🎬 CALL FOR: DIRECTOR, PROPAGATING PLAY™

🌿 ABOUT HORTIKI STUDIOS & THE SHOW

Hortiki Studios is a new media division of Hortiki Plants, a 9-year-old garden and science education company based in Washington, DC. Our first production, Propagating Play™, is a transmedia science communication show translating cutting-edge neuroscience research about the benefits of adult play into accessible, actionable wellness tools for adults experiencing burnout.

The show includes: bi-weekly video and audio episodes with expert guest interviews, animated science explainers, field segments, downloadable curriculum, and a serialized webtoon. Visually, the show will have a warm, magazine-style video podcast aesthetic, utilizing lush, residential, and lifestyle-forward set designs rather than a sterile news desk.

🌟 Our Guest Roster & Promotion: Our prospective guest list includes a dynamic mix of neuroscientists, thought leaders, and even a few celebrities! We have a robust promotion plan designed to help us launch with momentum.

Learn more: propagatingplay.com.

🎥 THE DIRECTOR POSITION

We are looking for a Director who gets excited about the intersection of science, storytelling, and human connection. You will work directly with the Creator/Executive Producer (Hortiki Studios Founder, Dr. Victoria LeBeaux) to shape how the show looks, feels, and moves from the set design and shot list through the final approved cut of each episode.

⭐ THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT FOR YOU IF…

• 🎨 You want to focus purely on being creative. You do not have to worry about fundraising or securing the budget for this project. The Executive Producer is handling all of that so you can focus entirely on executing a brilliant creative vision.
• 🤝 You thrive in a collaborative, well-supported environment. While this is a lean first production for the studio, we are budgeting for a professional production. You will be supported by a dedicated multi-cam videographer, an audio lead with their own gear, a video editor, an audio producer, and a Project Manager who handles logistics. You will not be expected to provide production equipment or operate the cameras.
• ⚡ You are energized by a shared, time-sensitive goal. The timing is tight, but we are hoping for an energetic team, excited to make a splash on June 11th for the International Day of Play. If you thrive in an agile, fast-paced indie environment and love rallying together to hit a meaningful milestone, you will fit right in.
• 🌍 You are highly intentional about equity and representation. We want a director who is thoughtful about visual framing and avoiding harmful tropes on camera.
• 💛 You are an encouraging and kind director. Our on-air presenters are not actors! They are scientists, educators, writers, and everyday people. A great fit for this role is someone who can provide talent feedback that is direct, warm, and helpful, keeping everyone comfortable on set.
• 📣 You want to be a genuine ambassador for the show's mission. We want to build a team that is truly excited by this work. While we will never mandate unpaid promotional tasks, the ideal director is someone who is so proud of what we are building that they naturally want to talk about it. If you want to share your creative work on social media, tell your friends and family, and maybe even join the conversation and explore how adult play impacts your own life, you are going to love it here. This is a great fit for a creative partner invested in the show's long-term success.

📋 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Pre-Production: Collaborate with the Creator/Executive Producer to develop the visual identity of the show. You will also be responsible for creatively and naturally integrating sponsor products into the set design. Develop a shot list and episode-by-episode production approach. Liaise with the Webtoon team (once activated by funding goals) on visual style so illustrated content connects organically with the filmed show's aesthetic. Additionally, you will participate in final, in-person "chemistry reads" (screen tests) to help select the show's MC/Co-Host.
• Shoot Days: Lead all creative decisions on set on shoot days. Manage the crew and keep production on schedule across a high-volume batch shoot. You will efficiently capture three to four episodes per day by grouping setups (e.g., shooting all table segments first, then all kitchen setups). Estimated final episode run time: 30-45 mins.
• Post-Production Oversight: Conduct a detailed footage handoff to the editor with organized notes on best takes, intended structure, and creative direction per episode. Review edited cuts and provide clear, consolidated notes to the editor. You will collaborate with the Executive Producer for joint final cut approval.

