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Documentary Film Associate

Making an Exoneree
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Position Summary

Making an Exoneree is seeking a highly capable and collaborative Documentary Film Associate to support the documentary filmmaking and teaching components of Making an Exoneree (MAE), a multi-university course in which undergraduate students reinvestigate wrongful convictions and produce eight-minute documentaries, websites, and social media campaigns advocating for justice. Since the class was founded in 2018, 13 individuals whose cases were worked on by MAE students are now free. Read more about the program at www.makinganexoneree.org.

This role functions as a direct teaching, production, and creative support partner to the lead documentary instructor. The associate will help mentor students, co-lead lessons, provide editing guidance, help students manage post-production timelines, and offer 1-on-1 creative feedback across ~22 student film teams at five universities: Georgetown, NYU, Princeton, Rice, and UC Santa Cruz.
 

Key Responsibilities

Teaching & Mentorship

  • Assist in developing lesson plans and workshop materials on creative storytelling, interviewing, structure, b-roll, editing, and more.
  • Co-teach or lead select lessons (virtually or in-person) to the university classes on subjects ranging from camera and exposure basics to the ethics of documentary filmmaking.
  • Offer creative critique and individualized feedback during in-class exercises and during weekly 1-on-1 “hour office” meetings with student groups.

Post-Production Support

  • Guide student teams through editing fundamentals (narrative arc, pacing, transitions, interview cutting).
  • Provide hands-on help with editing in Premiere Pro, including project file cleanup, timeline refinement, organization, and the inevitable technical troubleshooting that comes with Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Medium-heavy animation or motion graphics support (lower thirds, maps, text overlays, and even 3D crime reconstruction) as needed.
  • Assist with preparing picture lock versions and reviewing sound design, music timing, and export prep.

Creative & Strategic Thinking

  • Help teams unlock story direction when stuck, especially after filming.
  • Offer coaching on narrative tension, emotional beats, and audience impact.
  • Spot early warning signs of projects falling behind and help redirect them before deadlines are missed.

Multi-Campus Coordination

  • Maintain a pulse on student progress across all five universities.
  • Attend and participate in major showcase preparations, both virtually and in person (as possible).

 

Ideal Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • Significant video production experience.
  • Deep understanding of documentary filmmaking, from pre-production to post.
  • Producing, scripting, research or development experience is a plus.
  • Strong teacher-mentor instincts: able to coach beginners while encouraging bold storytelling choices.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, with comfort using After Effects, Blender, and Photoshop
    • Adobe Illustrator bonus
    • Davinci Resolve bonus
  • DSLR camera knowledge
    • Canon preferred
  • A full understanding of camera exposure settings, microphones, and set lighting.
  • Strategic social media marketing and content creation is a plus
  • Strong troubleshooting and general technical skills
  • Organized and responsive communicator, able to juggle multiple groups across time zones.
  • Experience with project-based learning, social justice storytelling, or wrongful conviction work is a plus.
     

Time Commitment

  • January - March: Co-develop and help lead weekly documentary lectures/workshops.
  • March: Support teams through spring break filming readiness and trip prep.
  • April - May: Heavy support during editing, animation, and final production (most demanding time).
  • Late May - June: Less demanding support during editing, animation, and final production.
  • Time commitment fluctuates but averages 20 hours/week.

 

Term: January, 1st – June 1st, 2026

Position Type: Part-Time / Contract

Compensation: $22/hour

Time Commitment: ~20 hours/week (heavier weeks March–May)

Reports to: Sullivan Gaudreault (Lead Documentary Instructor)

Location: Remote with occasional in-person work dependent on your location.

Preferred: Washington D.C., NYC, Texas, or California
 

How to Apply: Please complete the application using this link:

https://airtable.com/appJCizGn3F0pmAJq/pagJeQ7rzlpPz4nyM/form
 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to contact@makinganexoneree.org.