Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Raymundo Ramos.
Hi Juan Raymundo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Philippines, a place where I will always have fond memories and at the age of 13, I migrated to the United States in Los Angeles, seeking a better life and opportunities. It was a huge transition for me, as I had to navigate a new country, language, and culture.
In the beginning, I struggled to find a sense of belonging and adjust to the American way of life. In fact, after being enrolled in Middle School, I was very observant in how people communicated with one another and also noticed how different the educational system was in the States compared to the Philippines. But as time progressed, I really discovered my love for filmmaking, especially as a film editor, and realized that it was the perfect medium for me to express myself and share my unique perspective with the world, given that Los Angeles was the place I considered the perfect place to start.
My journey truly began at Providence High School in Burbank, where I had the opportunity to learn the basics and tools of filmmaking. It was there that I also honed my public speaking skills and fundamentals in film language and visual storytelling. And during my college years, I attended both Los Angeles Valley College and the New York Film Academy in Burbank. At LAVC, I took general education and a few film classes, while at NYFA, I immersed myself in their accelerated 12-week workshops, which included Digital Editing, where I had to pass two tests to become Avid Media Composer Certified. These experiences shaped my technical skills and provided me with a solid foundation in the art of editing. Continuing my education, I pursued a B.A. in Cinema and Television Arts at California State University, Northridge where I learned more about the world of film, studying theory, history, and even web design and photography, while also gaining hands-on experience in different aspects of production through various film projects.
As of now, I’m a freelance Editor/Assistant Editor and also the Operations Manager for Howling Gale Entertainment, a production company dedicated to showcasing diverse perspectives and experiences through various forms of media.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where I am today has both been smooth and not-so-smooth at the same time. It has definitely been a journey filled with numerous struggles, obstacles, and moments of doubt. But it is through these challenges that I have grown and continue to grow.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced early on was making connections in the industry. Coming from a different country, I had to start from scratch and build a network of like-minded individuals who shared my passion for filmmaking. It was a daunting task, but I persevered and attended various industry events, Facebook pages, workshops, film school, etc. Slowly but surely, I began to forge meaningful relationships with fellow filmmakers, actors, and artists especially through projects created along the way.
Another hardship I wanted to mention is something that relates to many and that’s the freelance world in filmmaking whether people are working on Union or Non-Union Projects. Finding consistent gigs and opportunities is definitely not easy and I know that a lot of filmmakers are experiencing the same, especially now that the Writers Strike is going on. There were times when I had to hustle and take on projects that might not have aligned with my artistic vision simply to gather that experience. Even though I want to become an editor full-time, I really wanted to learn about various departments in the film industry since being hands-on and on-set has been the best way for me to network and make connections, learn about the ups and downs of the industry, and really learn the whole process of filmmaking from start to finish. I knew from the start that even though editing was something I really wanted to do, being in front of the computer 24/7 is not going to be as beneficial in the long run.
Another one of the biggest obstacles I faced was the financial burden of making films. Funding projects such as “TAHANAN (Home),” “Life Line,” and “Ang Huling Adobo” was definitely difficult. Me and my team invested a significant amount of my own money and relied on the generosity of others through donations and crowdfunding to make these projects happen. It was a constant juggling act, seeking funding while trying to bring my creative visions to life. However, despite the financial strain, I remain immensely grateful for the support I received from friends, family, and even strangers who believed in my work since, without those people, we wouldn’t have had these projects made.
There were also moments along the way when I questioned whether it was all worth it. Projects that I poured my heart, soul, and resources into didn’t always come to fruition, and I’ve mentioned to my other peers as well that there were moments when I really wanted to give up. But I realized that setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey and it really taught me be resilient, persevere, and learn from all those past hardships and mistakes.
Through it all, I have come to understand that filmmaking is not just a career but a calling. It is a profound way to connect with others, share stories that matter, and spark meaningful conversations. Looking back, the struggles and hardships I experienced actually fueled my determination to continue pushing forward, to keep honing my craft, supporting others’ projects, and to create films that resonate with audiences tremendously.
So, while the road may have been far from smooth, every challenge, setback, and moment of doubt has shaped me into the filmmaker I am today. I embrace the highs and lows, knowing that they are all part of the incredible journey of bringing stories to life on the silver screen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an editor/assistant editor, I have had the privilege of working on over 40 projects, including narrative short films, feature films, documentaries, and music videos. I am known for my ability to work quickly and adapt to various styles and genres, catering to the unique vision of each director.
I think what sets me apart as an editor is my speed and adaptability. I understand the importance of capturing the director’s vision and tailoring the editing process to enhance the storytelling experience. Whether it’s a narrative film, a music video, or a documentary, I really embrace the specific style and tone to create a cohesive and engaging final product that everyone’s happy with. Another thing that sets me apart is that I always envision the finished project in my head, even before it’s logged into the editing process. Therefore, I creatively gather all my thoughts on how every project will look and sound before it actually gets created. Of course, this may be counter-intuitive to other editors, but it’s definitely worked for me.
I also have a passion for directing. I have written and directed films such as “Ang Huling Adobo,” which allowed me to showcase my creative vision from inception to completion.
My involvement on set in various departments has given me a well-rounded perspective. I have worked in sound, somewhat in grip and electric, camera department, and so on, just so I’m familiar with the entire process of creating a film from start to finish.
And when it comes to what I’m most proud of, I am most proud of the projects that have resonated with audiences and sparked meaningful conversations. A project that comes to mind is Howling Gale Entertainment’s latest Filipino feature film, “TAHANAN (Home)”, which we all wrote, shot, edited, and won “Best Feature” during the 2022 Culver City Film Festival, considering the limited time and resources, which also recently won Best Score in the Marina Del Rey Film Festival. While we created a project from start to finish that’s so special, I’m extremely happy that I got to work alongside fellow creatives that I will always consider friends for life.
But most importantly, whether it’s a powerful short film shedding light on social issues or a music video that’s very artistic and fun, I am always driven by the impact my work can have on people’s lives through the ups-and-downs. I’m also greatly inspired by the incredible talent and creativity of fellow filmmakers, driving me to constantly push boundaries and create remarkable experiences that we will forever cherish.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that I feel is most important to my success as a filmmaking is definitely finding balance, especially in the world of filmmaking.
It’s easy to get caught up in long hours and constant work, but I think that taking care of myself and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to my performance. I think that resting and recovery is just as important as working hard to achieve a certain goal, which is why I highly encourage other editors to take as many breaks in between as possible since, most of the time, we’re working long amounts of hours to finish a certain project.
I think that while film requires a lot of technical skill, it’s not all about that, but it’s also about finding the balance between technical and artistic intuition to create impactful stories.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlinggaleentertainment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowlingGaleEntertainment/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HowlingGaleEnt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howlinggaleentertainment9269
