Hollywood Editing Mentor

Joaquin Elizondo, ACE

Step into personal conversations with post-production professionals and other award-winning filmmakers, where you'll find inspiring stories and expert guidance to fuel your journey towards career success.
Explore the inner workings of celebrated projects, gaining exclusive insights into these productions. Join us for actionable insights and strategies generously shared by these accomplished creatives and filmmakers, empowering your career advancement and setting you on the path to success.
Hosted by Joaquin Elizondo, ACE (GRISELDA, DARK WINDS, NARCOS: MEXICO).

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Top 10 Hollywood Editing Mentor Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hollywood Editing Mentor episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hollywood Editing Mentor for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hollywood Editing Mentor episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Ep. 21 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone and Being Prepared for Big Opportunities with editor/assistant editor Chris Cavanagh

Hollywood Editing Mentor

08/10/21 • 65 min

One of the things about working in the post production industry is that a huge opportunity can suddenly come knocking without any notice. It certainly has happened to me.

On episode 21 of the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast, editor/assistant editor Chris Cavanagh joins me to talk about the importance of putting in the work to prepare ourselves for big opportunities, which he recently got when he was asked if he was ready to co-edit an episode of the hit Netflix show, Narcos: Mexico. We’ll hear all about his experience and some cool stories from the past 5 years because that’s how long I’ve known Chris.

It was five years ago that Chris and I landed in Los Angeles and started our journey to transition from unscripted to scripted television. We met at a networking event not long after we both arrived in LA from New York City and instantly connected and became friends. We supported each other during this transitional period, eventually broke into scripted television editorial in Hollywood, and now we actually got a chance to work together on Narcos: Mexico. Chris was my assistant editor on season 3 and we ended up co-editing an episode. So now that he's getting his first scripted co-editing credit, Chris is also going to share his strategy for making his way to the editing chair full time.

Chris and I will also be discussing ideas that can help you get out of your comfort zone in order to achieve your goals, how you can take ownership of your career and develop a vision for your future, ways to build trust with colleagues, the importance of putting yourself out there and communicating your interests, how we can find emotional support by being part of a community, why it’s important to give a job 100% effort even if you know it’s not suited for you, saying ‘no’ to work that is not going to lead us down the right career path, and much more practical advice and stories from two people that made a career change to pursue their dreams.

Other topics discussed in this episode include:

How Chris learned Spanish to prepare for working on season 3 of Narcos: Mexico
Creating a financial plan to make a career change when you have a family and move to a new city
How Chris got his first big break in scripted television as an assistant editor on the hit Netflix series, Cobra Kai
Character-building moments at a Spartan Race
Getting hired on a scripted television series even though you don’t have the right experience
Not being an expert at a job, but being able to find solutions to problems
Making mistakes at work doesn’t define who you are
Doing everything possible to not make the same mistake twice
Learning new skills by simply talking to people and asking questions
How episode 2 with Auggie Rexach influenced Chris
Finding support through mentorship
Chris’ experience working on season 3 of Narcos: Mexico
Incorporating yourself into a new post production team
Negotiating a co-editing credit as an assistant editor

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Original Music: "Apollo's Haze" and "Do You Want" by Jesusdapnk
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Ep. 16 - The Strength of Humility, Embracing Mistakes, Communicating Effectively, and Scoring "The Queen's Gambit" with composer Carlos Rafael Rivera

