The Old World Echoes is a British history channel focused on the realities of everyday life in the past—how people earned a living, managed their money, and navigated the social changes around them. Our videos use a documentary format built around voiceover, archival imagery, paintings, maps, and historical documents, enhanced with tasteful motion, zooms, and subtle visual movement.

We’re currently reworking a video on the Fabian Society and need an editor who can turn a solid script and voiceover into a much stronger viewing experience. The topic has potential, but the previous edit didn’t keep viewers engaged long enough. Your job will be to create a version that feels tighter, more dynamic, and more compelling from the opening moments through to the final line.

What you’ll be working on:

• Cutting a 9-minute documentary around a completed voiceover
• Using the existing image library from the first version as the main visual base, while sourcing a few additional images where needed
• Improving pacing so the story opens strongly, builds momentum, and delivers key moments with impact
• Keeping the visuals active with varied motion, close-up crops, and enough visual changes to maintain attention
• Adding simple on-screen text, maps, and callouts when they support the narrative
• Selecting music and sound effects that enhance the tone without overpowering the narration
• Applying a consistent vintage or period-appropriate visual treatment
• Completing up to two rounds of revisions

What we’re looking for:

We want someone who thinks like a storyteller, not just a technician. You should be able to identify where a documentary loses energy, understand why viewers may drop off, and make smart editorial choices that improve retention. The ideal editor knows when to hold on a powerful image, when to cut, and when to shift the music or rhythm to support a change in the story.

• Experience editing narrative YouTube content such as documentaries, history videos, explainers, essays, or true crime
• Ability to make still images feel cinematic and engaging without relying on flashy effects
• Strong awareness of pacing, audience retention, and storytelling flow
• Willingness to flag sections of the script that may need adjustment rather than only cutting around problems
• Clear communication and reliable turnaround times
• Interest in British history or social history is a plus
• Potential for ongoing work if this project is a good fit

Requirements:

• A portfolio including at least one documentary or narrative edit, preferably one made primarily from still images or archival material
• Experience with DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro; Resolve experience is preferred but not required
• Use of copyright-safe music and sound effects only
• Ability to complete the project within a few days
• Budget for this project: $100

If you’re an editor who enjoys shaping historical stories into polished, watchable videos, we’d love to see your work.