Shorts Production Intern

dharmannstudios; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dhar Mann Studios is seeking a Shorts Production Intern to craft authentic short-form stories in the field across Los Angeles. You’ll be a one-person production team, handling basic camera, audio, and production tasks while connecting with people on camera.

You will interview strangers, capture genuine moments, obtain releases, and collaborate with the Shorts team to tell compassionate, real-life narratives that entertain and uplift audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in video production, journalism, documentary filmmaking, or related field preferred.
• Basic proficiency operating a camera and recording clean audio independently.
• Genuine interest in people and their stories.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence to approach strangers.
• Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to personal topics.

Responsibilities

• Work as a one-person field production team for short-form social content.
• Film in the greater Los Angeles area, with travel as needed.
• Approach and interview strangers in public locations and make them comfortable on camera.
• Produce formats inviting heartfelt messages, social experiments, or acts of kindness.
• Ask thoughtful follow-up questions to uncover deeper stories.
• Obtain participant releases and keep footage and releases organized.
• Communicate progress and needs with producers and the Shorts team.
• Represent Dhar Mann Studios professionally in the field.

Skills

Video production

Interviewing

Public outreach

Storytelling empathy

Field production

Job description

ABOUT CHANGING LIVES PRODUCTIONS:

Changing Lives Productions is the in-house video production company of Dhar Mann Studios, the #1 creator of scripted positive content online. With over 163 million followers and 45+ billion views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, our videos receive more than 1 billion views each month.

We produce several hours of original content weekly with messages of compassion, kindness, and altruism that resonate with viewers of all ages. Our stories tackle real-life challenges and deliver powerful life lessons that resonate with global audiences.

Founded by Dhar Mann, named the “Moral Philosopher of YouTube” by "The New York Times", a Time Top 100 Creator, and ranked #2 on Forbes’ 2025 Top Creators list—our founding principle is simple but ambitious: We’re not just telling stories. We’re changing lives.

BIG PICTURE:

We’re looking for a Shorts Production Intern who is comfortable picking up a camera (iPhone), heading into the field, and connecting with complete strangers.

You’ll often work as a one-person production team, filming social-first, real-life content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels. Our formats include inviting strangers to leave heartfelt messages for loved ones, social experiments, man-on-the-street interviews, acts of kindness, passing compliments, giveaways, and emotional real-life stories.

This role requires much more than knowing how to operate a camera phone. We need someone who is naturally curious about people, confident approaching strangers, and able to create an environment where someone feels comfortable opening up on camera.

Why This Role Matters:

We believe storytelling has the power to bring people closer together, build empathy, and shine a light on the experiences that unite us.

Some days you'll capture joyful, funny, or surprising interactions. Other days, you may meet someone sharing a deeply personal story about grief, illness, financial hardship, family, or another difficult chapter of their life.

The person behind the camera matters. We're looking for someone who knows how to listen without judgment, ask thoughtful questions, recognize when someone needs space, and treat every person they film with dignity and respect.

Your job isn't just to capture content. It's to find the human story inside an everyday interaction and help tell it authentically.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME:

• Traveling independently to locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area to film short-form social content
• Working as a one-person field production team, responsible for basic camera, audio, and production needs
• Approaching and interviewing strangers in public locations and making people feel comfortable on camera
• Producing formats that invite strangers to share heartfelt messages, tell personal stories, participate in social experiments, give compliments, or take part in acts of kindness and surprises
• Asking thoughtful follow-up questions that help uncover the deeper story behind someone's experience
• Working sensitively with participants discussing loss, illness, hardship, family struggles, and other deeply personal subjects
• Identifying compelling people and stories in real time and knowing when an unexpected interaction is worth exploring further
• Capturing clean, usable vertical footage and audio while simultaneously thinking about the story the footage will ultimately tell
• Obtaining appropriate participant releases and keeping footage, releases, and production materials organized
• Communicating regularly with producers and the Shorts team about progress, standout stories, production needs, and challenges from the field
• Representing Dhar Mann Studios professionally and compassionately while interacting with members of the public

WHAT YOU HAVE:

• Experience with video production, journalism, documentary filmmaking, social media content, interviewing, or a related field preferred
• Basic proficiency operating a camera and recording clean audio independently
• A genuine interest in people and their stories
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to approach and start conversations with complete strangers
• Emotional intelligence and sensitivity when working with people experiencing grief, illness, financial hardship, or other difficult circumstances
• Strong interviewing instincts and the ability to listen carefully and ask meaningful follow-up questions
• The ability to work independently, problem-solve in the field, and make good creative decisions without constant supervision
• An understanding of social media and what makes real-life short-form content engaging
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• A positive, patient, and adaptable attitude when shoots don't go according to plan
• A valid driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and ability to travel throughout the greater Los Angeles area
• A belief that storytelling can make a positive impact by helping people understand one another and recognize the experiences we share

WHO OVERSEES YOU:

The Shorts Production Intern will report directly to the Head of Shorts.

WHO YOU OVERSEE:

Currently, the Shorts Production Intern has no personnel reporting directly to them.

WHERE IT ALL GOES DOWN:

Our Shorts Production Intern will primarily work in the field throughout the greater Los Angeles area, traveling to various locations based on production needs. Some administrative work may be completed at Dhar Mann Studios in Burbank CA.

Because this position requires regular travel to filming locations, reliable personal transportation is required.

WHEN THE MAGIC HAPPENS:

The typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, with specific times varying based on production needs. Candidates should be comfortable with a flexible production schedule, as filming times and locations may change depending on the format and story.