Morgan: What inspired you to go into editing?

Luqi: The first time I edited something was in high school. We were assigned a project, and then our team had an idea, like shooting something and then cutting it together. But no one really knew how to edit, and I had a laptop. So, our team asked me to figure it out myself. So, I just used a program to edit whatever we shot together, and that's how I started knowing and learning about editing.

When I decided to be an editor, I think I was in college. I took two classes in the film program. Glenn Pack helped me a lot and that encouraged me. I was thinking about producing, but after knowing more about producing, I noticed that I can't. I'm just not made for that. So, I became more interested in editing.

I took some digital science classes. That helped in terms of graphic design. So, it was college that made me decide, “okay, I want to do editing.” And then- especially during my year- most of the students wanted to be a photographer or director. So, they were shooting a lot of projects, and then no one got a chance to edit them. They knew that I was interested in everything, so they asked me to help. I got exposed to more work on different projects, and that’s kind of why I started.

Morgan: Why did you choose to attend the AFI Conservatory for editing?

Luqi: After college, I definitely knew that I wanted to pursue more studies and editing. I knew that I wanted to learn specifically about editing rather than go to another grad school and learn different types of classes. Only AFI and Chapman had specific editing classes. 

Right after I graduated, I started working at Marcus Street Productions, which is in Venice. My boss graduated from AFI as a cinematographer a long time ago. So, I got to know more about how the school works and how they design the specific major. Then of course, we all heard that AFI is the film school. And, I was talking to Shannon and seeing all these students from all different kinds of schools coming to Visions. I heard a lot of things about it as well. And I was like, “Oh yeah, I want to go to AFI. Is this possible?” 

So, I applied at AFI. I wasn't even thinking that I would get picked. I was just like, “I want to just go through the interview process so I can learn. And then if I don't get picked, I'll be more prepared for the next year.’ So, I applied to AFI to just try it out, but I was surprised I got in. It was amazing.

Morgan: Having gone to AFI, has this affected your career in any way and led to more job opportunities?

Luqi: I would definitely say yes. First of all, how they design the program is really intense, and it provides a lot of opportunities for you to practice. You have a lot of projects in the first year, and you get to collaborate with different people. It's very intense, but it’s all about being hands-on. Everyone got really hooked into that mindset. You’re working, because most of our teachers are still working nowadays. They teach at night, and then they have their normal editing job during the day. So, they gave us a lot of insight into the hours of working in the real world. That helped us to know what to expect after finishing the program.

Definitely, the intensive nature of the program gave us a chance to practice. Also, AFI has alumni connections, which will help us to get to know more people. Most of them are really nice and really helpful. Sometimes they will have gatherings that you can join. It’s a really good community. 

With COVID, everything this year has been on hold. The best thing I think I got from this program is you got to work with different people because you have to do different projects, and then you have to collaborate with all different disciplines and for different projects. You get to learn how to work with different people in different ways and a variety of topics and stories. That was a really big help for me.

Morgan: You moved from Wilmington to LA to get into editing and attend AFI. What was the biggest challenge of the move, and how did you get your feet into the industry out west?

Luqi: I think I'm still trying to see how to plan my way into the industry. If you want to work on big studio movies, you have to join the union. So, I'm just doing the process to collect hours. I think the biggest challenge that I will have is trying to find projects and then collect hours for the union, because they have really specific rules.

As for now, a lot of my short films that I worked on are just student projects, but according to the union rule, the student projects don't count as union hours. So, you have to find student projects and then union films to work on to be able to collect the hours.

Because I graduated in December 2019 and right after that COVID hit, it's been a hard process to look for more work, but not on and off as you have projects from friends or suggested friends who are directors. There definitely is less chance to get any type of jobs right now on the West side. It’s probably the same as Atlanta or like New York because of the COVID situation. 

Before this, I think the biggest challenge I had was probably trying to figure out what clients want. In the beginning when I just started working, my boss was helping me out on how to work with clients. What she said is, “Sometimes, you don't really know what they want. It's a communication process.” 

You just have to spend time talking to them and then ask more questions. Or, chat with them and get to know their personality more. Then, help them figure out what they want and always talk by asking questions. It doesn't matter in emails or talking to them. Always ask them questions. Or, give them choices. “Oh, do you think this is better? Or, I know you were thinking about this.” So, give them more options or incorporate your own ideas and provide suggestions in this choice. I think that was my biggest challenge during working, but my boss helped me a lot to figure it out.

Morgan: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to go into editing as a career?

Luqi: First of all, definitely be organized. Be 100% or even 200% organized. Doesn’t matter if it’s assets or for materials outside of the project, in the hard drive, or inside the project, just keep everything organized. That is the number one rule for everything, I think.

Then, be patient. You just have to be patient. If people are not patient enough, they won't like it. It's for some people. For some people, it’s really boring, really dry. You definitely need patience to be an editor. 

My third advice is, just try it out. Try to edit as many projects as possible. During the process you can figure out if this is your thing. Also, just try to edit as much as possible. You will find your own way, and you will get to understand more of your own editing style.

Morgan: What excites you most about being a part of Visions?

Luqi: Just to be back at Visions and to see how everything has grown and how it’s different. I helped Visions 4 and 5 if I remember correctly. So, it’s been a long time. I was always hoping to be able to go back in person. It didn’t work because I had to work or had school. This is the first year that we’re trying to do it online, So I’m just excited to see how everything has grown and what will be different this year.

To learn more about Luqi, check out her website, https://www.luqizhao.com/, or follow her on Instagram @luqizhao.mili