About this opportunity
Overview
A leading AI lab is building generative video models that aim to reflect true cinematic fidelity, including lens choices, sensor behavior, camera motion, motivated lighting, exposure, and color. Mercor is seeking experienced cinematographers and camera and lighting specialists to help define what strong camera and lighting work looks like and to evaluate where generated footage succeeds or fails. This is a full-time role of approximately 40 hours per week, and the position is restricted to candidates in the United States.
This is a W-2 employment opportunity with Cincinnatus LLC, which serves as the employer of record and may place the selected candidate within a leading AI lab as part of its extended workforce.
Key Responsibilities
- Define quality standards for optics, sensor behavior, camera movement, lighting motivation, and exposure.
- Help critique current evaluation approaches and build a taxonomy for common failure modes in generated footage.
- Curate benchmark examples by identifying and helping generate strong and challenging camera and lighting setups.
- Test early model capabilities against curated examples.
- Review generated footage shot by shot and provide precise, actionable notes on lensing, motion, lighting, and exposure.
- Help shape the reviewer pool, including vetting and calibration, and review captioning guidance so optical and lighting detail is described accurately.
- Work with other experts to keep evaluations consistent and reliable.
Requirements
- 7+ years of professional experience in film, television, or virtual production.
- Credits on 2+ professional films.
- Background in at least one of the following areas: 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.
- Strong eye for lens optics, sensor behavior, motivated lighting, exposure, and color spaces.
- Hands-on experience using generative image and video tools such as Runway, Midjourney, Sora, or Kling to create samples for testing and comparison.
- Ability to commit reliably for approximately 40 hours per week during weekdays.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to translate optical and lighting detail into clear language for captions and evaluation templates.
Preferred Qualifications
- Reliable access to a calibrated 4K display for pixel-level review.
Employment Details
Mercor notes that this is a full-time opportunity with compensation of $70-$110 per hour.
