Meet Lousine Shamamian | Television Editor & MSW Candidate

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

Hi Lousine, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I am in a transitional phase in my career at the moment. I have been a television editor for the last 25 years and starting this fall I will be a part-time student pursuing my MSW degree at CSUN. I chose editing originally because after taking a film production class in college, I was blown away by how quickly time would fly when I was editing. I had spent an entire Saturday locked up in a room editing and only got up twice in 8 hours. Four hours felt like 30 mins. I made a mental note – I could do this for a living! If eight hours felt like one, could I ask for a better job? And after graduating I worked at the non-profit Women Make Movies part-time and interned with the post team on “Jesus’ Son”, a film by first time director Alison Maclean based on the book by Denis Johnson. I learned a lot, interning on that movie, I realized what a long and arduous journey it could be to actually edit on features, because ultimately I wanted to direct and wanted editing to be a stepping stone. So I decided to go into TV and eventually worked my way up, I was lucky enough to work on the original “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”, I was a junior editor on that and then over the years, my editing highlights include “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked,” which I got an Emmy nomination for editing. I eventually worked on some scripted shows as well, like “Pose” and “American Horror Stories” and I worked on a documentary that won an Emmy, “Science Fair: The Series”. This summer, a feature TV movie I co-edited, “Noah’s Arc: The Movie” premiered on Showtime. My most recent editing credit is “Love Thy Nader” on Hulu which just came out this August.

Editing never fully satisfied my creative itch, so about 13 years ago I started taking standup classes and was performing in NY. I created a webseries called “Lousine: Lesbian Matchmaker To The Straights”, you can check it out on Youtube. Most of it is silly but one episode in particular deals with the challenges of coming out to my traditional Armenian family (Season 2, Ep 1). Ultimately, I am a storyteller, I think that’s what feels the most true. I love telling stories. I love empowering people and bringing the stories of marginalized people to mainstream audiences. Diversity and representation matters. We all need to see fair representation on screens and devices.

Now at age 49, I am shifting my focus and I want to get my masters in Social Work; and work with individuals directly, to help empower the most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities. Ideally, after I get my MSW, I will find a way to combine my years of expertise in television editing and storytelling to a field that needs advocacy, resources and attention – for the poor, the LGBTQ+ community, children and families impacted by institutional racism and marginalization. Ultimately, I want my creativity to be a source for advocacy and a space for representation, liberation, empowerment and joy! It’s important when focusing on these injustices to make sure to infuse joy, after all, all of us who are survivors (of any kind of trauma) know, shared joy and laughter is what can sustain us through the most difficult challenges and times.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always tried to follow my passions, listen to my instincts and give my all to whatever I choose to do. I loved editing for so long, but in the end stories are fundamentally what is most important to me. At this stage, I decided to make the shift into social work. Now, I’m excited to learn people’s stories and help empower them to create the lives they want.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I still feel like I’m new to L.A. especially because of COVID but I would say if you want a fun unpredictable night, check out a show at the Groundlings, I’ve yet to leave a show without a big smile on my face and a little ab workout from all the laughing. I’m a 49 year old lesbian who loves to dance so a night at Hotter Flash is always a fun Friday night, shows happen once a month. If you want delicious Armenian/Lebanese food, can’t go wrong with Carousel in Hollywood. I recently visited the Mr. Brainwash’s Museum which is a fun, interactive cheeky and somewhat subversive museum. Give me a hike around Griffith Observatory any day! I don’t start at the base of Griffith Park but if you go early (parking is free before noon M-F or before 10am Sat & Sun) by the observatory. Go early, park for free and get a great hike with amazing views of Downtown, the Hollywood sign, all the way to Santa Monica and the valley (without having to stress yourself out with that steep incline from the base). Farmers Markets are always a fun way to people watch, I go to the one on Larchmont on Sunday’s, you’re bound to spot a celebrity or two, picking up some fresh labne or strawberries.

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?
I want to Shoutout to GALAS – The LGBTQ+ Armenian Society that welcomed me with open arms when I moved here from NY back in 2017. Community is integral to our shared success and this organization is one I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation for. Since 1998, GALAS has been the leading voice in advancing equality for LGBTQ+ Armenians worldwide. GALAS was formed in Los Angeles by a group of LGBTQ+ Armenians who were looking for friendship, support, and a sense of belonging within the community. I also want to highlight the Downtown Women’s Center, an organization that helped me decide to pursue my MSW in Social Work, after I started volunteering with them. They are a phenomenal non-profit, the only one in Los Angeles dedicated to ending homelessness for women and gender-diverse individuals by providing safe housing and supportive services. Check them out and donate! They have over a 99% retention rate for the women they house.

Instagram: lousarev

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkmk7of3Kok

Other: some stand up – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhYAxRMkVQg

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