Documentary Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Humans Understanding Machinery (HUM)

Internship | Flexible / Hybrid & Remote Opportunities

Humans Understanding Machinery (HUM) is an interdisciplinary creative studio exploring the systems shaping modern life through documentary film, storytelling, media, technology, design, and impact campaigns.

Founded by award-winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist Maximina Juson, HUM develops documentary films, educational media, digital experiences, and audience engagement initiatives that transform complex subjects into compelling human stories.

Juson's work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and recognized, presented, or supported by organizations including Columbia Journalism School, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, New York Classical Theatre, universities across the country, public media organizations, and international film festivals. Her work has reached millions of viewers through national broadcast, educational distribution, public programs, and community partnerships.

HUM is seeking curious, resourceful, and creative interns interested in gaining hands-on experience across documentary filmmaking, creative media, and impact storytelling.

Rather than assigning interns to a single narrowly defined role, HUM works with interns to identify an area of focus based on their interests, skills, academic goals, and the needs of active projects.

Interns contribute to real professional projects while learning how creative work moves from concept and research through production, post-production, distribution, and audience engagement.

Documentary Production

• Assist on documentary shoots
• Interview and story research
• Production preparation and logistics
• Equipment and production support
• Behind-the-scenes content
• Production documentation

Editing & Post-Production

• Organize footage and media
• Log interviews and create selects
• Transcript management
• Archival organization
• Editorial research
• Assist with post-production workflows

Research & Archives

• Historical and investigative research
• Fact-checking
• Interview research
• Archival research
• Rights and clearance tracking
• Source organization

Impact Producing & Audience Engagement

• Research community and educational partners
• Screening and event support
• Impact campaign development
• Educational outreach
• Audience engagement
• Partnership research and coordination

Marketing & Creative Media

• Social media content
• Website updates
• Newsletter development
• Photography and video
• Graphic design
• Presentation and pitch materials
• Audience analytics

Digital Experience & Emerging Media

• UX and web projects
• Digital storytelling
• Interactive experiences
• Accessibility
• AI-assisted research and creative workflows
• Emerging storytelling technologies

We welcome students and emerging professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including film, journalism, communications, digital media, design, marketing, UX/UI, computer science, history, political science, sociology, anthropology, English, performing arts, and related fields.

Ideal candidates are:

• Curious, creative, and eager to learn
• Reliable and organized
• Strong communicators
• Comfortable working independently
• Resourceful problem-solvers
• Able to take initiative and ask questions when needed
• Interested in documentary filmmaking, storytelling, arts, culture, technology, or social impact

Experience with filmmaking, editing, photography, design, social media, research, Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Canva, Figma, Wix, or similar tools is helpful but not required.

No prior professional experience is required.

Depending on your area of focus, you may gain experience in:

• Documentary filmmaking
• Research and story development
• Production and post-production
• Impact producing
• Audience engagement
• Digital storytelling
• Creative strategy
• Professional communication
• Project management
• Collaborative creative workflows

Interns receive regular project guidance and constructive feedback while contributing to active professional work.

Students may be eligible to receive academic credit through their college or university.

If accepted, HUM is happy to complete internship agreements, learning plans, evaluations, and other reasonable documentation required by accredited educational institutions.

Students are responsible for confirming eligibility and academic-credit requirements with their institution.

Approximately 10–20 hours per week, with flexibility around academic schedules.

Much of the work may be completed remotely. Hybrid and on-location opportunities, including documentary shoots, may be available depending on current production needs.

This is currently an unpaid internship. Academic credit may be available through the intern's college or university.

Please submit:

• Résumé
• Brief statement describing your interests and what you hope to learn
• Your preferred area(s) of focus
• Portfolio, reel, writing sample, or other work samples, if applicable

HUM values diverse perspectives and welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences.