Discover Top Video Editors - Documentary in Irvine, California, USA

Hi, I am a creative and adventure videographer/photographer based out of Newport Beach, CA. I am looking to tell the stories of the unique people and places that this world has to offer. My passion for videography and photography started back during my senior year of college when I was attending Chico State. Throughout my time there I was really unsure about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I kept jumping back and fourth between wanting to start all sorts of different things. First, it was wanting to design cars. Next, it was wanting to design snowboards. Then, I wanted to start a clothing brand and design t-shirts. But there was something that all of these things had in common...I wanted to create. It wasn't until I picked up my first camera, a GoPro, that I knew this is what I wanted to create for life. I found my passion for videography and photography after four years of college and 100 credits later. Would have been nice to find it my freshmen year when I could have changed my major...but hey, what are you going to do? I started taking my camera every where with me. Anytime that my friends and I went hiking, cliff-jumping, camping, snowboarding, wakeboarding, dirtbiking, rollblading, and dirtbiking. You name it and my GoPro was by my side capturing all of my most memorable moments in life. Since then, my passion grew more and more for videography and photography that it became apart of my everyday life. It is so much more to me than just creating beautiful images and videos. It is an outlet for me to display my emotions and create the art that is important to me. It has helped me with every aspect of my life and turned me into the person I am today.

• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Sound Designer
• Field Producer
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Commercial

I am director, photographer and director of photography. Started shooting with my fathers Nikon F and Beaulieu Super 8mm when I was 14 years old. Its my passion and have not "worked" a day since. I have shot, produced and directed TV Commercials, Documentaries and Music Videos. I recently won the Audience Award at the Portuguese Surf Film Festival for my big wave surfing documentary Wet Dreams. I have shot photo campaigns with Sofia Vergara and Carolina Herrera among others and clients like Ford, Coca Cola, Hilton, Chevy, Citi have entrusted me with their brand. My work as been published in numerous magazines including, NYT and Vogue. I love what I do, and even if I win the lottery (hopefully next week) I will be up the next morning at 4am setting up for a time-lapse. My work has taught me the meaning of life and every assignment has given me the opportunity to learn and grow. I don't take any assignment lightly, I am a perfectionist that will always push the limits of my craft. I also smile often.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary

Carolyne always seeks to find an authentic connection with her subjects and is passionate about the ability of visual storytelling to tell an accurate and powerful narrative. Carolyne began her journey as a photographer and visual storyteller in college; the magic chemistry of a white sheet of paper slowly developing into an image as the chemistry washed over was addicting and she changed her major Fine Art after struggling and failing with a Biology major and not being interested in the career aspects of a History degree. After university Carolyne worked as an assistant to photographer Jay Reilly, a photo editor for Sumner Photography, and assistant editor for photographer Joy Doherty, and she was the Lead BTS Still Photographer on the feature-length film To Save A Life (2009). After taking a journalism class at the local community college, Carolyne was asked if she wanted to intern at the San Diego Union-Tribune where she worked as an intern in the photo department of the News section. Her first brush with photojournalism she was hooked, previously not realizing her love of documentary photography and real-time history could be combined. After the internship, she continued to take classes in journalism and even was the Photo Editor at the Palomar College's student newspaper the Chariot. During this period Carolyne worked as a server and bartender throughout north San Diego County, honing her social skill set, learning how to interact with people, and getting them to like and trust her immediately. With her husband, they started a screen-printing company called Noble Ink where they made the merchandise for local music acts in San Diego. Through her time in the food industry, Carolyne backpacked through Europe, Mexico, and the United States, and also took the time to pursue her own personal projects covering the migrant caravan, wild horse roundups, and the sociological and ecological impact of Burning Man. Once the pandemic hit, Carolyne saw her restaurant close down and all of her freelance photography gigs canceled, she realized it was her one chance to be able to throw herself into studying filmmaking and storytelling. Again she enrolled in classes at her local community college, learning filmmaking, editing, and motion graphics. In the spring of 2020, she began an internship at KOCT - The Voice of North County, a local non-profit public access channel and production house starting as an audio technician and moving up to camera operating, floor directing, and teleprompter. She expanded her skill set to include focus pulling and slate as an Assistant Camera while working on several short films and a feature film in Los Angeles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Currently, Carolyne works as the Lead Production Staff at KOCT and is the lead Videographer/Editor at San Diego LabRats.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Production Assistant
• Corporate Videographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Illustrator
• Documentary DP
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Video Editor - Documentary

