Why I created this program…

Hello, I’m glad you are here. My name is Joaquin Elizondo and I edit films and scripted TV shows in Hollywood (Narcos: Mexico, The Hot Zone: Anthrax, Dark Winds, Griselda). I want to tell you a quick story about how I got the idea to create this mentorship program.

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 and seasoned post-production professionals 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. 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!”