You might find inspiration in unexpected places.
That’s why ELM Video Editor Michael Tan is always looking. He spots video editing everywhere he turns, from music videos, to TikTok, movies, and documentaries. He loves studying different video editing styles to inform his own work.
He likes to save and pin examples of unique work, pushing himself to be creative in his own work — experimenting with cuts, transitions, and other techniques to elevate every project he completes for ELM.
The creative risks paid off in a recent production for Visit Baltimore. After completing a draft of the project, Michael decided to spice it up by adding graphics to share Visit Baltimore’s message in a bold, creative way. They loved the final product, and so do we! As a video production company in Baltimore, we were thrilled to see this project be successful.
“It felt so rewarding in the end to have (Visit Baltimore) receive it well and to be able to see the creative risk,” Michael said.
Another favorite project he worked on was a concert documentary series for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He told the stories of several visiting conductors, from their school. It brought him back to his own musical background. Michael was trained professionally in classical music and violin/viola at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He credited Editor Rebecca McCutcheon’s mentorship to the success of the project, which, he said, “rekindled my love of art.”
“It was such a great project to be a part of, especially in my first few months in the company,” Michael said. “It helped me work on having a keen eye on my edits for quality, and there are so many lessons that I’m able to incorporate in my editing work to this day.”
From music to his mentors, Michael has no shortage of inspiration. He is careful to minimize distractions in his working environment, to hone his creative focus. If he comes across a creative roadblock, he turns to his ELM teammates. He says brainstorming with other people is the best way to stay inspired.
“Being able to get a second opinion and see things in a different lens definitely helps change my perspective when I hit those creative roadblocks,” Michael said.
Of course, he never stops looking for ways to be inspired. From conversations with friends, to TikTok videos, music, and mentorship from his colleagues, Michael isn’t afraid to follow his inspiration wherever it leads.
His advice for fellow creatives? He says: “Look for inspiration everywhere, reach out to your team members if you are having a hard time being inspired, and see things from a different lens so that you can get those creative gears moving.”
