Meet Cherrylita Castedio | Video Creator & Video Editor

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

Hi Cherrylita, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is self discipline, and determination. Of course I have had help doing things, but the main source of fuel is myself. In order to be good at something you have to practice and you have to continue to do it. Everything is trial and error. There is no reward without some type of risk; you will have to gamble something, whether it’s something physical or mentally. I gamble on myself, yes that is a thing. You only go as far as you allow yourself to. When it comes down to it you are your own worse enemy. For myself, I want to do a lot of things, so I try different things and I see what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments from there. Self discipline is not an easy thing, but it’s important to have if you really want to become successful and become good at what you do. There are days when I want to do nothing at all and feel like giving up, and it’s okay to have days like that and I think it’s important to note that not every single day is going to be a productive one or go as you plan, but it becomes a “problem” when you become content with that, when it becomes a cycle, and that is one example of when self discipline comes into play. To me, self discipline is being able to do things without having someone constantly telling/reminding you to do so, especially if it’s something that you want to do. It is a will power, and not everyone posses that, realistically. It really is easy to get side tracked, temptation is everywhere but it’s up to yourself to stay focused. What really matters? That’s the real question. What do you want? Do you even want it BAD enough? I would not say I’ve fully mastered being self disciplined but it is a main factor of me being able to accomplish a lot, and learn a lot, errors and all. If you really want to do something you will figure it out, you will not complain, you will not be lazy, or be constantly told/reminded to do something, you are not entitled to anything. I would say self discipline is one thing that separates a lot of people from each other.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Originally, video editing was just something to do, but as time went on I developed a proficiency in it and not before long I started doing video editing/videography for other people and that lead into other avenues such as cinematography and design. As a result of doing more and more, I realized I can actually do something with this skill and started charging for my services. Thus, the business began. One of the main things that I have learned along my way is that creating for other people can be fun, but it is important to create for yourself. When you create for yourself there are no restrictions. There are no “requests” or “notes” that you must keep in mind. Creating for yourself is a different type of freedom. While I do enjoy being able to help others with their visions, I recently started a “brainchild” called Master. Currently, the Master “brainchildren” are comprised of: Master Cards, Master Lighters and Master Beats. “Master” comes from me also calling myself Master Cherrylita, so Cherrylita “Master Cherrylita” Castedio. When it comes to Master I felt like I could do a lot with that name, there were ways I could play with it. This lead into the development of “Master Cards” (end of 2019). Master Cards were a way of a/b testing. I wanted to see how people would react to certain things before fully pursing them. Master Cards were a personalized postcard that I made with a sticker, pin, and a personal message included. My purpose of this was to target different people in different regions, more so my friends out of state. I wanted to send them something, so I did. The feedback on this was more than I expected (in a good way) and that is when I knew I had people’s attention, (whether it was knowingly or unknowingly). This meant: 1) I could develop something that people would be interested in (or nosey enough to want to know more about what I was doing) and 2) I can make something/stuff that is memorable using my own skills without having to outsource for a lot. When I realized this, I wanted to make something with my brand on it, but this time make money. I did not want to do just shirts or stickers because that was way too common at the moment, so I had to think. Lighters. What made me think of lighters? I am not sure it sort of just happened, but it made sense, especially for Atlanta. This lead into my idea of Master Lighters (2020, earlier this year). “Flick it. Light it. Master it. Even YOU are a master. A master of your own life. Master yourself.” “”You got a lighter?” Now you do. Master it.”” (My slogans for Master Lighters). Along with releasing Master Lighters I also dropped my version of Forbes magazine 30 Under 30 with it. I did not want to just put my lighters out, I had to deliver it better. So, I thought of creating a Forbes magazine special issue and inside the magazine my lighters are displayed. Along with the magazine I made a mini video commercial to have more of a visual. I made and designed everything myself, (except the actual production of the lighters and the pictures of myself which I had taken at Cam Kirks Studio by Kahdria Davidson). After Master Lighters, I was dry for a bit and then created Master Beats, (2020, started in June released in August) my most recent Master creation. These are original beats (along with a visual animation, which is what I call animated cover art) that I made from loops. I feel the most accomplished by these three things because not only are they something that I made myself, really by myself, but being able to see an idea that you had become tangible is a real accomplishment, even if the idea does not turn out as planned. Another crucial lesson is when the saying, “less is more” finally clicked to me. This realization happened within the last year, but before I made the Master Cards. Less really is more and it took me a while to understand that. With video editing I use to do a lot of different things within my edits, and I think that was because I wanted to fit everything in. Now, I still do many things within my edits, but it is more organized now, more purposeful. With me realizing that for editing translated into design as well (along with life). Learning this was an insanely long trial and error process, but that is okay because it is about growth. My style of editing and how I edit is one of the main things I would definitely say sets me apart from others. With editing I do not just put clips together back to back. I really think about the cut. I think about each transition and what makes the most sense. Creatively, I do what I feel. I always make sure to honor my clients wishes, but with any type of artist or business or service that you pay for, you are paying for your need but you are also paying for that person’s/company’s style. My overall style is experimental. Over the years, I have learned a lot through trial and error, and finally understanding “less is more”, has been my biggest influence. My (editing) style/outlook makes me different, and I think that is apparent in my website and in a vast majority of my creations.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since covid-19 is currently around, a lot of places have changed, however, if that were not the case I would take that person to certain places based on their taste and interests. Every weekend, (considering the weekend starts on a Friday) there’s usually some sort of event happening, especially at night. Edgewood is always an interesting place, take that as you will. Edgewood is filled with different spots such as The Joystick Game Bar, The Sound Table, and the small Jamaican Restaurant on the other end of the street (I cannot remember the name). The @ thearlyshow (on Instagram) is an enjoyable music showcase where a lot of independent musicians often perform. It is usually a bi weekly night event at different locations, I would say check the Instagram page for a flyer. Lil Five Points is a popular area. I would take a person here to walk around and for them to see a few things, maybe even go to one of the record stores. The World of Coca Cola is a fun place. I haven’t been there in a while but when I did it was a fun experience and tasting different types of sodas is fun. The Botanical Gardens is a nice place. I highly suggest going there on a sunny or partly cloudy day, not when it’s gloomy or raining. Top Golf is fun, it’s slightly pricy but if you’re with the right people it’ll be fun. Centennial Park, which is downtown, is a popular park to walk around, if you can manage to find a “free” or inexpensive parking space that is. I personally like Piedmont Park a bit more. It’s more spacious. It’s literally huge, and there are also more trees. If you’re interested in different types of henna I suggest checking out @ Hennabylavenderbaby (on Instagram) at Airbrush Works & Inkworks Tattoo shop, which is near Edgewood. I like her because I never thought about henna being able to go beyond the usual patterns that you often see, and she does really good detailed work. Almost any design can be in henna and it’s also a great substitution if you’re not quite ready for a tattoo. I have gotten kid Goku eating meat on my thigh, Greed’s ouroboros (from Fullmetal Alchemist) on my hand and many more; I suggest checking her out. Also, considering it’s Atlanta the strip club is allegedly not a place to miss.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my friends, I can honestly say I do know some good people. I’m cared for and I can’t even downplay that. Shoutout to my father as welI, if I ever need anything he will never turn me down. That’s a person that I can always count on. He will always come through. I would also like to shoutout anyone who has ever given me a chance. Thank you. I appreciate the people who are in my life. I am appreciative of the opportunities that I have been given.

Website: https://www.cherrylitacastedio.com/master
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choiiseoseo/
Other: Email: castediocompositions@gmail.com

Image Credits
Cherrylita Castedio, Customers of Master Lighters, Alexandria Jade