Meet Dean Gonzalez | Film Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dean Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dean, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Just being in the film industry is a risk. I was always told you should go into business cause that is a safe bet. I feel nothing is a safe bet anymore so you gotta go with what makes you happy. I’ve always loved art, whether it’s film, music, writing etc… You have to just take a chance at the life you want to live.

I moved to LA without knowing a single person to pursue my dreams. I was told I’d be back in 6 months, it was hard but I did whatever it took to stay. Well I’ve been editing for over 20 years and I still love it. With the strike that just happened it has been one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever had to endure but I won’t stop. I will risk it all, there are no back up plans.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is hard to explain, I’m not even sure I understand it. It’s something I feel, it’s the endless hours looking at the footage or the art of so many people on a film set that inspires me to do the best I can. I liked to play drums when I was a kid and I wasn’t very good but I understood rhythm and pace. That helped me dramatically with editing especially cutting music videos.

It was never easy but I just kept striving to be the best I could be. Some editors work at one place there entire lives but I felt the urge to learn from many different masters so I sought out those editors that I looked up to. I worked hard but that is what it takes in any business, dedication and perseverance.

Our business changes all the time so I guess what I learned is to always look forward, for me it was keeping up with technology. You have to always learn the new editing software. It’s a tool like a paintbrush, your art is the same it’s just a different brush.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends come to visit I like to take them to more local places to bands, eat amazing food or just enjoy the view from point dune beach. There are so many great music venues like the Teragram Ballroom or the Permanent records Roadhouse to see great bands. For food I always love going to Casita Del Campo, they have the best fajitas and great Margaritas.

The Arts District has really cool places to check out as well like the Hauser & Wirth art gallery or we would just walk over to Little Tokyo for some fun shopping. I also have to hit up my favorite record stores like Gimmie, Gimmie Records in Highland park or Freak Beat records in Sherman Oaks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s impossible to pick just one example of support, mentorship or encouragement from others. It started with my British Literature teacher inspiring me to explore the world through stories, I mean this is what I do now is tell stories just in a different medium. The support I had from my parents who helped me get to Columbia College. That helped me find the opportunities to explore different art forms and land on editing. I then moved to LA and got a job at a commercial post production company called Avenue Edit. Those editors helped shape me with the knowledge and dedication of the craft. I then worked at Sunset edit editing Music videos and that helped me find my creative style. I have moved onto many different companies only to believe in myself and become the master of my own destiny as a freelance editor. All of the directors I have worked with also shaped me and inspired me to do the best even when it was difficult. Now I am repped by the talent agency UTA (United Talent Agency) this is a dream come true for a kid from the midwest. So I can’t just pick one but I am lucky to have had so many encouraging people in my life.

Website: https://www.deanedit.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deangonzalezedit/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deangonzalez/