💼 POSITION DETAILS & ONBOARDING

• 📍 Location & Work Authorization: Washington, DC area for key pre-production and shoot days. You must be local to the DC area (or willing to work as a local, as travel/lodging are not provided) and authorized to work in the US. Remote for general prep and post-production.
• 💻 Tools & Software: We provide licenses for our core workflow tools (Descript, cloud storage, etc). If you have other preferred tools, we'd love to learn about your workflow, though we cannot guarantee the purchase of new or custom software.
• 🎒 Onboarding: This is a sprint, but we will do our best to equip you with all you need to hit the ground running from day one. Your onboarding packet will include a content guide for each episode, information on any secured sponsors so you know what products need to be planned for on set, and our comprehensive Show Design & Production Standards and Show Format & Identity Reference documents—plus anything else we create between now and then!
• 📈 Funding Contingency & Phasing: Please note that as an independent production, this project and role are strictly pending final funding. Depending on the fundraising timeline, the production and contract may be executed in phases (e.g., Phase 1 covering a smaller initial batch of episodes).
• 🗓️ Scope & Timeline: The full season is 14 episodes, airing bi-weekly. While production is pending funding, please apply if interested! We will provide updates here on the timeline and try to accommodate production scheduling for top candidates.
• 🎬 Schedule: There are 4 planned shoot days (subject to change) starting with a 1-day 'Pilot Batch' shoot (4 episodes, ~30-45 mins final run-time) to establish the show’s rhythm before moving into subsequent phases. Additionally, the show may include field segments. These may be captured by the hosts via smartphone or, if budget allows, may involve more formal creative direction or on-site support from the Director. The director should be prepared to deliver initial notes for Episode 1 to the editing team no more than one week after the shoot.
• ⏱️ Hours: Approximately 128 hours total across pre-production, shoot days, and post-production oversight. Additional hours may be contracted as warranted. Project hours and contracts may be split into separate phases. Example: Phase 1 (Pre-production, 1st shoot day + post-production episodes 1-4). Phases 2-3 (Remaining shoot days + post-production for remaining episodes and any special activities, like sponsored field segments or promotion events).
• 💵 Compensation: Competitive project-based fee (contracted in phases). Estimated range $50-$110/hr, commensurate with experience. Please include your standard rate or project fee requirements in your application; we are committed to fair, professional compensation aligned with experience.
• 🌱 Note: Our intention is to produce future seasons. For the right fit, this is not just a one-off project, but a relationship that has high potential for additional contracts and sustainable revenue.

🏆 REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience directing interview-format, documentary-style, or talk show content—a reel that shows you can make real people and real conversations compelling on screen.
• Experience managing batch shoot days and keeping multi-episode production on schedule.
• Familiarity with hybrid studio setups, specifically lighting and framing in-person hosts interacting with remote guests displayed on on-set monitors without causing glare.
• Excellent communication with a post-production team—your handoff notes should make an editor's job easy.

🤝 THE FOUNDER’S COMMITMENT TO YOU

Hortiki has always been a social impact company, and that same ethos will guide Hortiki Studios as it's developed. We know the media industry can be tough, which is why we strictly adhere to our Ethical Production Manifesto:

• A Humane & Respectful Environment: We promise a safe, fun workspace with zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or bullying. All voices are valued regardless of seniority or background. We believe in reasonable hours, sufficient breaks, and a healthy work-life balance. We will support you in making time for your health and self-care, your loved ones, your pets, and (of course) your plants.
• Fairness & Transparency: We provide competitive wages and maintain open communication regarding budgets, decision-making, and project progress with all key stakeholders.
• Professional Growth & Recognition: We intend to submit this show for relevant awards. We will fully support your application and happily allow the use of show materials (appropriately copyrighted) for your reel and award submissions.
• Kindness: We will be kind and always treat you with respect. We communicate with respect, we credit our team, and we build things we are proud of. If that is how you work, you will fit right in!
• Equal Opportunity: Hortiki Plants is proud to be an equal opportunity organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members and contractors as we build Hortiki Studios. We strongly encourage applications from folks of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

📝 HOW TO APPLY

Excited to apply? Please submit your information by clicking the button below.

Applications will remain open on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For updates, visit propagatingplay.com and scroll to the newsfeed at the bottom. You can also keep up with the latest announcements via LinkedIn @hortikiplants.

To prepare, the application form will ask for:

1. Basic Information: Your name, email, and phone number. A link to your website and/or professional social footprint.
2. Portfolio & Work Samples: A link to your directing reel. One or two links to specific projects you have directed that best demonstrate your ability to handle multi-cam setups, lifestyle content, or interview-driven formats.
3. Tools: What tools do you have experience with for efficient post-production and project management, and how have you used these tools?
4. Mission Alignment (Short Answer): In a few sentences, tell us why this project appeals to you as a creative.
5. Tonal Reference (Short Answer): Based on what we’ve shared here and on the Propagating Play™ website, what show do you think best captures the vibe we are going for?
6. Project Fit (Short Answer): What makes you the absolute best candidate for this project? Read that again. Not what makes you a great director, a fun team member, or a great pick for our dragon boat racing team (although we are kinda curious). What makes you the best fit for this project—to be the world builder of Propagating Play™?
7. Compensation & Bid (Short Answer): Your standard hourly rate or proposed flat project fee. Feel free to include a link to your standard rate sheet if you have one.
8. References: Contact information for two professional references (preferably a producer or showrunner you have worked with recently) will be requested from final candidates progressing to the interview stage.