Meet Kevin Liu | Video Editor

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

Hi Kevin, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance for me, as a creative, have always been difficult. It’s a never ending struggle of taking necessary breaks versus putting your head down and creating before the juice runs low. At the start, I did everything in my power to embrace what I had. I joined a high school broadcast club that creates daily shows to news packages where I finally found a place for myself. After years of not knowing what I want to do in life, I realized that video creation was something that I’m decent at. I would often find myself staying after school to continue on the video projects that I was assigned to do. It felt like a comfort zone that I couldn’t get out of. I had no idea of work-life balance at the time, and I tried to be like my father, who is a workaholic by nature. I received compliments and awards in the next year and still had it in me to continue to do the same. It took a turn in my college days. There would be many responsibilities to take care of and on top of school, my body wasn’t handling it the same as it used to be. I broke my balance for the first time. I thought nothing of it and joined a short film club to continue to burn my creative fuel. When the 2019 pandemic came around, I remember we had just wrapped up a short film shoot that would be the start of it all. I was the only editor on the project, and the initial perception of a 10-minute short film would turn the next two years of my life upside down. I burned out, a handful of times, trying to edit this project. I finally realized that my mental health was suffering exponentially over time. I decided to take small breaks which led to bigger breaks that made me question if being a creative is the right path for me. Opening the premiere project was the hardest thing to do during this time. It was a college short film that I won’t forget. It taught me the lessons of pushing forward and knowing your limits. In the end, I finished the project after two long years using solely memories when making this film with our crew, and how much I want this project to be done for them to see. Now, I take my life outside of work more seriously – working out, taking walks, and going to museums. I’m not the same workaholic from before when I mindlessly exercise my creative muscle but still a workaholic, just a periodic one. Balancing all of this as a creative is still a struggle, but now I know the importance of it and how it could end my passion if I’m not being careful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When it comes to my artistic vision, it is the opposite of what you would think of an independent artist. I enjoy working 9-5 jobs and supporting other people’s visions. I enjoy video editing because I can become the main support for the director and help them create that vision. I’m excited about art that breaks the norm and is not afraid of being different. I was able to get to where I’m here today by improving my skills and the support of others. It wasn’t easy. It was common to forget to eat and end up eating instant ramen. I learned to work smarter and market more of my work. The best artist in the world won’t be the best if no one knows about it. I want to continue to foster my work and maybe one day bring a style of work that I never achieved before. If I can inspire others to do the same, it would mean the world to me, as a creative.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Grab some McDonald’s and watch the sunset. Other things would be similar to this, relaxing and enjoying the times together. No matter how big or how small.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first person that comes to mind would be my sister. Her creative journey of being an artist continues to inspire me when moving forward. My college friends who would always encourage me to do what I love and go on 2am McDonald’s run with. And my mentors, who give me the light to see the future.

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