Alumni
Digital Media Grad Hired by Disney Parks as a Video Producer and Editor
Jizelle Gutierrez was born and raised in Anaheim, California and attended nearby Cypress High School, just minutes from Disneyland. After falling in love with the process of making YouTube videos in high school, Jizelle earned an A.A. degree in Digital Media from FIDM and graduated in 2019. She then pursued her longtime dream of living in New York and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Screen Studies from Pace University, and interned at both NBC and ABC. Now back in California, Jizelle was recently hired as a Video Producer/Editor for Disney Parks. We caught up with the FIDM Graduate to learn more about her exciting journey.
What was your path to FIDM like? I originally applied as a Merchandising & Marketing major during my junior year of high school. I had a change of heart and knew I was passionate about film, so I decided to switch my major to Digital Media.
How did you become interested in Digital Media? I started making YouTube videos in high school and fell in love with the process of making videos from start to finish. I also really love movies and TV shows and knew I wanted to be a part of the industry in some way.
Tell us about moving to New York after graduation: I moved to New York when I transferred to Pace University to complete my Bachelor’s degree. I’ve always wanted to live in New York, and it was a dream to live in a city that has inspired me for so long. However, I spent the entire quarantine alone in New York. Being so far away from home during a scary time was hard, but I was able to make the most of it through online classes and interning remotely for NBC. Right before I decided to move back home to California, I was offered another remote internship at ABC through Disney which was a dream come true!
You were recently hired by Disney Parks for a full-time position. Can you tell us about it? I am about to start my position as a Video Producer/Editor for Disney Parks. I will be creating promotional videos about the beloved Disney rides throughout the theme parks for the Disney World and Disneyland apps.
What are you most looking forward to? I’m so excited about this role because I grew up 10 minutes away from Disneyland. It has always been a huge part of my life, and I love all the Disney characters and rides so much. It’s an honor to be a part of such a creative and special team. Being a part of the magic in some way is very rewarding.
How did FIDM help prepare you for your career? My time at FIDM really shaped me into the editor that I am today. I learned so much about post production to the point where I feel confident in my craft. Having a solid portfolio after graduation because of all the projects I worked on at FIDM was the kickstarter to my career. The Digital Media faculty has guided me throughout my internships even after my graduation and I’m truly grateful for the experience I had.
Any favorite FIDM lessons or memories? I have so many memories with my Digital Media classmates. We all supported one another through every project and every class. We were all very passionate about what we wanted to do within the industry, and we all genuinely want the best for each other. Seeing my Digital Media classmates almost every day was the highlight of my entire time at FIDM, and I miss them dearly!
What are your ultimate career goals? Though I may not have a straight path of what I want to do in the future, I do see myself in post production in some capacity. Whether I’m editing for film, TV, or digital platforms, I just know I will have the time of my life if I just keep doing what I love to do. Also, I would love to grow my career within Disney because my experience working with ABC has truly been so amazing, and I love it here!
Anything else you'd like to share? I would not be where I am today without the support of my parents. I’m truly grateful for my parents’ support throughout my time at FIDM and the rest of my education and career. My family and friends are my rock, and I couldn’t do any of this without them.
Categories: Digital Media Alumni
