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Creative Development Film Jobs in Washington, DC

Distant Moon Film Editor | Leesburg, VA Distant Moon is an award-winning production company seeking ... and creative development across all stages of filmmaking. This is an in-person role working ...

Distant Moon Series Film Editor | Leesburg, VA Distant Moon is seeking a Series Editor to lead post ... and creative development across all stages of filmmaking. This is an in-person role working ...

Distant Moon Senior Film Editor | Leesburg, VA Distant Moon is an award-winning production company ... and creative development across all stages of filmmaking. This is an in-person role working ...

Creative Director

Washington, DC ยท Remote

$170K - $200K/yr

The Creative Director guides the creative team in the conception, development, and execution of ... Demonstrates deep fluency in design trends, typography, photography, illustration, film, animation ...

The Creative Director guides the creative team in the conception, development, and execution of ... film, animation, and emerging visual languages. Tracks cultural trends, healthcare industry shifts ...

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Showing results 1-20

Creative Development Film information

See Washington, DC salary details

$45.3K

$102.2K

$156.3K

How much do creative development film jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative development film in Washington, DC is $102,246.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $147,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in creative development for film?

To thrive in Creative Development for Film, you need a strong background in storytelling, script analysis, and an understanding of film production, often supported by a degree in film, media, or a related field. Familiarity with screenwriting software (such as Final Draft), storyboarding tools, and industry-standard project management systems is common. Exceptional communication, creative vision, and collaboration skills help professionals stand out when pitching ideas and working with writers, directors, and producers. These abilities are crucial for shaping compelling stories and ensuring successful project development in a competitive industry.

What is creative development in film?

Creative development in film refers to the early stage of filmmaking where ideas are generated and shaped into a coherent story. This process includes brainstorming concepts, writing or refining scripts, and developing characters, themes, and visual styles. Creative development often involves collaboration between writers, producers, directors, and other creatives to ensure the story is compelling and feasible for production. It's a crucial phase that lays the groundwork for the entire film project.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in creative development for film, and how can they be addressed?

Creative development professionals in film often face challenges such as balancing artistic vision with commercial viability, managing feedback from multiple stakeholders, and navigating tight deadlines. Successfully addressing these issues requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. Building solid relationships with writers, directors, and producers is key, as is being open to revisions while maintaining the project's core vision. Staying organized and proactive in anticipating potential obstacles can also help ensure a smoother development process.

What is the difference between Creative Development Film vs Creative Producer?

AspectCreative Development FilmCreative Producer
Primary RoleConceptualizing and developing film ideas, scripts, and storylinesOverseeing the production process, managing budgets, and coordinating teams
Required SkillsCreative writing, storytelling, script developmentProject management, budgeting, team coordination
Work EnvironmentCreative offices, studios, script workshopsOn-set, production offices, post-production facilities
Industry UsageUsed in early-stage film development and script creationUsed throughout production to ensure project delivery

While Creative Development Film focuses on creating and refining film concepts and scripts, Creative Producers handle the overall production process, managing resources and timelines. Both roles are essential in filmmaking but differ in their core responsibilities and stages of film creation.

What are popular job titles related to Creative Development Film jobs in Washington, DC? For Creative Development Film jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Development Film jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Development Film jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Creative Development Film job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 69% In-person, 9% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,246 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

Film Editor

Distant Moon

Leesburg, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Distant Moon Film Editor | Leesburg, VA

Distant Moon is an award-winning production company seeking a Film Editor to help shape documentary, commercial, and narrative projects from assembly through final delivery.

This role is for an editor with strong storytelling instincts, solid technical ability, and a good sense of pacing, structure, and tone. We're looking for someone who can take creative direction, collaborate well with directors and post-production leadership, and consistently produce polished editorial work across a range of projects.

We care far more about the quality of an editor's work, storytelling instincts, and creative judgment than checking every box on a rsum.

What You'll Do

  • Edit projects through all stages of post-production, from assembly through final delivery
  • Collaborate closely with directors and post-production leadership to shape story, pacing, tone, and structure
  • Organize, sync, label, and manage footage and project assets
  • Build rough cuts, fine cuts, and polished client-facing edits
  • Handle basic temp sound design, music editing, and supporting audio work during editorial process
  • Source archival footage, music, and supporting media assets when needed
  • Prepare projects for color, sound, VFX, and final delivery
  • Upload and manage review versions through Frame.io
  • Maintain organized project files suitable for collaboration and archival
  • Track project tasks and time through internal workflow systems
What We're Looking For
  • Approximately 3 - 5+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, narrative, or related content environments
  • A portfolio or reel demonstrating strong storytelling instincts, pacing, structure, and creative judgment
  • Strong working knowledge of Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Ability to take feedback well, adapt quickly, and collaborate effectively within a post-production team
  • Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines
  • Self-directed with strong attention to detail and follow-through

Exceptional portfolios and demonstrated storytelling ability may be considered in place of traditional experience requirements.

Bonus Experience

  • After Effects or motion graphics experience
  • Color workflow familiarity
  • On-set production experience
  • Interest in long-form narrative filmmaking
Work Environment

Distant Moon operates from a purpose-built creative studio in Leesburg, Virginia designed specifically for filmmakers, editors, and storytellers. Our workspace was intentionally built to support collaboration, focused editorial work, production planning, and creative development across all stages of filmmaking.

This is an in-person role working alongside directors, editors, producers, and creatives in a highly collaborative studio environment. The space includes dedicated edit suites, production areas, collaborative workspaces, and creative gathering spaces designed to support both focused work and team collaboration.

While much of the role involves desk-based editorial work, team members may occasionally assist with production-related activities, equipment movement, or on-set support as needed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.