- Get Educated, Get Connected, Get to Work.
Featured Member: Jason Hamill
Jason Hamill | Editor / Assistant Editor
How many years have you spent studying and/or working in the Vancouver Post Production industry?
6 years
What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on, and why?
Earlier this year I cut a Horror film called Lowlifes, it would be the first feature film I cut. It wasn’t the credit that made this once special though, it was that I got to work with some of my best friends on their first feature as well. There’s something to be said about spending an afternoon during directors cut re-cutting scenes to old fall out boy songs (that never saw the light of day) just because we thought it was funny.
Where/how did you get your start in the community?
As a second assistant editor at Front Street Pictures; syncing dailies for the illustrious Mauri Bernstein.
What do you see as the biggest asset to your sector, relative to the industry in Vancouver?
Being able to connected with others on a human level, and having conversations that don’t involve the word “Avid”. I owe what little success I may have to spending time building relationships with people around me and getting to know them on a personal level.
What do you see as the biggest hurdle for your sector, relative to the industry in Vancouver?
I don’t think I’m saying anything new but Vancouver is an expensive place and unfortunately “artistic integrity” doesn’t pay the bills. It can be hard to find time for projects that invigorate your passion for films when you’re just trying to keep a roof over your head. I think we all sometimes need a reminder of why we chose this path.
“I can’t believe I ate the whole thing”
insta: @mustard_wrangler
Why did you join the VPA?
So I could drink with Gary Lam once a year at the Christmas party.
What support does the Vancouver post community need most now?
Higher music budgets.
Who was/is your mentor/inspiration/idol?
Tibor Takacs, he briefly taught at VFS when i wasn studying there and we hit it off because of a mutual love of meatball subs and Husker Du. in 2018 he was directing a movie and told the post supervisor to give me a job – this was at a time when I was struggling to get interviews for entry level post jobs. So without him i don’t know if I would even be in the industry
But I’d also like to mention Greg Ng for his good company and encouraging words…. especially after a couple of beers.
If you could have worked on any series/film ever created, which one would it be, and why?
Harold and Maude – because of that Cat Stevens soundtrack.
In one sentence, what advice do you wish someone had given you five years ago, relative to your career today?
See a therapist.
What is your favourite pastime outside of work?
Riding my bike and making dumb tough guy music.