Making the Cut: careers in editing

Luqi Zhao

Editing Fellow, American Film Institute

Luqi Zhao is currently based in Los Angeles. She grew up in Kunming, a city in Southwest China and she moved to the U.S in 2011. She graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with a major in Film Studies in 2016, a minor in Digital Arts and a minor in Asian Studies. During undergrad, she developed a strong interest in editing which led her to pursue her dream to become a film editor. She then moved to Los Angeles and worked in post-production at Market Street Productions in Venice, California for a year. In 2019, Luqi graduated from the Editing Program at AFI Conservatory (AFI). 

One of her AFI thesis films, THE SPEECH, has been screened at 20+ film festivals worldwide; receiving NEST-Special Mention of the Jury at The 68th San Sebastian International Film Festival and an Official Selection at Palm Springs International ShortFest 2020. Her other AFI thesis film, MISS BOUNDLESS, has been selected in 10+ film festivals, receiving Silver Remi Winner at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2020, and was shown at Urbanworld Film Festival. As of now, Luqi has edited one feature film and one feature documentary, along with 10+ shorts.

Graham Patterson

Editor, Modern Post

Graham is an award winning editor with a background as an independent filmmaker and musician based in NYC. He has over 10 years experience as an editor in the creative industry, and has spent the last 4 years at Modern Post working on branded content, music videos and documentaries with elite industry filmmakers and artists. Brands and clients over his career include Dior, Louis Vuitton, Apple, & Vogue among many others, and music videos include artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, SIA, and Doja Cat. 

Viet Nguyen

Camera Operator & Editor, FireThief Productions

Viet spent 7 years serving in the military and traveling the world as a “propagandist” in graphic design creating posters, leaflets and handbills for the United States Army Special Operations. After the military, he studied Photography and Video Production at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. He has worked on everything from documenting international coalition operations, working in film festivals, music videos, brand marketing and independent films to syndicated television shows and full-scale studio productions. He now calls FireThief Productions in Tulsa, OK, home; as a camera operator and an Emmy (Regional) Award winning editor.