Meet Regi ALLEN | video producer/editor and creative director

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

Hi Regi, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I’ve been navigating the post-production world for nearly 30 years, and as an award-winning video editor, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about mastering the craft—it’s about finding and honing one’s own voice.

Working with teams of talented individuals has been a journey for me. Each project has been an opportunity to learn, share, and grow. However, what has truly mattered is discovering how to make my style unique and authentic.

I’ve always considered which elements of my work felt most true to me. By focusing on those, I developed a signature style that stands out not just for its technical finesse but also for its genuine expression.

Authenticity has been my focus, pushing me to innovate and tell stories that resonate more deeply. Whether it’s a promo a feature, or a music video, it’s about developing my own “feel” and “flow.” I hope that my dedication to keeping it real has earned the trust and respect of my peers and clients.

So, while technical skills and industry knowledge are crucial, the personal touch—the commitment to staying true to oneself and developing one’s own “language”—is what I strive for every day, in every edit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Regi Allen’s Lyrical Journey

From New York’s buzzing scene, in the late nineties’ gleam,
Regi Allen began his quest, crafting visions as a team.
At EDITEL, POST-PERFECT, his skills began to bloom,
With Rosanna Herrick’s guidance, he polished every room.

Unitel Post was his stage, for MTV to shine,
VH1 and CINEMAX, his edits always fine.
MACY’S and CALVIN KLEIN, commercial realms explored,
With every cut and transition, his reputation soared.

Fast forward through the tape, the names grow even grander,
VOGUE, BBC, and GOOGLE, his versatility couldn’t be grander.
AMAZON and DISNEY joined, as his saga unfurled,
Winning Emmys for his craft, enchanting the world.

One for Sesame’s sweet street, another for news that night,
With Peter Jennings by his side, bringing stories to light.
Seventeen years at Discovery, evolving without bounds,
To Warner Bros. Discovery, where his expertise resounds.

Back in ’96, a fellow with a cause,
At Carnegie Mellon’s STUDIO, he earned the crowds’ applause.
At the Andy Warhol Museum, his pop culture critique displayed,
A multimedia campaign that forever marked the trade.

From “Planet Brooklyn” to jazz, his directorial debut,
PBS aired his vision, a cinematic brew.
“10 Days in Africa” echoes each Black History Month,
A documentary of depth, with cultural punch.

More recently, his edits at the Sundance screen did marvel,
“Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” a documentary to unravel.
An Oscar nod on the horizon, with “Black Girls Play” and more,
His narrative continues, with MSNBC to adore.

In AI’s latest chapter, efficiency and art combined,
Regi’s driving innovation, making content truly shine.
With every tool in his arsenal, he elevates the tale,
Transforming media landscapes, without fail.

Now splitting time with grace, between cities far and wide,
Washington, Panama, London—worlds collide.
From Silver Spring’s foundation, new projects take their shape,
Regi Allen’s invitation, a future to remake.

Join this visionary leader, in media’s endless dance,
Connect, collaborate, and give your story a chance.
For in the power of media, Regi firmly believes,
Enhancing storytelling, a legacy he weaves.

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.
I’m a museum junkie. I grew up in New York City.

Let’s borrow David Zaslav’s jet to pick up my friend, Chris, and head to NYC. There are tons of museums and funky art galleries there. I believe that inspiration is gained through seeing and experiencing great creative work. I suggest taking an Uber and visiting as many art spaces as possible before happy hour.

Great artists steal from other artists. By taking and remixing what came before us, we can create a new work. It’s hard to reinvent the wheel. One of my mottos is, “Everything is a remix.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve always loved the saying “If I stand tall, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants.” I know it sounds a bit corny, but it truly means a lot to me. I won’t mention names, but there have been many editors and producers who graciously and generously taught me everything I know. Back in the day, they didn’t teach editing at school. You had to work your way up from the stockroom to the mailroom, reception, the machine room, and then the assistant editor position. Only then, if you had what it took, could you sit in the “chair.” The big chair, driving the mothership. The idea was that the cool cats had no problem sharing with someone who was excited about the craft “secrets.” There was a real sense of mentorship. I hope those times haven’t gone away because, in my opinion, there’s a personal connection with what we do that can’t be taught at a school or online. So, a lot of what I do is built on the strength of the people who showed me how to do it. I give them all their “roses”. I took what they gave me and ran down the block with it.

I want to give a shoutout to those amazing people; they know who they are. I remember when I got my first job as a full blown editor at a new company with all new equipment I had never seen before. I was terrified. I called one of the senior editors who mentored me and said, “Hey man, how do you do a dissolve on this system?” He yelled at me, “I don’t have time for this, but I’ll give you this little bit of advice… All you need to know is that it’s either a cut, dissolve, wipe, or key! Just start pushin’ buttons!” Get your shit together!”

Classic, Rick Cohen. I was good to go. BTW, shoutout to Rosanna Herrick and Pete Timlin.

Website: https://niceandcreative.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regi-allen-2630334/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regi.allen.7

Image Credits
all photos are owned by the nice media company