Assistant Editor Contractor at Newlab in Detroit, MI

Newlab is seeking an independent contractor Assistant Editor to support the production of high-quality, documentary-style content across digital, social, and experiential platforms.

This role is highly execution-focused. You will be responsible for organizing, managing, assembling, and preparing media assets for final edit. You will work closely with the team to ensure projects are technically sound, efficiently structured, and creatively supported from ingest through delivery.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, systems-driven, and fluent in unscripted storytelling workflows. We are looking for a person that is willing to work in-person. 

Key Responsibilities

Media Management & Organization

• Ingest, log, and organize raw footage (multi-camera interviews, vérité/doc-style footage, event coverage, drone, b-roll, etc.)
• Maintain structured project folders and naming conventions across productions
• Sync audio and video; group multi-cam sequences
• Manage archival, graphics, music, and stock assets
• Prepare clean project files for lead editors

Transcription & Story Prep

• Generate and organize interview transcripts
• Pull selects and build string-outs from unscripted interviews
• Assist in identifying narrative arcs from documentary-style footage
• Create paper edits and support story development workflows

Assembly & Rough Cuts

• Build rough assemblies and radio cuts
• Cut interview-driven segments, montages, social loops, and recap edits
• Prepare internal review exports with timecode and version control
• Incorporate feedback notes into revised assemblies

Delivery & Technical Support

• Prep final exports for multiple platforms (LinkedIn, web, event screens, reels, etc.)
• Ensure correct formatting, aspect ratios, codecs, and caption integration
• Maintain version tracking and final archive organization

Types of Projects

• Documentary-style pilot case studies
• Founder interviews and profiles
• Unscripted event recap videos
• Sizzle reels and montage-driven edits
• Looping event visuals
• Fast paced social-native content
• Brand narrative films

What Success Looks Like

• Editors can immediately begin creative work because projects are cleanly structured
• Interview content is searchable, organized, and pre-select pulled
• Rough assemblies reduce lead editor turnaround time
• Final files are delivered accurately and on time
• Projects move efficiently from shoot to publish

Compensation:

$30 hour/up to 10 hours a week 

 

This is a 1099 contractor role.