Meet Judith Zhu

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

Hi Judith, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My mom always said I would become an artist when I was a little girl. Until junior high school, I spent every weekend engrossed in dancing and playing piano. Although I had to take a break due to the academic pressure in a standard education system, I benefited greatly from these leisure classes that cultivated my aesthetics and sparked my interest in art. The joyful memories kept flooding back when I was ruminating on what college major to pursue. . Naturally, I figured out the answer to my question, “what am I truly passionate about?”. I prepared and submitted a portfolio and decided to pursue creative media in Hong Kong.

I graduated with a BFA degree in creative media from the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. The education provided me with access to diverse forms of digital media and art curation.I was equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge to tell stories and express myself. Among all these art forms, I gradually reassured my particular enthusiasm for films.

As a fresh graduate from college with limited work experience, I felt immensely grateful for being accepted as an editing fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory. Here, I collaborated with fellows from diverse backgrounds who shared my love and enthusiasm for film and art. Over the two-year program, I honed my skills as an editor and assistant editor while simulating working in post-production in Hollywood. I have also picked up freelance gigs working with talents outside school. This experience instilled in me a sense of confidence in my abilities and craft. I enjoy sitting alone in a dark room, immersing myself in the sensibility of the film and adding that final touch of the movies to the audience as an editor. I am intoxicated with this form of art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I highly relate to my traits as an Aries. My insatiable curiosity about the world drives me to step out of my comfort zone and explore new opportunities. I took a gap year during college to intern at a renowned local post-production company, where I participated in editing a scripted reality TV show. I affirmed my passion for storytelling through editing. While I had not yet systematically studied the foundations of editing, I spent countless hours after work, comparing my cuts to those of professional editors’ and learning how to build emotions, control the pace, and engage the audience with the story. This experience helped me solidify my career goals.

My acceptance to AFI Conservatory again proved my leaving my comfort zone by moving to a foreign country. AFI’s intense study rhythm presented me with new challenges. The biggest struggle for me is self-doubt. During the first semester, I was lost in the concentration on editing techniques and tasks in front of me. At one point, I realized something needed to be done to make editing exciting again for myself. I took a break from the editing room, went to the theatre, and immersed myself in films. When the light dims, and the image on the big screen emerges, the film as if illuminates the way to a parallel world, where I embrace a distinct life or gain a life-changing insight for two hours. This recharged my passion. Surprisingly or not, everything started to go smoothly when I returned to the editing room.

The program at AFI Conservatory emphasizes practical training. I have completed four short films of multiple genres and am working on my final thesis film. As an emerging editor, I’m passionate about exploring various genres and am always drawn to stories that have unique voices and intriguing concepts.

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?
Born and raised in Beijing, China, I am delighted to find that LA has many authentic Chinese restaurants that sate my appetite for both traditional dishes and fusion specialties. For breakfast, I highly recommend Fortune No.1 for a taste of Tianjin cuisine, followed by a delectable dim sum experience at Lunasia Dim Sum House. A post-lunch drive to Elysian Park in DTLA would be unparalleled. You can bask in nature’s beauty and hike up to Angels Point for a breathtaking sunset view. If you happen to feel hungry at this time, Haidilao Hot Pot would be the perfect way to cap off a day of indulging in Chinese cuisine.

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 would like to thank my parents for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my life. I was timid when I was a kid, but they always motivated me to explore the world and face my fears, which helped me become an independent individual and pursue my dreams intrepidly. Moreover, I extend my thanks to my AFI editing fellows and instructors for their support. Not only do we collaborate to enhance our work, but we also bond like a family. I cannot imagine my life without their dedication, encouragement, and collegiality.

Instagram: @judith_zhu

Youtube: https://vimeo.com/judithzhu