Audio Internship

About us:

The Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI) is dedicated to creating a movement based on rational discourse and political liberalism, both of which have come under threat from across the political spectrum. Founded by a diverse, cross-partisan group of leaders, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov; Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Bob Kerrey; and Pulitzer Prize winners Anne Applebaum and Bret Stephens, we are committed to data-driven decision-making and combatting the twin threats of far-right and far-left radicalism. Our Board and extended network give us unique credibility and a global perspective as we educate people about core liberal principles and empower them to prioritize these values in their civic behavior.

Overview

The Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI) is dedicated to creating a movement based on rational discourse and political liberalism, both of which have come under threat from across the political spectrum. Founded by a diverse, cross-partisan group of leaders, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov; Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Bob Kerrey; and Pulitzer Prize winners Anne Applebaum and Bret Stephens, we are committed to data-driven decision-making and combatting the twin threats of far-left and far-right radicalism. Our Board and extended network give us unique credibility and a global perspective as we educate people about core liberal principles and empower them to prioritize these values in their civic behavior.

We have a small, tight-knit team, so interns will have the unique opportunity to work on high-level projects and partnerships and make a personal impact on American democracy. As a start-up organization, we have an “all hands on deck” approach, and interns should expect to play multiple roles, handling a mix of substantive and administrative responsibilities.

About the role

This role will involve working on some combination of the below. Please review our existing videos and website to get a sense of what RDI videos and sound design are like.

• Driving video narratives with audio productions including music, sound design, and voiceover that fulfills RDI vision and overall aesthetic

• Mixing and mastering content that is structured with dialogue, music, and sound effects

• Organizing media remotely and structuring audio files coherently between video production teams

• Researching topics in relation to video productions in order to provide audio that is culturally relevant

• Compositing music for social media content which includes utilizing instrumentation across several musical genres

• Editing dialogue by removing noise, de-essing, de-plosive, and compressing all within the recommended LUFS for social media and following guidelines by Broadcast Level Standards and FCC Loudness regulations

• Offer insight on sonic branding that aligns with our mission and values

• Creatively strategizing ways to generate positive publicity for RDI content

• Assisting with the promotion of RDI video content

• Communicating effectively and with integrity with a remote team across multiple time zones

Qualifications of an ideal candidate

• Exceptional undergraduates, graduate students, recent grads, or those with relevant work experience are encouraged to apply

• Knowledge of sound designing, mixing, and mastering is a must

• Knowledge of music composition, music theory, and orchestration is highly recommended; or, alternatively, knowledge of how to leverage audio libraries, samples, and stock music

• Experience editing with Adobe Audition/Premiere Pro is recommended

• Knowledge of audio encoding and optimization for multiple platform releases

• Flexibility in interpreting and implementing sound design and sound effects for videos

• Detail-oriented to a fault

• Strong belief in RDI’s mission and values 

• Experience thinking through effective distribution of video content is a plus

• Knowledge of graphic design is a plus

• Open-minded and willing to interact with those whom they may disagree with

• Social, articulate, and a self-starter unafraid to take initiative with minimal oversight

• Excellent communication skills

Logistics & Benefits

• This is an unpaid, volunteer internship

• Academic Credit is offered upon school or departmental approval

• This internship lasts 4 months, concurrent with the Spring academic semester, and interns can choose to work either full time (40 hours/week) or part time (25+ hours/week)

• Hours are flexible and we are willing to work around your academic schedule

• An opportunity to work closely with senior organizational leadership, including the Executive Director, as well as access to members of the Board of Directors, and other individuals from RDI’s extended network

• A typical day could include spending a few hours working with the video team; sourcing audio clips, sound effects, and music; and collaborating with other audio interns

We are recruiting on a rolling basis. Please send a resume, brief cover letter (optional), and examples of your audio/creative work. Only complete applications will be reviewed. 

The Renew Democracy Initiative is an equal-opportunity employer.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.