We were lucky to catch up with Travis Maxwell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Travis , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I started my editing journey as an undergraduate at Virginia State University. While there, I enrolled in a class called “Intro to Media Technology. One of our big assignments was a competition to see who could write, shoot, and edit the best film. The winner of the competition did not have to take the final exam. While I had never done any of those things before, I was up for the challenge. I wrote a script, shot it myself, but the thing I enjoyed the most was editing. Our professor taught us the basics of editing, but I learned most of it through trial and error. While editing, I noticed that I could tell the story anyway I wanted to. I also realize that I could craft actor’s performances and dictate pacing. I won the competition and did not have to take the final exam. From that point on, I was editing videos for people all over campus. With each video I edited, I gained more confidence.
Travis , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Hampton VA. I attend Bethel High school and played on the football team. I was blessed enough to continue to play football at the collegiate at Ferrum College. I was studying criminal justice in hopes of becoming a forensic scientist. After my freshman year, I realize that my passion for playing football had run out. I decided to move back home to figure out my next step. While at home, it only took be a couple of days to find what I wanted to do next. Just like most people, movies and television has always been something I enjoyed. I did some research, to see what colleges offer a film and TV program. I ended up going to Virginia State University to join their Mass Communication program. Studying there was perfect for me because I was introduced to a broad amount of media platforms. I took an Intro to Media Technology class and that when I found my love for editing. I was able to keep practicing my craft due to the fact I had opportunities to edit videos for people on campus. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Virginia State University, I was hired by VSU’s Advance Creative Services Group as an assistant editor. My mentor there told me about The American Film Institute. He told me that I should apply to the school, if I want to continue to gain knowledge about film editing. AFI accepted me in 2022. Now, I am currently finishing up my final year.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being a film editor is when the film is complete. It is such a great feeling when you get to watch all your hard work on the big screen. To see all the elements and ideas I brought to the table as an editor to help the film succeed is such a great feeling.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When applying to the American Film Institute I had to submit two videos that I edited that highlighted my narrative ability. At the time, I only had completed one video ready and the deadline to apply was quickly approaching. I knew without delay that I had to make a short film. A friend and I wrote a script in two weeks, then two weeks later we were shooting it. We shot the film in two days and the location of the shoot was about an hour and thirty minutes away from my house. The team and I would shoot from 12pm to 2am some nights. After a long day of shooting, I would have to drive that hour and thirty minutes home. I was exhausted once we finished shooting, I knew the work had just started for me because now I had to edit the film. It took me three weeks to edit my film and I was able to get in my application on time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamaxproductions/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXnsvER83y_PD3uR-1UEYw