Spooked Freelance Story Scout

Posted 72 weeks ago

A project or contract position
Fully remote: working with a USA-based team at Snap Studios.

Salary: $1,500 (monthly rate) plus $300 per greenlit pitch

SNAP STUDIOS SPOOKED: FREELANCE STORY SCOUT Snap Judgment, an award-winning radio show and podcast (heard on over 500 public radio stations across the US and downloaded over two million times every month) is looking for Story Scouts for its spin-off podcast, Spooked. Spooked is a production of Snap Studios and KQED.

Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Be afraid! Spooked episodes garner over two million monthly podcast downloads and are broadcast on Snap Judgment during the Fall, as stations host Spooked Marathons across the nation. Spooked drops Apple Podcasts chart-topping releases that dominate the Arts category all of Fall, but fans listen all year long. The show has been featured in Rolling Stone, Vulture, The Atlantic, and was recognized as one Spotify’s “Best Episodes of 2022.”

We seek compelling stories from all corners of the globe! Additionally, since we want to diversify our existing pool of Spooked stories, we’d especially like to hear from candidates in:

• Africa
• Middle East
• Australia and Oceania
• Europe
• Canada
• Indigenous Communities
• Asia (East Asia and South Asia)
• Mexico and/or other Spanish-speaking countries

The Story Scout is in charge of finding and pitching original stories for the show in the realm of paranormal and supernatural activity. Candidates must have lived in, have extensive contacts in, and/or have a deep cultural knowledge of the region. The Story Scout reports to the Spooked Managing Editor. This is a remote, contract position. The Story Scout can be located anywhere in the world. There are no minimum hours set for this position, though Story Scouts will pitch stories twice a month. Story scouts will receive a monthly retainer ($1500) as well as bonuses for successful pitches ($300 per story) which make it into an episode. In addition, depending on experience, interest, and availability, story scouts may also have the chance to produce individual Spooked stories, for which they will be paid separately ($140/minute). The contract is six months and is expected to start in late February.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Finding three to four pitches a month for Spooked that are viable and match the voice, personality, and content parameters of the show.

• Initial research and due diligence on story viability. Synthesis of the pitch in a way that identifies stakes, characters, and arc. The candidate should be a compelling writer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with pitching narrative stories; ability to identify character with agency and stakes, as well as story arcs and scenes.
• Strong writing and research skills. Ability to track down unique first-person stories, from Reddit to self-published memoirs, to the far reaches of YouTube and elsewhere. Ability to grow a pitch from a kernel of an idea and draft a compelling story.
• Use personal and professional networks to find word-of-mouth Spooked stories.
• Commitment to fair and respectful storytelling.
• Ability to act as a professional agent of the company, in approaching people for story details and developing their comfort with the idea of being show subjects.
• A good attitude and a willingness to work closely with teammates

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• One or more years of related work experience

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Understanding of the Spooked voice and strong familiarity with the Spooked catalog.

• Ability to work well under pressure, within the framework of tight deadlines.

• Clear communication skills with the ability to be effective across the diverse team.

• We will happily consider applicants from outside of audio with strong narrative storytelling backgrounds. Filmmakers, writers, poets, storytellers, journalists, historians, and anyone with a highly tuned sense of story is strongly urged to apply!

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