Peter Szijarto
Video Editor & Animator
Freelancer
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Developed a passion for computers and film as a child.
Took college computer programming classes in high school.
The programming I learned was boring so I decided to enroll in art school in media arts.
Graduated in 2008 when the economy tanked. Could not find a video editing job anywhere.
Worked as a call center phone operator in 2009 for two years.
2 years later I quit. Walked dogs. Painted houses. Started a design company.
Closed the design company and started taking any film / tv related job I could get.
As of 2014, freelance full-time as a video editor w / 50+ credits & work w / amazing people everyday.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Video Editor & Animator
I am digital and multimedia creator.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Television
Design
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
I am a video editor and animator. I get to take beautiful footage and create a story out of it, whether it's for a commercial, documentary, or film. I spend my time organizing footage, finding the raw, beautiful, emotional moments and putting it all together so that the client or viewer loves spending their time watching it. The reason I chose this profession is that story telling is something I am very fond of. Whether I am animating or editing, it's all about telling a story in the end.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT! Watch movies. Edit videos. Draw. Study great directors / editors / animators work. Watch TONS of YouTube tutorials related to filming. Pick one of the industry standard editing softwares and learn it! Premiere Pro, After Effects, Avid, or Final Cut. Read books and study the art of story telling. If you aren't patient, learn how to be! Editing and animation takes HOURS AND HOURS of work sitting at a computer. Really, hours upon hours.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"You shouldn't pass up a high paying job even if you don't like it because it may not come at you again."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation Immigrant