I would like to continue to grow, and move forward with my career as a Director. I have been a paid videographer since I was 15 years old, studied cinema at George Mason University, and New York Film Academy, freelanced on major commercial sets with Jonas Akerlund for two years in Los Angeles, CA, and have been with Buzzfeed for what will be the total of 9 mos. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in Buzzfeed’s VR and 360 department using the Odyssey camera from Google. VR greatly interests me, and I believe it to be the “final frontier” of cinema. I am an avid traveler, and have been globe trotting since before I could walk. I completed a feature-length documentary, "Sailing On A Shoestring", for my senior thesis in college. The film is about my dad, who built his own boat during the height of the Apartheid in South Africa, and then proceeded to cross the Atlantic three times. The documentary allows him to relive his memories of sailing, and follows him in search of his vessel's fate. More recently, I have completed three short documentaries. Two of which from Film Stuff Productions in Italy and Poland, and the third with Buzzfeed.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Production Company
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• VR / AR

I, Dave (DG) Sorafine have been working in television since I was 15 years old. My passion for being behind the camera and documenting anything and everything started at a very early age. Everybody, including mother nature, has a unique personal story to tell, and I want to tell it through my camera lens. While my early career has been mostly centered around sports and lifestyle filming, I also have a desire for narrative scripted storytelling. I feel like not being able to control your environment prepares you for virtually any kind of scenario that should arise on set or in the field. My experiences have made me an incredibly patient, passionate, and proactive storyteller. Everytime I take the camera out for a job, it feels like I'm embarking on a new adventure with a new team of people ready to document something special. I've been lucky enough to work with such clients as ESPN, NFL Network, PGA Tour Entertainment, Time Warner Cable, Golf Channel, NBC & Disney.

• Documentary DP
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Assistant
• Commercial DP
• Production Company

HELLO, I’M SARAH. I'M ORIGINALLY FROM CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BUT FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS I’VE MANAGED TO LOSE MY COOL CALI VIBE AND SOME OF MY SAVINGS TO THE STREETS OF NEW YORK. I'VE HAD A LOVE FOR STORIES FOR A REALLY LONG TIME AND MY PASSION FOR STORYTELLING HAS UNAPOLOGETICALLY FOUND IT’S WAY IN EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE. I MAY HAVE GROWN PROFESSIONALLY IN NETWORK NEWS BUT I'VE RECENTLY DECIDED TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AND FREELANCE SO I CAN PRODUCE AND DIRECT MY OWN DOCUMENTARIES. I STUDIED NEWS AND DOC AT NYU, BROADCAST JOURNALISM AT USC, WORKED AT PLACES LIKE VICE, ABC, CNN AND CBS, BUT NOW IT’S TIME FOR ME TO STRUGGLE AS A DOC FILMMAKER LIKE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE I LOOK UP TO. SOME OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME – I’M SECRETLY OBSESSED WITH SINGING COMPETITIONS AND I CAN FALL ASLEEP ALMOST IMMEDIATELY IN ANYTHING THAT MOVES BE IT A CAR, PLANE, BOAT, OR TRAIN. I AM ETHIOPIAN AND BAJAN, THE ONLY CHILD OF AN AMAZING WOMAN AND THE FUTURE OWNER OF A CHOCOLATE LAB.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant

Jonathan Pickett is an Emmy-nominated creative producer / director. His documentary work focuses on well-observed stories happening in real time, captured with a sense of intimacy and playfulness. His work has been released through The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, New York Times, The Atlantic, ALTER, NoBudge, Short of the Week & Vimeo Staff Picks. He's had projects premiere at film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, Seattle, Austin, HollyShorts, Mountainfilm, Palm Springs, and dozens more. His most recent short documentary "Chicken Stories" won the jury prize for Artistic Vision at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, after which it was acquired by The New Yorker and selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. He produced "Mr. Somebody" which was a selection at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival and screened with the Producers Guild of America. "Beneath the Ink," a short documentary he co-produced, won 20 awards, qualified for the 2019 Academy Awards, and was acquired by Condé Nast.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director

