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Featured Member:
David Lazaruk
DAVID LAZARUK | ASSISTANT EDITOR
“Hope for the best and plan for the worst.”
-David Lazaruk
David on X @DavidLazaruk1
How many years have you spent studying and/or working in the Vancouver Post Production industry?
I spent four years studying at both VFS and BCIT. I’m just now finishing up my first year working in the industry.
What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on, and why?
So far my favourite project has been Lowlifes which is still in the post process. The project itself was a seriously enjoyable movie to watch, plus I was given my first opportunity to work on temp sound design – which for a horror movie was just all kinds of insane fun.
Where/How did you get your start in the community?
As it happens my start in the community was through the VPA. I was e-introduced to Don Thompson who was kind enough to grant me an information interview. Following that chat he was gracious enough to e-introduce me to several post production coordinators, which was how I received my first job offer.
What do you see as the biggest asset to your sector, relative to the industry in Vancouver?
I think the greatest asset to our sector, relative to the industry in Vancouver is a collaborative mindset. It’s a real pleasure to work in post production with such a welcoming and supportive community.
What do you see as the biggest hurdle for your sector, relative to the industry in Vancouver?
I think one of the biggest hurdles for our sector relative to the industry in Vancouver in the next five to ten years is going to be finding people who want to work in post production as a career. More students are interested in learning editing for applications in social media and influencing. This may result in more projects than we have bodies to work on.
What support does the Vancouver post community need most now?
I’m still finding my way in the post community and as such I don’t feel very confident in speaking for what the we need most right now. What I can say from my own personal experience was that the effects of the two strikes this last year were difficult (to put it mildly) , and so now with luck we can all hopefully get back to a more regular work schedule.
Why did you join the VPA?
I joined the VPA in order to meet and network with individuals in the post production industry. I wanted to not only expand my career network but also my social circle and meet people with similar
interests and goals.
Who was/is your mentor/inspiration/idol?
My mentor would be Ken Brown from Edmonton. He taught me more about storytelling technique and how to be a good person than I could ever effectively summarize.
Inspiration/Idol: Thelma Schoonmaker and Michael Kahn. Even before I was able to appreciate film editing those two were responsible for cutting together some of most influential and entertaining movies of my childhood.
If you could have worked on any series/film ever created, which one would it be, and why?
James Bond.
My dad introduced me to the franchise when I was a kid and my love for that series has never gone away. To work on one of those movies would be the living definition of a dream come true.
In one sentence, what advice do you wish someone had given you five years ago, relative to your career today?
Start sooner.
What is your favourite pastime outside of work?
Watching movies, reading books and listening to music.