About the role
Kestrel Visual Press is a fictional photo and video agency. This sample listing illustrates a contract role for a video journalist who also holds a drone pilot qualification. The work is assignment-based: you are booked for a day or a project, deliver the footage and move on.
Aerial footage can add scale and context to a story, but only if it is gathered safely and legally. This role is for someone who treats those rules as part of the craft rather than an obstacle.
What you will do
- Shoot aerial and ground video on assignment, following the shot list and editorial brief.
- Check local flight rules, weather and site conditions before every flight and keep a written log.
- Edit short news cuts and raw selects on deadline, with clear file naming and metadata.
- Work with reporters and producers to ensure that pictures and script match, and that footage is not misleading.
- Follow privacy and consent practices, especially when filming people or private property.
- Maintain your equipment and report any incidents promptly.
What we are looking for
- A current drone pilot qualification valid for the region where the work takes place.
- A showreel with examples of both aerial and ground-level news video.
- Strong editing skills in common non-linear editing software.
- A safety-first approach and willingness to decline a flight that is not safe or lawful.
- Reliable transport and the ability to carry and set up equipment independently.
How the team works
Contractors are managed by a video editor who assigns work through a shared calendar. Briefs arrive the day before whenever possible, and the editor is available by message during shoots.
This listing is remote, which here means working from your own base and travelling to assignments. Some equipment is described as supplied, and some is expected to be your own.
Pay and conditions
The illustrative day rate is $350 to $600 per assignment day. It is an invented range for this launch edition and not a real rate card. Contract work typically comes with no paid leave or guaranteed hours, which a real listing should state clearly.
Questions worth asking on any real contract: who owns the footage, how quickly invoices are paid, what happens if an assignment is cancelled, and what insurance covers. Adjustments for disability are welcome to discuss.