Unscripted Editor

Early Media • Austin, TX

4d

About The Position

Early Media is hiring an unscripted editor to shape real-world footage into premium, YouTube-style content across a slate that includes character-driven docuseries, challenges, and other formats. The editor will work alongside directors and producers to find compelling stories in raw footage and create polished edits that earn and hold audience attention. The role includes editorial work from assembly through picture lock, running an efficient edit pipeline with an Assistant Editor, and preparing clean handoffs for finishing. The expected cadence includes turning 15-minute shoots into tight 5-minute pieces every 2–3 weeks. The company is moving quickly and building its processes as it goes, so the role suits someone comfortable working in a less structured environment.

Requirements

• Efficient editor with a strong creative point of view.
• Strong editorial portfolio in unscripted content such as docuseries, documentary, reality, or social-first formats, demonstrating storytelling instincts and the ability to build narrative from raw footage.
• Fluency in YouTube-style editing, including opening videos, structuring acts, placing pattern interrupts, and explaining why edits by large creators work.
• Proven experience with fast-turnaround content and systems that support a sustainable regular publishing schedule.
• Expertise in Premiere Pro, including collaborative workflows, sync sound, finishing round trips, and proxy workflows.
• Working knowledge of other disciplines, including graphics, temporary VFX, and sound design, to communicate creative intent.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills, including proper workflow and naming conventions and the ability to manage multiple projects without losing quality.

Nice To Haves

• Background in both short-form content and unscripted entertainment, with comfort shifting between formats, concepts, and episode lengths.
• Proficiency in motion graphics, including proposing and independently implementing graphics to support the story.
• Experience working on a larger team in a post-house, production company, or projects with multiple post-team members, and understanding workflows at larger scale.
• Mentoring experience and an interest in developing assistant editors and young talent.

Responsibilities

• Edit projects from assembly through picture lock, delivering creative, polished work on time and to a high quality bar.
• Find narrative threads, moments, and character arcs in raw footage rather than simply executing a script.
• Create cuts with a YouTube-native sensibility, using strong hooks, pattern interrupts, and audience-retaining pacing.
• Run the edit pipeline with an Assistant Editor, keeping media and workflows organized for a high-volume, fast-turnaround cadence.
• Deliver tight 5-minute pieces from 15-minute shoots every 2–3 weeks.
• Maintain an organized and consistent workflow to support smooth color, sound, and VFX finishing.
• Help build the editorial department and its workflows.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed