Rising Stars: Meet Federico Velez of Playa Vista

Today we’d like to introduce you to Federico Velez

Hi Federico, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Medellín, Colombia, where I developed a love for video and photography at a very young age, fueled by my passion for movies. During middle and high school, I created several YouTube channels, experimenting with content and learning how to engage an audience. Those early projects gave me hands-on experience and sparked a deep interest in video editing. I also spent a lot of time helping friends and my school with editing and visual projects, which became a creative outlet and helped me sharpen my craft.

After high school, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in media arts and film production. Starting college in a city like LA meant I had to figure out how to become financially independent pretty quickly. That’s when I decided to start my own online video editing business. Within months, it took off, and I found myself managing hundreds of clients from all over the world, working on everything from social media content to larger creative projects. Editing professionally taught me so much, but as time went on, I found myself increasingly drawn to being behind the camera.

I started using my camera to create content for Instagram—highly polished videos, spec ads, and personal projects. I was hustling nonstop, collaborating with talented people and trying to learn as much as I could. One of my videos, a recap I shot and edited for rapper Cordae at one of his concerts, helped me gain a lot of attention. That project opened the door to working with more artists and building connections in the industry.

From there, I dove into networking, reaching out to directors, cinematographers, and producers whose work I admired. I started collaborating with music video directors and production companies, working on larger productions while soaking up everything I could from the creative professionals around me. Over the last year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of being the cinematographer for several short films. Those projects have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my career, allowing me to hone my craft, and bring stories to life visually.

Alongside my work in cinematography, I’ve also become really fascinated by the possibilities of AI in the creative process. I’ve started integrating AI into my projects, including creating entire films that blend AI with traditional filmmaking. One of these films is set to premiere at an AI film festival this spring, and I’m already working on another. Exploring how AI is shaping the future of media has been an exciting challenge, and I think it’s just the beginning of a huge shift in the industry.

Looking back, everything I’ve done—from YouTube experiments to big productions—has felt like a step forward in this journey. I’m really excited to keep pushing myself, learning, and seeing where this path takes me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been easy—it’s been lonely at times. To get where I am now, I’ve had to sacrifice a big part of my social life and focus entirely on work. That kind of dedication can feel isolating, especially when every decision is entirely on you. Knowing that my future was completely in my hands was a lot of pressure to handle.

One of the biggest things has been not owning a car, which, in a city like LA, can feel almost impossible. I’ve had to rely on public transportation to get everywhere, from work commitments to networking events. It’s been challenging, but it’s also taught me resilience and how to make things work, even when the odds aren’t in my favor.

I have dealt with lots of rejection, and there were definitely moments when everything was far too overwhelming—when I questioned why I was working so hard or if any of it would lead to anything. But through it all, I’ve learned to keep moving forward, even when things felt uncertain. Persistence is key.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s hard to label myself into just one category because my work spans several areas of filmmaking and content creation. For over four years, I’ve been a professional video editor, working with hundreds of clients worldwide. I’ve specialized in promotional and social media content, collaborating with music artists, cutting trailers for network films, and editing high-budget documentaries. This experience has given me a deep understanding of storytelling across different formats and audiences.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve expanded my role as a videographer and cinematographer, shooting highly-produced short films and creating high-end promotional content for businesses and brands. I’ve worked with high-profile clients like rapper Cordae, Empire Records, and Dusse, and have contributed to projects for the BET Awards and Sail GP. Additionally, I’ve been involved in producing content for artists with large social media followings, which has been an incredible way to merge creative storytelling with the fast-paced world of digital media.

Additionally, and most interestingly, over the past year, I have deeply delved into the implications of AI within the media industry. Exploring how AI can reshape creative workflows and significantly cut costs for all kinds of productions has been a game-changer. I’m currently producing two fully AI-generated films that will debut at a festival this spring. This exploration has allowed me to combine innovation with storytelling while working with technologies that I believe will become a predominant element in the future of our industry.

What sets me apart is my ability to adapt to different roles within a project, whether it’s editing, shooting, or even developing ideas from the ground up. One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to consistently grow and evolve. Whether it’s building a thriving global editing business while in college or taking on bigger and more creative roles in production, I’ve stayed committed to learning and refining my craft. This versatility, combined with a passion for storytelling, allows me to bring something unique to every project I take on.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I wasn’t too impacted by COVID-19 personally, as it occurred during my last year of high school when I wasn’t actively working yet. However, it definitely shifted the way people approach work, and I’ve seen those changes firsthand in my career. A lot of the work I do, especially editing, is remote, and the pandemic really highlighted how simple and efficient it can be to collaborate online. It’s fascinating to see how quickly remote workflows became the norm and how they’ve shaped the creative industry moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.federicovelez.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fedevelz/