Meet Azita Ayagh | Video Editor & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Azita Ayagh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Azita, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been a risk taker. I have fear, like everyone else. But I know in my heart that if I don’t take risks, I will stay in the same place forever. I believe that growth comes through taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. It is not easy, but change is never easy. To me, it’s really about your mindset. Your fear is there to protect you but sometimes you have to ask it to take a seat next to you, thank it for trying to protect you, and let it know that you are the one in control! I have taken several risks in my career and have not always followed the traditional route. I knew at a young age that I never wanted to be a part of the corporate world and that I wanted to use my creativity in my career. I also knew that I wanted to work as a freelancer so that I could have more freedom with my schedule, my location, and the projects that I work on. This is what inspires me and keeps me going in my career. I love meeting new people, traveling to new places, and expanding my creativity in any way that I can.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career as a video editor started after I graduated from Georgia State University in 1998. I started out as an assistant editor with a small post house in Atlanta. It was here that I really learned what I needed to know to eventually become an editor.
Like I mentioned earlier, I am all about taking risks. In 2001, I moved to NYC a few months after 9/11 with $75 in my bank account! It was an interesting time to move to NYC because of the tragedy that occurred and affected so many people and their loved ones. But the city was welcoming and I am so thankful that I moved there during this time in my life. It was here that my career really took off. After a short while at a post house where I was hired as an assistant editor, I knew that I was ready to move on in my career. So I took another risk, quit my job as an assistant, and decided to became a freelance editor. Thanks to a good friend who referred me, I got a job with MTV in 2002. MTV and VH1 kept me very busy for several years. I mostly worked in their news and docs department on shows such as True Life, MADE, Diary, I Love the 80’s and I Love the 90’s. I met so many people in NY at this time that I am still connected to today. This group of young Gen-Xers that ran MTV and VH1 in those days became like family.
In 2005, I moved back home to Atlanta and continued my freelance career. I loved working in the city that I grew up in with the very small film and television community that existed at that time. It felt good to be a part of this creative force of talented editors and film makers. At that time, Turner was the company that kept most of us employed. Nothing like the Atlanta we know today that has been taken over by Hollywood and has become an ever expanding film community!
In 2015, I decided to give Los Angeles a try! I was able to expand my client list and work on some great projects. Now I go back and forth between Atlanta and LA.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spot in Atlanta is on the Beltline in the Old Fourth Ward. I always take any friends who are visiting to this area. It’s fun to ride bikes or scooters on the Beltline and through Piedmont Park. I love to visit Ponce City Market for some shopping and for a Persian Koobideh sandwich from Bibi Eatery. And it’s always fun to go to Cabbagetown to see the fabulous art murals. There is always something happening on the Beltline!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my good friend and mentor, Michael Matassa. I started my editing career with him and he has always been so encouraging and inspiring. He helped me in so many ways to get my career going! So, I am forever thankful to him for that! Thanks Michael!

Website: https://www.editwithaz.com

Instagram: @Azzie_yog

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azitaayagh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azita.ayagh

Other: https://www.editorsguild.com/MemberDetail?ID=45427