Freelance Archival Footage Clearance Producer

Understood.org is seeking an experienced Archival Footage Clearance Producer to research, negotiate, and secure legal rights for archival audio/video materials to be used in an upcoming podcast series.

This role is contract and starts immediately.Qualified candidates should send a resume and relevant credits, including a brief description of previous clearance work, to podcast@understood.org.

The ideal candidate has experience working with documentary, broadcast, or podcast productions and understands licensing, fair use considerations, copyright ownership, and clearance workflows across multiple media formats.

Responsibilities

• Identify copyright holders and rights owners for archival footage, audio, and related media
• Research chain of title and usage restrictions for archival materials
• Negotiate licensing terms, fees, and usage rights
• Secure all necessary permissions and clearance documentation
• Maintain organized clearance logs, licensing agreements, and rights databases
• Coordinate with producers, legal counsel, and editorial teams regarding usage needs
• Advise on potential fair use issues and clearance risks
• Track deadlines and ensure all materials are cleared before publication
• Source archival material when needed through libraries, studios, news organizations, and private collections

Qualifications

• Previous experience clearing archival footage and/or media rights for film, television, documentary, or podcast productions
• Strong understanding of copyright law, licensing, and fair use principles
• Experience negotiating usage agreements and licensing fees
• Familiarity with archival vendors, stock footage houses, and rights organizations
• Excellent research and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple clearances simultaneously under deadline
• Strong written communication and attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience with narrative or investigative podcasts
• Existing relationships with archival libraries and rights holders
• Familiarity with music and audio licensing
• Legal or paralegal background related to media rights

Project details

• Freelance / contract position
• Remote preferred
• Rate commensurate with experience

To Apply

Please send the following to podcast@understood.org:

• Resume and relevant credits
• Brief description of previous clearance work

Understood.org is a nonprofit dedicated to shaping the world for difference. We provide resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life. Seventy million people in the United States have learning and thinking differences, like dyslexia and ADHD. But the world isn't set up for them to thrive. We're working to change that by raising awareness and providing resources to help people with differences reach their potential. Understood.org is also the producer of several award-winning podcasts, including Climbing the Walls—a gripping limited series that explores the recent surge of ADHD diagnoses in women. The series charted at #2 in Apple Podcasts Top Series and earned a Signal Award nomination in 2025.

Understood.org is seeking an experienced Archival Footage Clearance Producer to research, negotiate, and secure legal rights for archival audio/video materials to be used in an upcoming podcast series.

This role is contract and starts immediately.Qualified candidates should send a resume and relevant credits, including a brief description of previous clearance work, to podcast@understood.org.

The ideal candidate has experience working with documentary, broadcast, or podcast productions and understands licensing, fair use considerations, copyright ownership, and clearance workflows across multiple media formats.

Responsibilities

• Identify copyright holders and rights owners for archival footage, audio, and related media
• Research chain of title and usage restrictions for archival materials
• Negotiate licensing terms, fees, and usage rights
• Secure all necessary permissions and clearance documentation
• Maintain organized clearance logs, licensing agreements, and rights databases
• Coordinate with producers, legal counsel, and editorial teams regarding usage needs
• Advise on potential fair use issues and clearance risks
• Track deadlines and ensure all materials are cleared before publication
• Source archival material when needed through libraries, studios, news organizations, and private collections

Qualifications

• Previous experience clearing archival footage and/or media rights for film, television, documentary, or podcast productions
• Strong understanding of copyright law, licensing, and fair use principles
• Experience negotiating usage agreements and licensing fees
• Familiarity with archival vendors, stock footage houses, and rights organizations
• Excellent research and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple clearances simultaneously under deadline
• Strong written communication and attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience with narrative or investigative podcasts
• Existing relationships with archival libraries and rights holders
• Familiarity with music and audio licensing
• Legal or paralegal background related to media rights

Project details

• Freelance / contract position
• Remote preferred
• Rate commensurate with experience

To Apply

Please send the following to podcast@understood.org:

• Resume and relevant credits
• Brief description of previous clearance work

Understood.org is a nonprofit dedicated to shaping the world for difference. We provide resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life. Seventy million people in the United States have learning and thinking differences, like dyslexia and ADHD. But the world isn't set up for them to thrive. We're working to change that by raising awareness and providing resources to help people with differences reach their potential. Understood.org is also the producer of several award-winning podcasts, including Climbing the Walls—a gripping limited series that explores the recent surge of ADHD diagnoses in women. The series charted at #2 in Apple Podcasts Top Series and earned a Signal Award nomination in 2025.

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