Lauren Schwartzman is a documentary film director, editor, and producer based in Los Angeles, California. She also works as an archival producer for documentary films. Lauren was the Associate Producer and Assistant Editor for the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020, Dir. Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht). The film was executive produced by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Crip Camp continues to garner accolades, including a Peabody Award, and reach people around the world. Just prior to her work on Crip Camp, Lauren completed her Masters of Journalism with a concentration in documentary film at the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Her thesis film, Dust Rising, won a Student Academy Award, was shortlisted for the BAFTA Student Film Awards, and screened in festivals across the U.S. Before embracing film as the perfect marriage of all her interests, Lauren has variously been an environmental educator, Peace Corps Volunteer, trail crew leader, poet, and visual artist. These past lives inform her work in film.

• Video Editor - Documentary
• Non-Fiction Film Director

I have extensive experience as a producer/writer of behind the scenes featurettes and Electronic Press Kits and have been on the forefront of innovative ways to use video to promote and publicize network programs. I have worked on location throughout Europe and domestically. I have worked closely with many outlets including ABC Television, SciFi Channel, NBC, etc. I recently produced my own documentary, "Thrown For A Loss" which won a Telly Award. I enjoy a positive reputation as a creative producer who is easy to work with and who is able to handle pressure including "Live" set ups and feeds. I also work as a coordinating producer between ABC Affiliates and the ABC Network to coordinate Live coverage of "Dancing With the Star" from on location in Hollywood to various cities throughout the country. I also work closely with ABC NewsOne based in New York to help coordinate ABC News coverage of Dancing With The Stars.

• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Assistant

Claire M. Andreae is a documentary director, producer, and editor. She was born in Mainz, Germany, where she attended German schools and after receiving the Abitur moved to Los Angeles to study Film and Television Production at Loyola Marymount University. She grew up bilingually, speaking English and German, and has traveled extensively throughout her life. During her time at LMU, she directed three short documentaries that played successfully in film festivals and won awards for best student film, best editing, and best documentary. She has recently completed her short documentary, "Living With Fire," which focuses on the effects that climate change is having on wildfires in California. Her previous documentary was about an international research project in the Amazon rainforest, titled "ATTO: An Adventure in the Amazon." Believing film to be a powerful force that can contribute towards creating a better world, Claire M. Andreae will continue making documentaries that both educate and entertain, thus helping her audiences to appreciate and understand the world around us.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Field Producer
• Production Company
• Reporter / Journalist
• Translator
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant

I started out as still photographer freelancing in the Washington D.C. Area. I was published in just about every magazine in town as well as National and International news outlets. I was able to travel thanks my camera. I love melting into the crowd or background and capturing the moment, mood or feeling. After years of freelance I worked as a press photographer for the U.S. Department of State. A few years in, State hired me to produce, shoot, direct, and edit short form documentaries traveling domestically and internationally. For me, documentaries are personal insights to spectacular people and their lives. Sometimes I want to expose a wrong and sometimes I just want to revel in someone's goodness, quirkiness, talent, silliness. What makes humankind act the way we do? What motivates us to make choices, start organizations, ruin lives for our own gain? How does one find their demise? Human life is so pedestrian at times and then so unpredictable. Our duality is fascinating.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

I’m a filmmaker with a deep investment in telling stories that explore pressing social and environmental injustices. In dealing with complicated topics like religious nationalism, plastic pollution, or suicide prevention, my primary motivation is to translate complex information into actionable knowledge that empowers viewers. I’ve served as assistant editor to Academy Award-winning documentarian Freida Lee Mock on her features Ruth and The Choir and Conductor and associate editor on Suzanne Joe Kai’s Like a Rolling Stone: The Life and Times of Ben Fong-Torres. In 2019 I co-wrote and edited Wake Up: Stories from the Frontlines of Suicide Prevention. I’m currently on the festival circuit with my directorial debut, Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy. I received my BA in Film Studies from UC Berkeley and my MFA in Film and TV Production from Loyola Marymount University.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Line Producer / On-Location

Vashi defected from Czechoslovakia as a child during the Cold War and grew up in Toronto & Detroit. Following his career as a professional hockey player, he has been a professional film editor in Los Angeles since 2000. Vashi has edited 11 feature films including “6 BELOW: Miracle on the Mountain,” the global phenomenon “Sharknado 2,” the comedy “An American Carol” for director David Zucker (Airplane, Scary Movie) & PTSD documentary “That Which I Love Destroys Me” for director Ric Roman Waugh (Angel Has Fallen, Snitch). Vashi has cut over 50 national commercials for numerous brands including Nike, Volkswagen, Ford, NHL, EA Sports, Adobe, Medal of Honor, US Army, US Navy, US Marines, US Reserve & the US Air Force. His company VashiVisuals has provided post-production workflow, consulting services and Premiere Pro training for numerous projects including Deadpool, Gone Girl, The Good Doctor and House of Cards. Vashi has also trained over 100 fellow ACE film editors in Premiere Pro.

