This article is the third and final installment of our "Tongal Creator Love Letters" series. Beginning in February, Tongal Creators got candid about their relationship with their craft and the relationships that enhance their craft. This series addresses how Creators fell in and out of love with the work they do, who or what keeps them motivated, and who truly understands them as an artist. Be sure to check out the first and second installments.
So there I was, just like any other day, working in a warehouse loading packages. It was a job that paid the bills, but let's be honest, it wasn't exactly thrilling. But then, everything changed. My wife came to me with a request for help with her social media posts and suddenly, I was thrown into the world of video editing.
At first, I was both excited and a little intimidated. I had never edited videos before, and the thought of learning something new was a bit daunting. But, I was determined to support my wife and be there for her in any way I could. So, I grabbed my laptop, took a deep breath, and dove into the world of video editing with both feet.
And let me tell you, what a ride it was! I started out with Adobe Premiere Pro, which has a reputation for being a bit of a beast to learn. But, I was up for the challenge. I spent countless hours studying, practicing, and perfecting my skills. And you know what? It was so much fun! I was like a kid in a candy store, discovering all the different tools and techniques, and loving every moment of it.
My first video editing project was for Potapas, an up-and-coming tortilla brand made of potatoes. I created high-energy ads for their Instagram account, featuring their logo, product, and fan videos. To maximize its use, I broke the ad into smaller chunks. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that taught me a lot about video editing and branding.
Then before I knew it, I was creating video advertising, editing YouTube videos, and making user-generated content that was so captivating, clients couldn't get enough of it! And then, the ultimate opportunity presented itself. One of the agencies my wife was managing social media for was in need of a video editor, and guess who they offered the job to? That's right, yours truly!
Working with some of the biggest names in the business, including Deepak Chopra, was both challenging and exhilarating. Every day was a new adventure, and I was loving every minute of it. I was finally able to turn my hobby into a career, and the journey was filled with self-discovery and growth.
I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of. I discovered a passion for the creative process and a natural talent for storytelling. I learned that I was a quick learner and able to adapt to new challenges. And, most importantly, I learned the value of perseverance. There were times when I felt discouraged, but I kept pushing forward and reminding myself of why I started in the first place.
In the end, I found my calling and fell in love with video editing. It transformed my life for the better and gave me the confidence and skills to pursue my passions. My advice to you is to find your passion and run with it. You never know where it will take you, but I promise you, it will be one wild and amazing ride.
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Note From Tongal: This blog is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here!
