Colorist & Finishing Editor
Listing checked October 1, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Key details
- Pay
- $70–110/hr
- Location
- Remote · United StatesUnited States
- Job type
- full-time
- Openings
- 2
- Posted
- October 22, 2026
Overview
A leading AI lab needs a finishing artist who can judge whether generated video holds up to theatrical standards. You will grade, conform and cut reference material, then use those examples to probe where generative video models break down. The work centers on color consistency, skin tones, HDR delivery and editorial rhythm across multi-shot sequences. Expect roughly 40 hours a week on weekdays, with Cincinnatus LLC as your W-2 employer and a placement inside the lab's extended workforce.
What You'll Do7
- Establish the quality bar for color consistency, skin tone reproduction, multi-shot pacing, scene transitions and HDR prep, and challenge the evaluation criteria already in place.
- Build a taxonomy of failure modes for generated footage so reviewers share one vocabulary when they flag problems.
- Curate benchmark sets by grading, editing and selecting strong examples alongside genuinely difficult grades and multi-shot cuts, then run early models against them.
- Review generated sequences and write tight, actionable notes on color shifts, contrast, banding, compression artifacts and editorial rhythm.
- Advise on how human reviewers get vetted and calibrated, and check captioning guidelines so color and editorial detail are described with precision.
- Test generative tools hands on to produce and finish visual samples that stress model capability.
- Coordinate with other post-production experts to keep judgments consistent across the reviewer pool.
Requirements8
- 7+ years of professional post-production, color grading and editorial finishing work.
- Credits on at least 2 professional films.
- Depth in one of these tracks: senior DI or finishing colorist work in DaVinci Resolve or Baselight with shot matching, HDR and Dolby Vision; finishing or online editing with conform, color pipelines and mastering deliverables; lead narrative film or television editing; or post-production supervision and color science with ACES, Rec.709, Rec.2020 and P3.
- A sharp eye for color shifts, skin tones, contrast, banding, compression and editorial pacing.
- Hands-on experience with generative tools for creating and finishing test samples.
- Written communication strong enough to turn color and editorial detail into precise caption and evaluation language.
- Availability for about 40 hours per week on weekdays.
- A color-accurate 4K/HDR display for pixel-level review (a plus, not a blocker).
Who Should Apply
Finishing colorists, online editors and narrative cutters with 7+ years in post and at least two film credits. You have run shots through Resolve or Baselight, handled HDR and Dolby Vision delivery, and can explain in plain words why a grade or a cut fails.
Salary Insight
The rate runs $70 to $110 per hour for roughly 40 hours a week, which works out to a strong full-time equivalent. The top of that band lines up with senior finishing artists who carry film credits and pipeline knowledge in ACES or Dolby Vision; the lower end fits accomplished editors moving into AI evaluation work.
Application tip
Lead with your two or more film credits and name the exact tools and formats you finished in, such as Baselight with Dolby Vision HDR or Resolve with ACES color management. Pair that with a short sample of written critique on a shot or sequence, since this role scores your ability to turn color and editorial problems into precise notes.
Pay and demand for Design & Creative roles
Market estimates from live NearSkill listings — separate from this job's published terms.
This role · as published
$70–110/hr
Taken from the listing itself.
Typical pay · estimated
$60/hour
Median of 68 similar roles that publish pay · 12 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Most Design & Creative roles pay $47–$85 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 85
- Listed in last 30 days
- 29
- Remote
- 86%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (26) · Mercor (19) · SME Careers (12)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- graphic design12%
- video editing9%
- animation8%
- screen recording8%
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