Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Isom.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hey everyone! I am a San Diego-native filmmaker who has worked in the industry professionally for over 7 years. The funny thing is that I thought I was going to pursue a music career initially. Music was a huge part of my life growing up and it became my go-to creative outlet. I was in several bands and started fitting out my own studio in college. However, when it came time to sit down and write, the technical hurdles put a damper on my creative flow, and it felt like work. Fast forward to the last year of college when I was gifted my first camera, and everything changed. I realized that the way I best take in information is visually, and a camera was the most natural way for me to communicate to others what I’ve learned and experienced.
I graduated in 2014, and that’s when my filmmaking journey took off. I moved to Los Angeles and lived there for 3 ½ years, learning the ropes from some of the best in the industry. Being on set, in production offices, post houses, and meeting the people I met along the way all led me to the path I chose to pursue: editing. Since 2016 I have been editing professionally, starting out as an assistant editor, and now editing entire projects. While editing is my main focus, I have also spent more time directing.
In 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, I was struggling to find a satisfying creative outlet that would allow me to sharpen the skills I’ve learned in my own way. I decided to return to my first love of music. listen to, a docuseries about rising local musicians here in San Diego, was born out of this desire. The series follows artists from all different genres as they write, record, perform, and seek inspiration for their music, all while telling us about their lives and philosophies. The series is presented in a hybrid docu/music video style, featuring 2 or more original songs from each artist. It has been gaining notoriety, but most importantly, it showcasing the incredible musical talent here in San Diego. The series is my way of giving back to the music scene here. I grew up going to SOMA, The Che Café, The Epicentre (IYKYK), and so many other local venues. Supporting local music is crucial. If bands, artists, singer/songwriters, and other performers don’t have the opportunity to display their talent, whether it’s on stage or through a series like listen to, then the homegrown rockstars of tomorrow will be few and far between.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with most creative journeys, it’s not always easy. When you’re being creative, you’re vulnerable. You’re presenting a part of yourself to the public arena that you care deeply about, and it may be subject to scrutiny. Tensions can rise, friendships can wear down, and egos can get the better of us. But what really matters is that you stay true to your message and your values. Eventually, you will find the right people who understand what you’re doing and why.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My portfolio consists of branded, corporate, commercial, and music video content. I specialize in editing, but also have strong skills in directing and cinematography. I have been involved with projects for large brands like Apple, Harley Davidson, and Uber, plus a handful of San Diego brands and companies.
I would say what sets me apart is my gritty but intimate style that has been present throughout all my work. Staying consistent while growing over the years is something I’m very proud of.
What’s next?
As I get ready to wrap up the second season of listen to, I continue to learn so much about working with artists, better directing and lighting techniques, how to keep viewers engaged through strong editing, and about myself. The beauty of a creative career is it’s always exciting, and you get to leave your mark on every final product. I plan to push myself towards the bigger end goal which is editing feature films and TV series. I know there is still quite a road ahead, but I remind myself that it’s okay to stop for a moment and look back on what I’ve accomplished so far. When you do that, the finish line starts to come into focus.
Contact Info:
- Website: ianisom.com
- Instagram: @listento.official
Image Credits
Full Wave Creative
Hans Christian Terslin
