We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yumeng “Judith” Zhu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yumeng “Judith”, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
As a film editor and also introvert, I often found myself alone in front of the computer, working with footage. When I first arrived in the U.S., the unfamiliar environment forced me to retreat into my thoughts, leading to self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I was trying to focus more on my job, and being positive and hard-working. Fortunately, my work soon received recognition from major film festivals, significantly boosting my confidence. These awards reassured me of my abilities and helped diminish my self-doubt.
I also made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone. I seized every opportunity to reach out and make new friends, which broadened my perspective and provided a support network. Connecting with others in the industry and sharing experiences made me realize that many people face similar challenges.
What’s more, I continuously encouraged myself. I reminded myself of my achievements and the skills that brought me here. This self-affirmation, combined with external recognition and social support, helped me overcome imposter syndrome and build a stronger sense of self-belief.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Yumeng “Judith” Zhu. I’m currently a freelance film editor based in Los Angeles. I graduated from AFI Conservatory with an MFA degree in Film Editing. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Media. As a dedicated entertainment industry practitioner, I have gained several years of experience and specifically honed my skills in film editing which, fortunately, happens to be where my passion dwells.
Being an editor provides me with a unique perspective to interpret and tell a story. I love exploring various creative avenues, even if they don’t lead to success eventually, just to see where they lead. I am constantly challenging myself and seeing my growth by seeking opportunities in new scenarios, ranging from short films to feature-length mini-series and big-scale TV reality shows in both China and the U.S.. The short films that I edited were nominated by Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying film festivals like Tribeca Festival, AFI Fest, and LA Shorts International Short Film Festival. I’ve also worked on several mini-series that are trending on popular platforms like Sereal+, MiniShorts and FlexTV, earning millions of views.
Through the experience, I find ways to expand my imagination on editing and thrive in fast-paced and high-pressure collaborative working environments.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey as a film editor, three qualities have been most impactful are passion, communication and attitude.
I’d like to say passion is the cornerstone of a successful career in the film industry. During my time working on the short film “Deep into the Forest”, the collective enthusiasm was palpable, driving everyone to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Luckily, it was officially selected by prestigious film festivals. As a pioneer of the mini-series shows, my dedication to exploring new narrative formats keeps me motivated. Maintaining passion fuels creativity and sustains me through challenges.
In professional settings, I always prioritize communication. Unlike school, where I only worked with only the director, in the professional world, I have worked with teams of different sizes. It’s crucial to ensure all notes and needs from different departments are accurately and promptly incorporated. Effective communication prevents misunderstanding and keeps projects on track. Developing strong interpersonal skills is essential for conveying ideas and collaborating with team members.
Lastly, attitude is key to being fully engaged and present with each. While the editing process could be daunting, especially when facing tight deadlines or creative blocks, a positive attitude always helped me navigate these challenges and stay motivated.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it’s more advantageous to be well-rounded in different skill sets in today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving film industry. This approach helps me stay versatile and adapt to the rapid changes and innovations constantly shaping the field.
One big game-changer is the rise of AI technology. By diversifying my skillset, I can leverage these new tools and stay ahead of the curve.
Then there’s the content revolution driven by the evolving tastes of younger audiences. I think the film industry keeps exploring new formats, like mini-series that I’ve been working on currently. As a trailblazing editor in this space, I’ve dived into various knowledge areas to stay adaptable and relevant. When I first started editing mini-series, I quickly realized that the narrative structure and pacing were quite different from traditional films. To bridge this gap, I invested time in learning about episodic storytelling. This helped me craft more engaging and cohesive episodes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Judith-zhu.com
- Instagram: @judith_zhu
- Linkedin: Yumeng (Judith) Zhu
Image Credits
Photo credits to Luisa Dale, Yasuko Yui, Xin Sui
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