Hollywood Editing Mentor

02/23/21 • 62 min

We're still talking about Netflix's The Queen's Gambit on the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast. Emmy-winning composer Carlos Rafael Rivera is my guest on episode 16 and he's here to talk about his experience scoring The Queen's Gambit and how he collaborated with Michelle Tesoro, ACE, who was on the previous episode of the podcast, and how Carlos met writer/director Scott Frank, it's a really cool story of how they paired up.
We're also gonna get into the psychological concepts and principles that deal with career advancement, such as being humble and knowing your place in the work environment, as well as embracing mistakes and failures, and using these experiences to learn and overcome our fears. It's these principles that he learned from his upbringing that he has applied to his life and career and therefore has allowed him to find great success in Hollywood.
Carlos and I talk all things The Queen's Gambit and music, but we also discuss the importance of effective communication and learning the language of film, dealing with imposter syndrome and taming the fears that can come with working in film and scripted TV, the biggest lesson he learned from being replaced on a project, and the idea that what we are shouldn't define what we make.
A protegé of Randy Newman, Emmy-winning composer Carlos Rafel Rivera's work for film and television includes scoring one of Netflix's most viewed and acclaimed shows in history, The Queen's Gambit. Additionally, he has scored Netflix's Godless, directed by Scott Frank and produced by Steven Soderbergh, starring Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery, as well as Universal Pictures' A Walk Among the Tombstones, starring Liam Neeson.
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Ep. 03 - The Importance of Shifting Our Mindset and Keeping Our Ego In Check with editor/assistant editor Agustin "Auggie" Rexach

Hollywood Editing Mentor

08/17/20 • 47 min

In this episode I talk with with editor/assistant editor Agustin "Auggie" Rexach about the importance of keeping our ego in check and shifting our mindset as we are looking for new job opportunities or in our current post production career. By understanding that as editors and assistants we are servicing someone else's vision or helping to deliver a product, we will more likely be presented with opportunities to advance in our careers. Agustin also shares how he was able to transition to a career in Hollywood scripted TV after having worked as an editor in commercials and music videos for 17 years.
Agustin most recently co-edited an episode of THE GOOD LORD BIRD (Showtime) and THE PURGE (USA). He was also an assistant editor on GENIUS (NatGeo), the remake of ROOTS, HAWAII 5-0, and FROM DUSK TILL DAWN. Prior to working in Hollywood, Agustin worked at top post production houses in his home country of Puerto Rico, as well as Miami and San Antonio.
As someone who is also devoted to mentoring and helping people, Agustin also contributes advice articles and software tutorials to the Hollywood Editing Mentor program.
Read Agustin's article: "The Service-Centric Mindset"
Subscribe to the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast and newsletter to stay up to date with all future episodes, informative content, and exclusive offers!
Original Music: "Apollo's Haze" by Jesusdapnk
Facebook: www.fb.com/jesusdapnk
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/jesusdapnk
Instagram: @jesusdapnk

Ep. 39 - Exploring Factors That Influence Career Decisions with Yvette Amirian, ACE

Hollywood Editing Mentor

03/29/23 • 43 min

I’m talking to Yvette Amirian, ACE on episode 39 and Yvette has built a successful editing career by transitioning seamlessly between scripted and documentary content for the better part of two decades. We get to hear about her experience cutting her most recent project The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, a new scripted feature directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Robert Machoian.

We also discuss the topic of career decisions and how to pick a career path that is right for you because deciding what type of content to work on can be a daunting task, with many factors influencing our choices. From personal interests, to societal expectations, economic factors, parenting...there is a lot to consider when trying to navigate an editing career.
Whether you are a recent graduate just starting out on your career journey, or an experienced post production professional looking to make a change, this episode will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your career path.
Some key takeaways from episode 39 include:

How to avoid being pigeonholed early on in your editing career
What it takes to be a good documentary editor
Developing a financial plan to help you make strategic career decisions when you’re starting out as an editor
How networking helped Yvette make the shift from documentary to feature film editing
The importance of advocating for yourself
Learning to say 'no' to things that will deviate you from your goals
How to balance an editing career and parenting
Why you should expand your network and work with different creative teams
How Yvette’s doc experience helped her edit The Integrity of Joseph Chambers
How to communicate ideas and opposing views with directors
The importance of not being afraid to make a career transition

Get on the waitlist for the Break Into Scripted online course - the ultimate playbook to start a career in film & scripted television!