• Senior Editor
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - News
• Colorist
• Sound Designer
• Sound Mixer
• Full-Service Live Production
• Post-Production Manager
• Digital Content Creator
• Influencer
• Creative Director
• Art Director

Kico Velarde is a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry, renowned for his multiple talents as a producer, editor, and director. He began his career in Los Angeles after completing college, initially working as an assistant editor before moving on to edit projects for prominent companies such as NBCUniversal, Deluxe Digital Studios, Technicolor, HGTV, Olmos Productions, and IFC. His journey evolved from editing to producing internationally acclaimed films such as "PVC-1" (2007) and "Meteora" (2012), earning him nominations for several film festival awards, including the prestigious Caméra d'Or award at the 2007 Festival De Cannes International Film Festival. Velarde is also celebrated for his role as a supervising producer on Jay Leno's Emmy award-winning web series "Jay Leno's Garage." His exemplary work has garnered him five Primetime Emmy nominations and has established him as an award-winning filmmaker both domestically and internationally. Beyond television and film, Velarde has made notable contributions to the intersection of content creation and technological innovation. He was recruited by Apple to join their exclusive Pro Workflow Team, where he was instrumental in architecting complex workflows for film and TV. At Apple, he helped develop next-generation technology and professional workflows for film and television production, cementing his status as a visionary in both the creative and technical realms of the industry. Velarde's career is a testament to his dynamic range and his commitment to advancing the field of media and entertainment.

• Executive Producer
• Field Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - News
• Senior Editor
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Digital Content Creator
• Series Producer / Show Runner

Joaquin Camilo is a multifaceted talent in the world of film and arts. Founding Calor Humano in 2018, Joaquin ushered a wave of transparency, inclusivity, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence into the industry. Under his leadership, Calor Humano rapidly produced and delivered 4 independently financed films in less than three years, marking its presence in the industry as a force to reckon with. Recognizing the need for evolution, Joaquin steered the company towards executive production, today trusted with a catalogue of independent films. Not limiting himself to just one venture, Joaquin went on to establish The Film Vault in the UK. With this forward-thinking company, he is revolutionizing the independent film sector, leveraging the potent combination of Artificial Intelligence, data, and analytics to aid filmmakers in their financial decisions. His proficiency in translating intricate data into engaging narratives has cemented his position as a trusted advisor for filmmakers aiming to secure finances. Joaquin is most recently collaboration with Wolf Run Rogue. As a producer with this full-service production house, he is now crafting captivating commercial content, raising the bar for aesthetic and storytelling standards in the realm of commercial film. Whether it's in front of the camera, as an actor with significant credits across various commercial projects, or behind the scenes, Joaquin's passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence resonate in every endeavor he undertakes.

• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Full-Service Live Production
• Executive Producer
• Field Producer
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Production Company
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• On-Camera Talent
• Copywriter
• Product Photographer

Relavox is a full-service media production agency. Since founding by husband and wife team Lindsey and Josh Hasty (PGA) in 2015, Relavox has built upon its competitive business model of producing world-class video, animation, and still photography content from ideation to final delivery in-house. Thanks to deep roots in successful DIY filmmaking, Relavox has built relationships, systems, and tools that vertically integrate productions, squeezing maximum value from every dollar on any budget without sacrificing quality. Over nearly a decade, the team at Relavox has written, produced, directed, edited, and scored feature films, documentaries, commercials, and educational content for some of the most respected names in various markets. Our work has been distributed internationally online, through physical media, streaming, and in theaters by Lionsgate, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Sony Pictures, and from the brands we partner with.

