I used to work in publicity, and it was on my last job that I started working as a producer. I got interested in telling stories versus having to pitch stories to media, because it’s much more interesting to make an inspiring video than it is to sell it to someone.
Because I’d been producing videos and making music – I’m also a musician – I thought, “How about film and sound editing?” A film and sound editing course at Ryerson University’s Chang School taught me about storytelling and got me interested in film. Editing is very much like music – it’s all about timing. The more I learned about editing, the more I learned about music, and vice versa.
I graduated high school early because I fast-tracked. Though I got into several universities, I couldn’t afford anything at the time, so at 18 I just started working and built up a lot of work experience. But I didn’t have any formal training and didn’t feel like I had a skill set. Somehow I talked my way into publicity, but I wanted to develop skills that would allow me to be creative. Editing is helping me uncover that creativity again after many years.
The Ryerson program was eye-opening because I learned a lot about storytelling. After that, I did an intensive six-week program at the Manhattan Edit Workshop, where I mastered four editing software programs. I was cutting footage from network TV shows as well as learning about storytelling and effects. Ryerson gave me the introduction, and from there I investigated more.
When I’m cutting a scene with two actors, I’m telling a story and get to see how the audience reacts, which has rekindled my interest in performing. I love the idea of being behind the camera, but I’m also interested in getting back onstage. I took improv classes over the winter.
I’ve also been taking other online courses and tutorials. I’ve been networking and meeting editors and actors and picking their brains. As continuing ed taught me, you really have to hustle. The course can introduce you to the material, but it’s up to you to delve deeper.
My favourite experience editing is creating a story and seeing how an audience reacts to my work – if they laugh or are stunned. That’s the best part. Everything else beforehand is very independent, which I like. I don’t have a boss except the director, and I don’t have a corporate office. Telling stories is a pretty cool job.
