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Film Developing Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Distant Moon Series Film Editor | Leesburg, VA Distant Moon is seeking a Series Editor to lead post ... Develop and refine repeatable workflows that efficiently transform long-form conversations into ...

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Film Developing information

See Virginia salary details

$47

$57

$65

How much do film developing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for film developing in Virginia is $57.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.85 and $60.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is film developing?

Film developing is the process of converting exposed photographic film into visible images. This involves a series of chemical baths that make the latent image on the film visible and permanent. The process can be done for both black-and-white and color film, each requiring different chemicals and steps. Once developed, the negatives can be printed onto photographic paper or scanned for digital use. Many professional labs and hobbyists perform film developing to preserve and share their analog photographs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a film developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Film Developer, you need a solid understanding of photographic chemistry, film types, and darkroom procedures, often supported by experience or coursework in photography. Familiarity with film processing equipment, enlargers, scanners, and industry-standard chemicals is crucial. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and problem-solving skills help ensure consistent, high-quality results and address any processing issues. These skills and qualities are essential for preserving image integrity, meeting client expectations, and maintaining safety in the darkroom environment.

What are some common challenges faced by film developers, and how can they be managed on the job?

Film developers often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent chemical temperatures, preventing contamination, and managing varying film types with specific processing needs. Attention to detail is crucial, as even small errors can impact image quality. To manage these challenges, film developers use precise timing, regularly calibrate equipment, and follow strict cleanliness protocols. Working collaboratively with lab technicians and photographers also helps ensure high standards and efficient workflow.

What is the difference between Film Developing vs Film Processing?

AspectFilm DevelopingFilm Processing
DefinitionThe chemical process to convert exposed film into a visible imageThe entire process of preparing, developing, fixing, and washing film
CredentialsKnowledge of chemical handling, photography skillsSimilar credentials, including chemical safety and photography understanding
Work EnvironmentDarkroom or specialized labDarkroom, lab, or processing facility
Industry UsagePart of film photography workflowEncompasses the full film development process

Film Developing specifically refers to the chemical process that reveals the image on exposed film. Film Processing includes the entire workflow, from loading film to final washing. While related, developing is a key step within processing. Both roles require chemical handling knowledge and are performed in darkroom or lab settings, making them closely connected but distinct in scope.

What are popular job titles related to Film Developing jobs in Virginia? For Film Developing jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Film Developing jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Film Developing jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Film Developing job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $119,598 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Series Film Editor

Distant Moon

Leesburg, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Distant Moon Series Film Editor | Leesburg, VA

Distant Moon is seeking a Series Editor to lead post-production for Human Flourishing, our long-form conversational series featuring conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, creatives, craftsmen, leaders, and others pursuing excellence, meaningful work, and lasting impact. Unlike our project-based Film Editors, this role owns the editorial workflow for a recurring showfrom full-length video podcast episodes to derivative content and platform-ready deliverables. We're looking for someone who enjoys building efficient, repeatable systems for producing high-quality content at scale while maintaining the storytelling standards that define Distant Moon's work.

What You'll Do
  • Own the editorial workflow for Human Flourishing from ingest through publishing.
  • Shape long-form conversations into engaging, story-driven episodes.
  • Transform a single source recording into full-length episodes, derivative content, and platform-ready deliverables.
  • Identify compelling moments and create derivative content for YouTube and other platforms.
  • Edit custom title-sequences and sizzlers" that support the show and drive engagement.
  • Develop and refine repeatable workflows that efficiently transform long-form conversations into high volumes of platform-ready content.
  • Collaborate with directors and producers to evolve the creative identity of the series.
  • Continuously improve the editorial workflow, quality, and audience engagement of a recurring series over time.
What We're Looking For
  • Approximately 35+ years of professional editing experience.
  • A portfolio demonstrating strong storytelling instincts, editorial judgment, and the ability to identify emotional hooks that keep audiences engaged.
  • Experience editing multi-camera, interview-driven, or long-form conversational content.
  • Strong working knowledge of Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Comfortable performing basic color correction, sound cleanup, music editing, and audio sweetening.
  • Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with directors and producers.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Bonus Experience
  • Familiarity with YouTube and platform-specific content packaging is a plus
  • Familiarity with AI-powered editing tools and workflows that improve editorial efficiency and content production.
  • 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.