Cinematography & Lighting Expert for GenAI Video Models

Mercor; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Calibrated 4K display access

Job summary

Cincinnatus LLC is seeking a highly experienced cinematography specialist to help define evaluation standards for camera, lens, lighting and motion in generative video models. You will critique outputs, curate benchmarks, and craft precise captions and templates with senior reviewers across a leading AI lab.

The role is full-time in Los Angeles, requires about 40 hours per week, and offers the chance to shape how AI systems interpret cinematic imagery within a W-2 framework.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in film, television or virtual production.
• Credits on 2+ professional films.
• A background in at least one of: Director of Photography / Cinematographer (film, TV or commercial); Gaffer / Chief Lighting Technician; Camera Operator, 1st AC or Digital Imaging Technician (DIT); or Virtual Production / CG Lighting & Camera Layout Supervisor.
• A meticulous eye for lens optics, sensor behavior, motivated lighting, exposure and color spaces.
• Hands‑on use of generative image and video tools (e.g., Runway, Midjourney, Sora, Kling) to create your own samples for testing and comparison.
• Nice to have: reliable access to a calibrated 4K display for pixel‑level review.
• Ability to engage reliably for approximately 40 hours/week during weekdays.
• Strong written communication and the ability to turn optical and lighting detail into precise language for captions and evaluation templates.

Responsibilities

• Set the quality bar: Define clear standards for optics, sensor behavior, camera motion, lighting motivation and exposure, critique current evaluations, and help build a taxonomy of the ways generated footage fails.
• Curate benchmarks: Identify, generate and curate strong examples of excellent and genuinely hard camera and lighting setups, and test early model capabilities against them.
• Critique model outputs: Review generated footage shot by shot and write precise, actionable notes on lensing, movement, lighting and exposure.
• Shape the reviewer pool and captions: Help define how human reviewers are vetted and calibrated, and review captioning guidelines so optical and lighting detail is described accurately.
• Collaborate with other experts to keep evaluations consistent and accurate.

Skills

Film/TV/Virtual production experience

Film credits

DP/Cinematographer background

Gaffer/Chief Lighting Technician

Camera Operator/1st AC/DIT

Virtual Production / CG Lighting &

Written communication

Tools

No specific tools listed

Job description

Cincinnatus LLC is seeking a highly experienced cinematography specialist to help define evaluation standards for camera, lens, lighting and motion in generative video models. You will critique outputs, curate benchmarks, and craft precise captions and templates with senior reviewers across a leading AI lab.

The role is full-time in Los Angeles, requires about 40 hours per week, and offers the chance to shape how AI systems interpret cinematic imagery within a W-2 framework.