We’re looking forward to introducing you to Aiden Delfin. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Aiden, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I think I’m most proud of building up my resilience. Over the years, especially in college, I’ve had my fair share of struggles that felt like they were trying to pull me down. I had to learn how to keep pushing through and stand above those struggles. I don’t really talk to people about my struggles so this has really been a silent battle for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Filipino-American film student at Woodbury University and I am aiming to be cinematographer in the film industry. My goal as a cinematographer is to shoot narrative feature films, but right now, I’ve been the cinematographer for student thesis short films, music videos, and corporate promotional videos.
In school, I also work as a Student Assistant for the 1st and 2nd year film classes, and it’s been such a great experience working with new filmmakers and guiding them to be the artists they want to be.
One of the biggest goals I have as a Filipino-American artist is bringing more of the Filipino culture into the work I do. I have a lot of pride in my culture and I want to bring that into my work and my art.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was the kid who didn’t care at all about what people think or what anyone’s opinions of me are. I minded my own business without the social pressure of appealing to others. I always made and did things that would make me happy, and to me that was all that mattered.
While the art I make today follows that same mindset, the pressure of an audience’s opinions looms over me constantly. It’s almost like the devil on my shoulder, constantly doubting myself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“There’s a reason for every single thing that happens in your life. It could be good, it could be bad, but there’s a reason why things happen and why things exist. Don’t lull on the past or what could’ve been. Roll with the punches and keep going.”
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think the version of me that people see is a version of the real me. There definitely are parts of me I don’t share with anyone, but the parts that people do see are very real. I don’t try to exaggerate myself or pretend to be someone I not. I find that exhausting and just not being true to myself.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I like to think I’m doing what I was born to do. Being a filmmaker was always a dream of mine, and my family never pushed me towards or away from it, they let me follow my own path and do what I want. I’ll forever appreciate my family for doing that for me. I always found myself drawn to the arts and I’m very grateful that I’m able to make my career the thing I’ve always wanted to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aidendelfin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiden.lando/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidendelfin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AidenLando
Image Credits
Nathan Schiltz, Ruth Chang, Maya Hennessey
