From an early age, I knew I wanted to work in the film industry. Growing up during the golden era of movies in the 80s and 90s had a huge impact on me—spending weekends in movie theaters, renting films at Blockbuster, and becoming fascinated by the craft of storytelling through cinema. That passion first led me into still photography in high school, which became my introduction to visual composition and storytelling through images.
My interest in filmmaking deepened through film studies in community college before continuing on to Southern Illinois University Film School, where working hands-on with 16mm film and working on a Steenbeck flatbed editor solidified my passion for editing. At the same time, I immersed myself in the emerging digital workflow of Avid Media Composer and then Final Cut Pro, developing an appreciation for both the technical and creative sides of post production.
I began my professional career working in 35mm film optical effects and titles, creating typography for opening and closing title sequences on a wide range of feature films and trailers. From there, I worked my way through nearly every level of post production—post assistant, post coordinator, assistant editor, and eventually editor—gaining experience across short-form content, action sports, music videos, short films, viral media, and independent productions.
My ultimate goal was always narrative feature films, which led me to the American Film Institute Conservatory, where I earned my Master’s Degree in Film Editing. During my time there, I had the privilege of being mentored by acclaimed film editor Donn Cambern, whose guidance helped shape both my editorial instincts and approach to storytelling.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve built my career as a feature film editor, working across drama, thriller, comedy, family, and action films. Along the way, I co-founded Rocket Panda Post, a boutique post production company focused on high-end creative finishing and editorial services, and later helped launch Whiskey Panda Studios, an independent production company dedicated to developing and producing feature films.
Today, with more than 25 years of experience in the film industry, my background spans both post production and production, giving me a well-rounded understanding of filmmaking from development through final delivery. What continues to drive me is the same thing that inspired me as a kid sitting in a dark movie theater—the power of great storytelling and the emotional connection that film can create.
