True Crime YouTube Video Editor – Talking Head + Cinematic B-Roll

We are looking for an experienced YouTube video editor who understands True Crime storytelling and high-retention editing to work on our channel, Real Crime Tales. The primary footage will be a talking-head host telling the story of a real criminal case. Your job is to take that footage and turn it into a polished, engaging true crime video using strong pacing, strategic cuts, relevant B-roll, sound design, visual effects, transitions, and color grading. We do not want the host covered with B-roll constantly. The talking head should remain the foundation of the video, while additional visual elements are used intentionally to improve storytelling, emphasize important moments, and maintain viewer attention. Editing Style The finished videos should feel like a combination of a polished talking-head YouTube video and a modern true crime documentary. You should be comfortable using techniques such as: Jump cuts to tighten the host's delivery and remove unnecessary pauses Slow punch-ins and zoom-outs on the talking head to create subtle visual movement Quick punch-in zooms during shocking, important, or high-energy moments Strategic changes in framing to prevent the talking-head footage from becoming visually repetitive Relevant B-roll that directly supports what the host is discussing Crime scene/location footage where appropriate Photos of individuals involved in the case News reports and archival footage Courtroom footage Police/bodycam footage when available Maps and location graphics Text messages, social media posts, documents, evidence, newspaper headlines, and other case-related material Ken Burns-style movement on photographs and documents Panning and zooming across static images On-screen text for important names, dates, locations, quotes, or evidence Smooth transitions when transitioning between major sections of the story Hard cuts when they create stronger impact Subtle blur, flash, camera movement, shake, impact, or distortion effects when appropriate Speed ramps or controlled motion effects when they genuinely improve a moment Background music that supports the tone and evolves as the story develops Sound effects used strategically for reveals, transitions, documents, messages, headlines, and other important moments Strategic music drops or silence before major revelations The goal is not to add an effect every few seconds. Effects should feel intentional and motivated by the story. Color Grading & Visual Identity Color grading will be an important part of the channel's look. We want the videos to have a distinct visual atmosphere appropriate for True Crime content, rather than simply using the raw camera image. The editor should be capable of: Professionally correcting the talking-head footage Creating a consistent look across episodes Developing a unique grade that complements the darker investigative tone of the channel Maintaining natural-looking skin tones Adjusting the grade during certain sections when a different emotional tone is appropriate Matching B-roll from different sources so the overall video still feels cohesive We want Real Crime Tales to eventually have a recognizable visual identity, and the editor will play an important role in establishing that. Viewer Retention Understanding YouTube audience retention is extremely important. The editing should help maintain attention without becoming distracting or over-edited. You should understand how to use: Jump cuts Punch-ins B-roll Sound effects Music changes Visual pattern interrupts Graphics Text Framing changes Strategic pauses Faster and slower editing rhythms to complement the host's storytelling. For example, an important revelation may benefit from a slow push-in on the host followed by a brief pause or music drop. A sequence explaining how a crime occurred may benefit from faster cuts between the host, location footage, maps, photographs, and evidence. An emotional part of the story may need fewer cuts and more restrained editing. We want an editor who understands when NOT to cut just as much as when to cut. Responsibilities You will be responsible for: Editing the primary talking-head footage Removing mistakes, unnecessary pauses, and dead space Creating clean jump cuts Using punch-ins and framing changes to improve visual pacing Adding appropriate B-roll Sourcing additional supporting visuals when necessary Incorporating photos, documents, maps, news footage, screenshots, and archival material Creating simple motion graphics when appropriate Adding transitions and visual effects Adding sound effects and sound design Selecting and placing appropriate background music Mixing dialogue, music, and sound effects properly Color correcting and grading the footage Maintaining a consistent visual style across episodes Delivering a polished, YouTube-ready final video Completing reasonable revisions based on feedback Requirements You should have experience editing: True Crime Documentary content Investigativ