fast-paced YouTube formats (please include links!).
- **Fluency in Premiere Pro** (preferred) or Final Cut; After Effects/CapCut/Resolve a plus.
- **Sound design**: music selection that matches mood, SFX timing that enhances jokes/emphasis without clutter.
- **Story sense**: knows pacing, acts, and how to keep viewers watching (hooks, pattern interrupts, payoff).
- **YouTube-ready exports**: correct aspect ratios, loudness targets, and delivery specs (4K/1080p, 23.976/29.97).
- Strong English comprehension for accurate cut decisions and on-screen text.

## Nice-to-Haves

- Motion graphics (simple AE animations, kinetic text)
- Experience cutting short-form derivatives from long-form (Reels/Shorts/TikTok)
- ---------- literacy and tasteful humor

## KPIs You’ll Care About

- **Average View Duration (AVD) / Retention curve stability**
- **Hook performance (first 30–60s)**
- **Revision turnaround time & file hygiene**

## Workload & Availability

- ~**4 hours per day**, **5 days/week** (?20 hrs/week)
- Asynchronous is fine, but you must **hit agreed deadlines** and be reachable for notes during overlap with PST.

## Compensation

- **$3/hour**
- **Estimate:** ?**$260/month** (20 hrs/week × 4.33 weeks × $3/hr).
- Payments on a regular schedule (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly) via the agreed method.

> Note: There will be a paid trial. Upon completion you will be paid $3.

## Trial (Skills Assessment)

You’ll edit the **first 60 seconds** of a provided voiceover/script + assets to demonstrate:

- Cold open/hook structure (no dead air, immediate context)
- B-roll relevance and pacing (cuts every 1–3 seconds where appropriate)
- ---------- s/pattern interrupts (at least 1–2)
- On-screen emphasis (pop-ins, highlights, kinetic text)
- Music/SFX integration with clean VO mixing

**Deliverables for Trial:**

- 60s MP4 (1080p, H.264), plus a short note (3–5 bullets) explaining your edit choices.
- Timeline screenshot showing your organization (VO, music, SFX, b-roll tracks).

## How to Apply

Send:

1. **Portfolio links** to your best **commentary/high-retention** edits (top 3).
2. A 2–3 sentence note on **how you approach retention** in the first minute.
3. Your **editing stack** (Premiere/AE/etc.) and computer specs.