Storyline Writer wanted (true crime) | $150 to $500 per project

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: CATCHING KILLERS

We run fast-growing YouTube channels in the true crime space. Our videos are built using real police footage—911 calls, bodycams, interrogations, and more.

Each video goes through four stages:

1. Storyline Research ← (This Role)

2. Scriptwriting

3. Narration

4. Video Editing

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We’re hiring a Storyline Researcher to be the first person in our production process. You’ll receive raw police case files via Google Drive. These can include between 30 minutes to 15+ hours of footage (body cams, 911 calls, interrogations, etc.). Some of this footage is irrelevant (e.g. traffic cams, duplicated clips), and your job is to sift through the noise and build a clear outline of the case.

You will not be writing the script. Your job is to organize the story so the writer doesn't have to dig through all the footage themselves.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

You’ll receive a Google Drive folder with all the raw police footage for a case. Then, using our Storyline Template (a Google Spreadsheet), you’ll do the following:

• Summarize each relevant clip in the “Brief Description of Footage” column

• Label the type of footage (e.g. Bodycam, 911 Call, Interrogation, Surveillance)

• Add direct hyperlinks to each video file

• Include timestamps to highlight exactly where key events happen

• Leave clear notes to help the writer understand what’s important (e.g. “Suspect first mentions motive here” or “Victim appears unconscious at 01:15”)

• Ignore irrelevant footage—no need to fill in entries for parts of the case that don’t serve the story

• At the top of the template, include:

• Suspect name(s)

• Mugshot links (if available)

• Articles summarizing the case

• Type of charges (e.g. homicide, kidnapping, etc.)

You’re not scripting or writing final narration—you’re just making the case as easy to follow as possible for our writer, using structure, notes, and timestamps.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT FIT:

• Detail-oriented and organized

• Able to follow and structure complex stories

• Interested in true crime or criminal psychology

• Comfortable with graphic or sensitive footage

• Familiar with Google Drive, Docs, and Spreadsheets

• Self-motivated and thorough

WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT:

• You don’t write scripts

• You don’t edit video or cut footage

• You don’t need polished writing—just clear, useful notes

TIME COMMITMENT:

• Simple cases: ~2 hours

• Complex cases: 8–10+ hours

• We’ll assign cases based on your availability and bandwidth.

WORKFLOW PROCESS:

• We send you a Google Drive folder with all footage

• You watch the footage and fill out the Storyline Template

• You submit your completed template for review

• If it’s a great fit, we’ll continue assigning you new cases regularly

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Please only apply if this role makes sense to you and you genuinely believe you’d be a great fit. We don’t want to waste your time—or ours.

As part of the hiring process, we’ll send you a brief sample assignment. This will include:

• A small evidence file (e.g. bodycam or 911 call)

• A copy of our Storyline Template (Google Spreadsheet)

We’ll ask you to fill in the first 5–10 minutes of footage using the template. This helps us assess your attention to detail, understanding of the footage, and ability to organize complex events clearly.

Only apply if you’re comfortable completing this trial task.

We look forward to hearing from people who are genuinely excited about this kind of work.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Original job posting: Click here

Website: https://www.youtube.com/@catchingkillers

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