• Production Company
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Colorist

Nova West is an artist, filmmaker, photographer, conservationist, and environmental educator originating from southern Minnesota. Currently based out of San Diego California, their passion lies in exploring our natural world and finding creative ways to inspire others to jump in. Nova currently works as a freelance camera operator - specializing in wildlife, expedition, and underwater documentary storytelling - and as an artist and designer by commission. They often work at sea as a Video Engineer and Expedition Documentarian aboard the E/V Nautilus, operating ROV camera systems and documenting groundbreaking deep sea exploration operations. They also filmed and co-directed Diving for Rays, which is now available for streaming globally on Waterbear Network. Across their work they've collaborated with organizations such as National Geographic, Discovery, Netflix, Red Rock Films, NOAA, Ocean Exploration Trust, and more.

• Graphic Designer
• Illustrator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Digital Content Creator
• Drone Operator
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director

A pleasure to meet you. I've been working in media for the past 25 years. I started my career in Production/Advertising and moved to live Sports and events productions. And I found my passion in Storytelling in News. I've worked with all the major news outlets in the US. Univision, Telemundo, CW, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC. The first 10 years of my news career were dedicated mainly to Directing/Technical Directing Newscasts for Univision San Diego and Telemundo33 San Diego. When I moved to the general market, I switched to videography and editing. In my last 7 years working in News in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. I have developed my craft as a Storyteller and Photojournalist. I have been awarded for my work a NATAS regional Emmy (2), RTDN Edward R. Murrow Award for fire coverage, RTDN Golden Mic (2), and Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles video contest (4). I have co-produced and directed the Spanish Official Show of the San Diego Chargers. I have experience both in front and back of the camera. I love to collaborate as well as work on my own. My many years in Live Television and Production have given me the experience to produce great content. Adding value to every project that I do. I will love to work with you.

• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• HD Live Operator
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Creative Director
• Digital Content Creator
• TV News Producer
• Art Director
• Drone Operator

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist • Media Consultant • AI Expert • Professor • Blogger • Author • Lifestyle Specialist ••• Olivia Smith is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, media consultant and AI expert based in L.A. She focuses on innovating storytelling with cutting-edge technology. Olivia is currently on the GenAI Content team at Meta. Before this role, she spent a decade at Disney, working for ABC News, GMA and ABC7. Olivia is also an Adjunct Professor at USC. Beyond journalism and tech, Olivia has several passion projects. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Media Consulting Coaches, where she offers on-camera training and content creation courses. She is also the Founder and CEO of the blog Get Savvy with Social. Olivia is a lifestyle specialist and has a Certified Nutrition credential through NASM. She loves writing and authored a series of children's books about detective dogs, which she created with her father. Follow her for day-to-day updates on her work @LivNews and #LivWell.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Video Editor - News
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• TV News Producer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Event Photographer
• Audio Storyteller
• Fixer
• Executive Producer

Hello, My name is Bernard, I am a French American and a filmmaker for over 35+ years. As a cameraman and DP I grew up during the “Old-School” era of classic filmmaking I have been influenced by the work and by the philosophy of great cinematographers of the Nouvelle Vague period in France. My most prominent inspiration is Nestor Almandros who created cinema Vérité in Cuba (Oscar winner for Kramer vs Kramer and The Blue Lagoon). My brother, Gérard Blain, was an renown actor in France during this period. (Le Beau Serge /Jean-Claude Chabrol, in the US for his part in Hatari /John Wayne) The Nouvelle Vague took the camera out of the studios and with very little money they created master pieces, and a whole new direction and approach to filmmaking. That is not to say I am not acquainted with more modern takes of filmmaking. I am also heavily inspired by the early MTV's style of camerawork. The freedom; breaking the rules with lighter cameras and the preference for videos over films, a new style was created. I am from both of those worlds. And for me, the simple rule is to keep the viewers undisturbed from technical effects, if in fact they are needed at all to begin with. Over the 35 years of filming and documenting wood sculptors, I have mastered ways of filming and producing that makes you feel closer to the art piece. As a producer, I was looking for the creative process; the soul behind the art. I love doing interviews, I am used to go on the road and sometimes do the interviews myself, the camera, set-up, audio... everything! A one man show! (Beyond Wood series) In 1998, I was already encoding videos with “Real Player”. Today I create posts on Facebook, YouTube and other social media outlets. They are great platforms and tools in which I may reach a larger and more diverse audience. Thank you for your consideration, Sincerely, Bernard

• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant