Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamish McLean.
Hi Hamish, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
G’Day! I’m Hamish and I’ve come all the way from Perth in Western Australia! I’m currently studying at The American Film Institute, majoring in Editing! My journey in film began as most do these days – by making home videos, editing gaming montages, and playing around in the early days of YouTube. I was always incredibly technologically savvy, having been surrounded by it at such a young age and I had the intuition to understand most computer programs, and this is how my passion for editing came about.
I began to pursue my passion in high school and then completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in Perth, with majors in Screen Arts and Animation & Game Design. After graduating from university, I worked in Perth for a few years at a 3D Animation Studio, and on the side, I worked on short films with a few friends.
Perth doesn’t have the largest film landscape, and I knew I needed a change, so I searched for it. I never intended to complete a post-graduate degree, but a teacher from my university posted a link to the AFI applications page, so I applied. I didn’t know much about the Institute or its history, but I knew how prestigious it was, so I thought, what the heck, and applied. I wasn’t expecting much, to be honest. But lo and behold, I got a response, and after a vigorous interview process, I was accepted.
My life changed forever. I left my hometown and made the long journey over the Pacific to Los Angeles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s never a smooth road moving to a new country by yourself. You’re bound to encounter some difficult situations. It was tough to leave the place I called home for so many years. I had to leave my family, friends and everything I once knew. But I knew I would have the time of my life here, and I was chasing a fresh start – I was ready to make the journey. My past had somewhat prepared me for this move, and the US is the 5th country that I have lived in, so I knew what to expect when adjusting to a new culture and way of life.
Adjusting to Los Angeles was difficult. This city is so incredibly fast-paced, and the industry I’m trying to break into is a step above that. The course that I’m studying is incredibly intense, and it’s difficult to find a healthy balance in life with so much happening around me. But I know I’m in a transitional period in my life. I knew what I was getting myself into when I applied for a Master’s course, so I can’t complain.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m currently an Editing Fellow at The American Film Institute with the aspiration of working as an editor in the industry here in Los Angeles. I have been editing short films for over ten years of my life, from before high school all the way to my postgraduate studies here at AFI. Several of the films I have edited have been featured at film festivals around the world, taking home several awards.
The first year at AFI has allowed me to work on three more short ‘Cycle’ films, and in the second year, I will be given the opportunity to complete a thesis project. This course has definitely allowed me to further hone my editing skills and has given me the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry. One thing that I’ve loved working on during AFI is sound design. With a strong background in playing musical instruments and DJ-ing, I have a natural ear for sound design, and it’s one of the most enjoyable things to see a project come together through its sound. It’s definitely one of the most underrated art forms, but in the scope of film, it’s one of the most crucial.
This course also gives me the ability to work and learn other key roles of the film industry. One that I love is 1st AD-ing. Being on a film set is a marvelous experience. You’re surrounded by dozens of highly talented and motivated individuals, and you always make friends for life.
Outside of AFI, I love to work on 3D animation projects and renders, often creating digital art for myself or my friends. This is more of a hobby that I enjoy, and it also keeps me up to date with the ever-changing digital landscape. Through this pathway, I love to work on VFX for films and especially combining the two formats of live-action and 3D/2D animation to create something special. I often find myself working on short, small-budget films, whether it’s adding in gunshots or explosions or creating and rendering a fully 3D sequence.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hjm_editing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-mclean-00790b169/