Ep. 12 - Finding Your True Passion and The Value of Creativity with house music producer & DJ Jesusdapnk

Hollywood Editing Mentor

12/08/20 • 50 min

House music producer & DJ, Jesusdapnk, is responsible for providing the original song for the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast, 'Apollo's Haze.' In episode 12, he shares how he began his career in house music and his process behind creating his tracks. We also talk about the importance of loving what we do as creatives, why it's good to encounter challenges, not being afraid to commit mistakes, and being open to criticism.
Jesusdapnk (whose real name is Jesus Diaz) has made a name for himself in his hometown of San Diego and beyond, having started producing since 2006 and DJing since 2008. His productions have been featured at the top of the charts. Reviving a rare fusion vintage techno/house sound globally, his work has a sound consisting of groovy baselines, analog synths/drums and funky vocals. He has shared the stage with many artists and has played at multiple venues, from nightclubs to festivals and raves. He currently has multiple releases signed onto various labels. Jesusdapnk has also created his Deep House record label Good Luck Penny, established in 2018.
Here are some of the things Jesusdapnk and I discuss in episode 12 of the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast:

Jesus’ early musical influences while growing up in Tijuana, Mexico
Learning to play the drums at age 8
Starting out making music on his mom’s computer at age 15
Committing the time to get better at making music and evolving his sound
Getting record deals as a teenager and making contacts with other house music DJs and producers around the world
Creating music as a form of therapy
Advances in technology has made it easier and faster to create music
How Jesus got interested in house music
Growing up along the San Diego/Tijuana border and being exposed to house music in the region
Going to Tijuana to play live shows as a teenager
Getting live gigs in San Diego
Insight into Jesus’ process of creating music and how he finds inspiration
Improvising music based on emotion
Jesus’ goal with his music has evolved over time
Expecting too much can lead to disappointment
Letting things happen organically
Jesus’ drive is his love of music
The beauty of doing what you love
Jesus’ experimentation with film scoring and being inspired by video games
The importance of challenging yourself creatively
Finding other opportunities to utilize your creative skillset
Incorporating some form of creativity into our lives for better mental health
Artistry in mainstream and social media
Ways the public can promote artists that are not being noticed or recognized
Technology helps and ruins art
Not stressing too much about the things we can’t control
The state of house music and where the industry is heading
Reconnecting with other creative endeavors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Jesus’ recommendation to anyone wanting to create music

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Original Music: "Apollo's Haze" by Jesusdapnk
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Ep. 08 - Improving Our Health and Fitness to Achieve Success with fitness trainer Yuichi Ohi

Hollywood Editing Mentor

10/13/20 • 44 min

Fitness trainer and co-owner of LAKO Boxing Gym, Yuichi Ohi, has been training in the greater Los Angeles area since 2000. He has an extensive background and training in boxing, jui jitsu, grappling, and judo. He is renowned for his work with all fitness levels of clientele and his approach in training is an organic and holistic style. Yuichi’s motto is..."What matters most is that my clients are happy and healthy."

Yuichi and I talk about the importance of developing healthy habits and improving our fitness, and how this is connected with achieving success in our lives. Not only did I lose almost 20lbs, improve my marathon time by over 30 minutes, and change my body composition with his training, I also developed the energy, creativity, and discipline that helped me get a big promotion at work.

Yuichi has provided a special bonus for the listeners of this podcast. Head over to hollywoodeditingmentor.com/workouts and sign up to receive four videos featuring fitness routines designed by Yuichi.

Follow Yuichi: @ohi.fitness

In episode 8 of the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast, Yuichi and I discuss the following topics:

Yuichi’s view on fitness and why he thinks it’s important
Investing in your health for longevity
The process to improve our health and fitness can take time
Building muscle at a young age is important for human development
Strength training plays a big role in keeping your body stable and burning more calories
How Yuichi changed my eating habits
Losing weight is 80% nutrition, 20% fitness
Yuichi’s thoughts about personal trainers giving you nutritional advice
Other factors that might prevent us from losing weight: stress, depression, addiction issues
The obesity problem in our society
Measuring our body fat vs weight
Growing up in Sao Miguel island in the Azores
What Yuichi learned from his father, a six degree black belt in judo, about health and fitness
Connecting health and fitness with success in our lives
Avoiding burnout by eating better and working out
How to develop healthier eating habits
Why diets don’t work
How stress, bad nutrition, and sitting down all day is killing us
Food is an important factor of cardiovascular health
The negative effects of excessive sodium consumption
Yuichi’s advice on how we can get started with a fitness routine
The value of hiring a personal trainer
What to look for when choosing a personal trainer
Investing in your health for the future
Research shows that people who are healthy and in-shape make more money
How working with Yuichi helped me get promoted to full-time editor
Looking within ourselves to find motivation to achieve our goals
Yuichi’s recommendation to transform our mindset and start being active
Starting with small goals to achieve bigger ones
Tips for editors to stay active and improve their health
The importance of stretching, releasing tension, and improving mobility

Would totally appreciate it if you lef

Ep. 04 - Practical Networking Advice and Resume Writing Tips with editor Mark Dashnaw

Hollywood Editing Mentor

08/17/20 • 47 min

Mark Dashnaw earned his B.A. in Film & Theatre Arts from Cornell University where he studied acting, writing and directing for both the screen and the stage. In his time there, he realized that filmmaking was his true passion. Editing, in particular, with its creative and technical challenges was the area that inspired him the most. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles and got his M.F.A. in Film Editing from The American Film Institute.

Since then, Mark has edited on both comedic and dramatic projects including feature films, scripted and reality television series and documentaries. He is an Emmy®-nominated editor (Hot in Cleveland) and a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Mark is also a member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild and serves on their LGBTQ+ Diversity Steering Committee. In addition, Mark is also an award-winning filmmaker (Myopia) who writes, produces and directs his own projects under Mad Dash Productions.
Subscribe to the Hollywood Editing Mentor podcast and newsletter to stay up to date with all future episodes, informative content, and exclusive offers!
Original Music: "Apollo's Haze" by Jesusdapnk
Facebook: www.fb.com/jesusdapnk
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/jesusdapnk
Instagram: @jesusdapnk

Ep. 48 - Post-Production Creative Leaders Panel Discussion

Hollywood Editing Mentor

08/21/23 • 54 min

Join me for an illuminating episode featuring a panel of post-production experts. In this discussion, explore the art of balancing technical precision and creative flair across various projects.

Meet the Panelists:

Eric Marks: Supervising Sound Editor at Transported Audio
John Rafanelli: Editor, Survival of the Thickest
Alex Ivany: Editor, Ifine: Beauty
Fady Jeanbart: Editor, Til Death Do Us Part
Kara Talve and Anže Rozman: Emmy-Nominated Composing Duo, Prehistoric Planet

Highlights from the discussion:

• Uncover the unique roles of the panelists and their knack for striking the perfect balance between technical finesse and artistic ingenuity.

• Dive into the world of sound design and learn techniques that elevate on-screen visuals through immersive audio elements.

• Gain insights into effective time management strategies for handling multiple projects simultaneously.

• Discover the secrets behind crafting a compelling narrative, whether in comedic or emotional contexts.
• Explore the delicate art of maintaining authenticity while weaving a captivating narrative.

• The philosophy for editing intense moments and how to build tension and impact.

• The creative process in immersing viewers in unique worlds through musical compositions

• Advice for anyone looking to start a career in post-production.
Thank you to Impact24 PR for putting this panel together!
🎬 Interested in working in film & scripted television? Check out my Break Into Scripted course: https://hollywoodeditingmentor.com/breakintoscripted

Ep. 00 - Welcome to the Hollywood Editing Mentor Podcast

Hollywood Editing Mentor

07/31/20 • 3 min

Hello, I’m glad you are here. My name is Joaquin Elizondo and I edit films and scripted TV shows in Hollywood. I want to tell you a quick story about how I got the idea to create this mentorship program and podcast.

It took me almost 15 years to get to Hollywood. Not because I walked and swam here from the other side of the world, but because I followed a certain career path for that period of time before achieving my dream of editing films and scripted TV shows. From an early age I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker, but I never knew how to do it or if it was even possible. Watching the end credits of movies I would ask myself ‘How did those people get there?’ It might have taken me a long time, but I figured it out.

