We have several roles to fill in our growing multimedia department. This is a unique opportunity to join a small, hardworking team at the ground level.
Our studio is editorially driven and mandated to innovate. For us, it’s not about the news cycle or hot takes or not believing what happened next. Our goal is to tell the kind of stories people remember and want to share, and not just in the social media sense. There are so many incredibly interesting stories out there. Can you help us bring them to life in video?
All of these positions are full-time, in-house, based in Manhattan. We offer health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, 401K, FSA/transit flexible spending, vacation time, plus various discounts on gym memberships, entertainment, etc, all in a flexible and fun working environment. (We have a strict no drama policy!)
To apply, please send the relevant materials (detailed in descriptions below) to videojobs@mentalfloss.com. Include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.
Video Producer
You will create multiple videos during the course of a week, taking story ideas from our team of writers (as well pitching lots of your own) and seeing them through every stage of production to the final product. This includes:
– Writing engaging scripts that fit seamlessly with the Mental Floss voice
– Shooting single and multi-camera footage in studio and on location; lighting and rolling audio
– Editing video and coordinating graphics and post-production
– Strategizing distribution for different platforms
– Managing production schedules, workflow, and budgets
– Coordinating studio and field productions, managing freelancers and talent, and acquiring resources (props, catering, equipment, etc.)
You should be ambitious, detail-oriented and deadline-driven, and comfortable being a key player on a team as well as managing independent projects. You have an eye for finding the Mental Floss angle for any given subject, and an ability to tell the story conversationally and creatively. A sense of humor, wit, and the proclivity to pitch in and do whatever needs doing to get the job done are essential.
You should have:
– 3+ years making short-form digital video
– Experience shooting (single and multiple cameras), lighting, and audio recording in the studio and on location
– Experience editing videos and guiding other editors’ work
– A knowledge of “what works” across platforms — but also an inclination to push the boundaries and innovate
– Comfort and creativity with managing budgets and resources: you can produce Perrier shoots on La Croix budgets
– A strong and wide network you can draw on as unanticipated needs arise
– Strong scriptwriting skills
– Proficiency in Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects
– Efficiency and grace under tight deadlines
Please send your resume and provide 3 or more relevant links to work you have done. In your cover letter please tell us:
What unique personal or professional qualities you bring to a team
What are 3 videos you would make for Mental Floss, if you could make ANYTHING?
Video Editor
This editor will be responsible for helping a high volume of original short-form video for our site and other platforms, on quick turnaround times.
We’re looking for someone who can:
– Work with producers, writers, and designers to create videos combining raw footage, photography, motion graphics, and audio
– Search and acquire appropriate assets
– Handle multiple projects at a time, producing many completed projects in a week
– Review video performance across various platforms to hone design practices
– Brainstorm and contribute video ideas
– Troubleshoot technical issues
You should have:
– Expertise with Adobe Premiere, Adobe AfterEffects & the Creative Suite
– Ability to stage and shoot film in both field and studio
– An eye for the mental_floss aesthetic
– A sense of humor, wit, and a sharp eye for what makes visual content fun
– An understanding of the different forms videos need to take across different platforms
– Strong visual design, typography, and color theory knowledge and skills
– Strong organizational and prioritization skills along with keen attention to detail
– Ability to handle tight deadlines
Please send your resume and provide 3 or more relevant links to work you have done in your cover letter.
Motion Graphics Designer
We’re looking for a highly creative individual to oversee graphics and design (animating typography, images, etc) for videos on quick turnaround times. You’ll be taking an idea from our team of writers and seeing it through all stages of production, creating fun layouts and imagery, typography, and effects. There will also be opportunities to work on larger-scale animation projects with other team members. You should have an understanding of the different social media platforms and what works best on each of them, and a willingness to innovate and adapt as platforms evolve.
We’re looking for someone who can:
– Design sharp, fun, engaging graphics, motion graphics, and typography
– Work closely with editorial staff and producers to help bring ideas to life in video
– Understand the mental_floss aesthetic and enforce it across video platforms
– Search and acquire appropriate assets
– Handle multiple projects at a time, producing many completed projects in a week
– Review video performance across various platforms to hone design practices
– Brainstorm and contribute video ideas
– Operate a camera when needed in the field and in the studio
– Troubleshoot technical issues
You should have:
– Outstanding design and typography skills
– Proficiency with graphic design software packages (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, 3D Software)
– Ability to stage and shoot film in both field and studio
– A working knowledge of “what works” in video — but also an inclination to push the boundaries and innovate
– A sense of humor, wit, and a sharp eye for what makes visual content fun
Please send your resume and provide 3 or more relevant links to work you have done in your cover letter.
Assistant Producer
This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious entry level candidate to join a creative team and learn on the job while also making valuable contributions right away.
You’ll be assisting writers, editors, and producers in the creation of original video for our site and other platforms. Day to day, the job will vary quite a bit and will require you to be flexible, proactive, and self-starting. Duties might include sourcing graphics and audio assets, drafting scripts, research and fact-checking, assisting on field shoots, helping keep records and accounting, managing communications and scheduling for shoots and other projects. You won’t just be sitting at a desk! And you won’t just be fetching coffee.
We are a small, highly productive team and every member is expected to contribute creatively: the Assistant Producer will also take part in brainstorming meetings, pitch ideas, and create their own video projects. We’re looking for someone with a lot of ambition and an eagerness to learn.
You should be passionate about media and fascinated by video. Formal training in video production, writing, and/or design is helpful, but if you’re a quick learner with good instincts, we’ll teach you the technical skills you need. It’s more important to us that you have an interest in the type of smart, fun content we produce, ideas you’re excited to contribute, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to get a job done.
You should have:
– An immaculate attention to detail
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills
– Research skills that go beyond Googling
– Proactive tendencies: you are the type of person who can figure out what needs doing and get started on doing it without a lot of direction (that said, you should also be able to take direction well)
– A love of spreadsheets and organization in general
– A sense of humor, wit, and a sharp eye for what makes visual content fun and funny
– A fascination with video and a familiarity with all of the various platforms it lives on
Please send your resume and provide 3 or more relevant links to work you have done in your cover letter. These might be writing, design, video, or other digital projects. Please also include links to 3 videos online that you really loved, and tell us what you loved about them.
September 14, 2016 – 11:25am