Fellow, NAACP Editing Fellowship program

2024 NAACP Editing Fellowship program, in partnership with Adobe

Position: Fellow, NAACP Editing Fellowship program, in partnership with Adobe

Location: In-person in Los Angeles, or limited virtual opportunity

Duration: 14 weeks (May 28th, 2024 – August 30th, 2024)

Program Summary:

Adobe has partnered with the NAACP to support the launch of a new Editing Fellowship program to increase diverse representation in the post-production industry. The NAACP has long fought for equity and diversity in the workplace, and with Adobe’s support and collaboration, created a fellowship to nurture, develop and champion underrepresented voices.

Adobe’s Core Belief of Creativity for All:

Adobe believes everyone deserves the opportunity to create and make their voice heard. They support creators of all ages and backgrounds so they can express themselves, use their creativity for good, and reach their full potential. Learn more about how Adobe is elevating diverse voices here.

Position Summary:

The NAACP Editing Fellowship program, in partnership with Adobe, is a 14-week fellowship that includes training, mentorship and hands-on workplace experience. This Fellowship is for individuals who have some experience with video editing.

The program includes:

Intensive week-long retreat to launch the fellowship in Los Angeles. This retreat will include:

• Four days of training, led by an Adobe Certified Trainer on Creative Cloud, focused on Premiere Pro, Frame.io, After Effects and Audition.
• A special tour of an LA studio lot
• Meet and greet with NAACP leadership
• And more surprises
  • Travel to Los Angeles will be provided, as needed.

Industry mentorship pairing – You will be paired with a mentor for the 14-week program, providing access to one-on-one guidance and career advice. Anticipated mentors include:

• Daysha Broadway, ACE (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Insecure)
• E.J. Barrois (The Challenge, Keeping Up with the Kardashians)
• Sandra Montiel, ACE (The Good Doctor, Brooklyn Nine Nine)
• Stephanie Filo, ACE (A Black Lady Sketch Show, Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story)

Craft conversations – Notable industry experts across disciplines will discuss different facets of the editing business in special conversations hosted for our fellows. These classes, available on-demand via the NAACP's social channels, will provide insights for anyone interested in pursuing a career in post-production. Anticipated speakers Include:

• Documentary editor Carla Gutierrez, ACE (RBG, Julia)
• Television editor Shaheed Qaasim (Poker Face, Reboot)
• Director, producer, and screenwriter Lee Daniels (The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, The Butler, Precious)
• Creator, showrunner, screenwriter, and executive producer Dayna Lynne North (Insecure, The Best Man: The Final Chapters)
• Visual effects artist and co-founder of Perception Danny Gonzalez (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Spider Man: Homecoming & Far from Home)
• Below-the-line agents Craig Mizrahi (Innovative Artists), Jasan Pagni (WME), and Louiza Vick (WPA)

Workplace rotations - To gain invaluable work experience, fellows will participate in up to four workplace rotations within the NAACP Content Team and with Oscar-winning post-production house Parallax. Each rotation will span three-to-six weeks for 20 hours per week. Rotations include:

• NAACP Special Events and Social Media Content, creating video assets from NAACP's quarterly event activations (i.e. Image Awards, National Convention, etc.)
• NAACP Video Podcasts, working in-studio helping to develop NAACP podcast content
• NAACP Virtual Production Studio, generating dynamic content for NAACP social media platforms
• Parallax, working with the award-winning post house behind Everything Everywhere All at Once and BLKNWS on in-development projects (local fellows only)

3-Year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan- Fellows will also receive a video editor's kit, including a Mac laptop, keyboard, mouse, headphones, and other tools to use during the fellowship.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Complete all scheduled days of kickoff week training with Adobe Premiere Pro
• Complete workplace rotations (20 hours per week for 13 weeks), using Adobe Creative Cloud, reporting to NAACP and partner workplace rotations on a number of projects
• Meet with assigned mentor a minimum of 8 times through the duration of the program
• Participate in Craft Conversation events during the program

Qualifications

• The NAACP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the continuing policy of the NAACP to take affirmative action to assure equal opportunity for all current and prospective employees, and applicants all qualified individuals, including but not limited to those from historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must have 1-2 years of training or experience with editing as a non-union editor or assistant editor.
• Applicants must have basic proficiency with a professional non-linear editing tool (preferably Adobe Premiere Pro, but will accept Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, and Blackmagic Resolve); expect work rotation duties to be performed exclusively with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Applicants must be available to come to Los Angeles to participate in the kickoff week, May 28-31, 2024 (plus travel time). Travel expenses will be covered for non-local participants.
• Applicants must be available to work part-time for 14 weeks as an NAACP/Adobe Fellow from May 28, 2024-August 30, 2024.

To Apply:

• Provide an accessible link to your editor’s reel. If it is password protected, please provide the password along with the link.
• Submit your resume and cover letter.
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendations by working professionals in the industry who can speak to your editing ability.
• Provide your place of residence during the dates of the fellowship.
• Agree to sign the employment release forms here upon acceptance into the Fellowship program.
• Answer the following questions (each in 250 words or less):
  • What are some of your immediate career aspirations?
  • What project of yours are you most proud of and why?
  • In your role as an editor, how does cultural inclusion and authentic representation inform your editing process?
  • What is your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud?

The application deadline is Friday, March 22, 2024. Selected participants will be awarded a stipend of $14,000 ($50/hour). The stipend will be paid on a bi-weekly basis through the NAACP payroll system and is subject to applicable state, local, and federal taxes.

About the NAACP Hollywood Bureau

The NAACP Hollywood Bureau advocates for equitable opportunity and authentic representations in the entertainment industry that reflect our diverse communities. The alliances, coalitions, and partnerships we forge are dedicated to honoring the diverse and multicultural forms of artistic expression and promoting responsible approaches towards commercial exploitation.

Nondiscrimination

It is the continuing policy of the NAACP to take affirmative action to assure equal opportunity for all current and prospective employees without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, marital status, familial status, family responsibility, pregnancy or other pregnancy-related conditions, childbirth, disability, military/veteran status, citizenship status, religion or political affiliation, past convictions or incarceration, prior psychiatric treatment, or any other status protected by federal or state law, local ordinance or Executive Orders. The NAACP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Editing Fellowship program is developed and managed by NAACP and is sponsored by Adobe Inc. The review of applications and selection of participants for the program is determined solely by NAACP. Mentors, speakers, and work rotation plans are subject to change.