As I took editing jobs in news, marketing, or talk shows, I realized that my excitement for these projects was short-lived. I quickly became creatively unfulfilled and got stuck in the comfort zone of making money. It didn’t matter how much I was getting paid because in the end I wasn’t happy. The reason I got into editing was because I wanted to make films and scripted TV shows, but I didn’t know how to break into Hollywood or if it was even possible. Years had gone by and I was only getting older. Was it too late to pursue my dreams? I knew that the only thing I would regret in my life is not trying, so I just went for it.

Sometimes you just need to close your eyes and jump. And I’m glad I did because in the end everything turned out to be alright. I must admit it wasn’t easy. I committed a lot of mistakes, went through a lot of rejection, experienced emotional distress, and went through periods of self-doubt. What kept me going was my desire to discover what I was capable of and see how far I could push myself in order to achieve my goals. Now I want to pass along that knowledge to people trying to do the same thing.

I don’t have any training in coaching or some fancy degree in psychology. I’m a guy who is relentless in pursuing his goals and wants to help people do the same. But I didn’t achieve happiness and success in my career alone. Throughout the years I’ve come across some amazing people that have offered valuable advice and guidance. That’s why I created the Hollywood Editing Mentor program. As someone who has sought out and benefited from mentoring, I’m now taking on the role of mentor by helping aspiring editors in navigating the path to achieving their career goals. I actively talk and meet with people who are looking for advice on how to get into and/or advance their careers in post-production. Not too long ago I was unaware of how to break into Hollywood and eventually found my dream job in the industry. I’ve been in your shoes and gone through the same struggles. The challenges and fears on this journey are real, and I want to tell you:

“It is possible!”
HollywoodEditingMentor.com

Ep. 11 - 'Cutting It' in the Music Industry with editor Mari Keiko Gonzalez

Hollywood Editing Mentor

11/24/20 • 53 min

Mari Keiko Gonzalez is an award-winning editor whose extensive list of credits include: The Weeknd's show open performance for the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards; Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President, which was slated as the opening night film at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival; Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, NWA, Stevie Nicks and The Cure's induction films for HBO's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; ABC's Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?; Tony Bennett Celebrates 90, which won the 2018 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album; and she is currently editing a documentary about the making of Tom Petty's '94 album Wildflowers.

Mari also produced, directed and edited the documentary, The Music Never Ends about The Mambo Legends Orchestra, formerly known as The Tito Puente Orchestra.
In episode 11, Mari and I talk about her experiences while working at Sony Music, her process behind editing multi-camera concerts and documentaries, working closely with sound mixers and directors, the evolution of the music industry and it's impact on editing jobs, and the benefits of adopting a health and fitness routine.

FAQ

How many episodes does Hollywood Editing Mentor have?

Hollywood Editing Mentor currently has 79 episodes available.

What topics does Hollywood Editing Mentor cover?

The podcast is about Film Interviews, Mentor, Podcasts, Education, Tv & Film and Film Editing.

What is the most popular episode on Hollywood Editing Mentor?

The episode title 'Ep. 37 - The Role of Emotion in Storytelling and the Editing of EUPHORIA with Aaron Butler, ACE' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Hollywood Editing Mentor?

The average episode length on Hollywood Editing Mentor is 48 minutes.

How often are episodes of Hollywood Editing Mentor released?

Episodes of Hollywood Editing Mentor are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of Hollywood Editing Mentor?

The first episode of Hollywood Editing Mentor was released on Jul 31, 2020.

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Hollywood Editing Mentor

Joaquin Elizondo, ACE

Top 10 Hollywood Editing Mentor Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Hollywood Editing Mentor have?

What topics does Hollywood Editing Mentor cover?

What is the most popular episode on Hollywood Editing Mentor?

What is the average episode length on Hollywood Editing Mentor?

How often are episodes of Hollywood Editing Mentor released?

When was the first episode of Hollywood Editing Mentor?

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