Meet Vic Brown | video editor & photographer

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

Hi Vic, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The simple answer is that I wanted to pursue something I was truly passionate about, rather than just working a job to make money. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by creativity. My close circle of friends included musicians, graffiti artists, fashion designers, and filmmakers—all incredibly talented in their own right. Being around them from a young age really planted the seed for my own creative journey.

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.
My journey here has been shaped by listening, taking risks, and persevering—it’s been quite the ride. My creative career truly began when I met my brother Jesse on a basketball court in Westchester, CA. He introduced me to the world of filmmaking, and from that moment, I was hooked. With Jesse’s help, I was able to land some production gigs, but I quickly realized that wasn’t where I was meant to be.

While working at MTV, I had the chance to work in their dubroom, which brought me closer to the post-production side of things. It was there that I discovered my passion for editing. During late nights in the basement of Sunset Gower Studios, I shadowed assistant editors and soaked up everything I could about AVID. I remember being told, “Your next step should be a post house—no matter how small the job, just get in there. It’s where you’ll learn the most and find your opportunity to move forward as an editor.” And once again, I listened.

After MTV, I landed a role at a boutique post-production facility in Santa Monica, working in their vault—a place where I needed to be. From there, I moved on to Mad River Post as a vault manager. That role marked a pivotal moment in my journey, as I transitioned from vault manager to editor, working on commercials and music videos. Everything was progressing well until our shop unexpectedly closed, throwing me into the freelance world. This forced me to become my own business and build a brand quickly. I booked a few small clients right away, which kept me afloat while I marketed myself to new prospects.

Around this time, I began focusing heavily on my photography, shooting live music events whenever I could, and diving into street photography. I’ve continued both passions to this day, photography helps me exercise my storytelling muscle. As I adapted to this new freelance lifestyle, I felt the urge to push forward and started editing long-form content, like documentaries and feature films. This led me to join the Motion Picture Editors Guild. I edited three documentaries and a feature film before deciding to step away from the freelance world. Luckily, Gary, a former executive producer and good friend, brought me back into commercial editorial.

Then, the pandemic hit. At the start of the pandemic, I was offered a lead editor position that I couldn’t refuse, and I’ve been there for nearly five years now.

Through this entire journey, one key lesson I’ve learned is to never get too high or too low. Things can change in an instant, and it’s how you navigate those changes that truly matter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles, but a couple of my favorite spots—particularly for photography—are Santa Monica Pier and the Venice Beach boardwalk. The crowds are always changing, with visitors from all over, making both locations endlessly interesting to capture. If you’re on the pier, Rusty’s on the Pier is a great spot to catch the sunset with a drink in hand.

When the Lakers or Dodgers are playing, it’s one of my favorite ways to spend an evening, especially if it’s followed by a visit to a hidden downtown LA gem, Cana Rum Bar. For a night of live music, I’d recommend Harvelle’s in Santa Monica, where you can enjoy some fantastic jazz and blues.

When it comes to food, the options in LA are endless, but sticking with the Santa Monica/Venice area, you can’t go wrong with a burger from Win-dow on Rose—definitely a must-try.

Finally, I can’t forget to mention my favorite Sunday hangout spots down in Redondo Beach. Project Barley is a standout—my guy AJ serves up great beer with a view that rivals Rusty’s on the Pier. Just a few doors down is The Slip, where Amy serves up delicious food and drinks in an incredibly fun and lively atmosphere. Both places are definitely must-visits.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The saying “It takes a village” resonates deeply with my journey. At the forefront is my mother, whose strength, love, and unwavering support have been the foundation of my life. Right alongside her is my grandmother, whose influence and wisdom have been immeasurable. These two women deserve all the credit for shaping who I am today. Beyond them, I am incredibly fortunate to have a close-knit group of friends, whom I consider brothers—Jai, Teron, and Jesse. Their friendship has been a guiding force, expanding my horizons and encouraging me to pursue the creative career path I’m on today. I dedicate this shoutout to all of them!

Website: https://ivicbrown.com

Instagram: @skippem

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-brown-9864b717?trk=contact-info

Image Credits
all photos were taken by Vic Brown