AP 1265: Where Are They Now? Joaquin Elizondo

AP 1265: Where Are They Now? Joaquin Elizondo

Pat Flynn: What's up everybody? Pat Flynn here and welcome to episode 1265 of AskPat 2.0. You're listening to another Where Are They Now? episode. Y'all love these episodes. I love to record them because we get to sit and chat with somebody who's been here on the show before, who's been coached, who's had some challenges and have helped them through that.

We kind of ask questions, have answers, and figure out a plan of action. And then we bring them back. Like today, we're bringing back Joaquin Elizondo from HollywoodEditingMentor.com. He started this business during the pandemic and it's sort of taken off, but he is a really popular TV and film editor and still wants to keep that position.

So managing time is really, really important. We talk a little bit about that today, but we also talk about some new developments since the last time I was here. We get you caught up right in the beginning. And then we dive in because he's got a lot of great things going on and even more plans in the future.

So we're gonna see how this pans out. Here he is Joaquin Elizondo from HollywoodEditingMentor.com. He's so cool. He's awesome.

Pat Flynn: Joaquin, welcome back to AskPat now for, I think it's the third time you're on kind of keeping us up on your journey. How are you doing?

Joaquin Elizondo: I'm doing great, pat. It's great to see you and, and thanks again for having me.

It's great to be back here. Yeah, it is the third time on the show.

Pat Flynn: Of course, man. And, and hopefully, you know, we'll have some more opportunity in the future to kind of keep track of you and how are you doing. And that's what I wanna ask, like how things been going. And for everybody, you know, who maybe didn't catch the previous episode, I know.

You were kind of trying to balance the one-on-one mentorship type stuff with some other things, and it was just like, you know, you reached a new level, but new level new devils and there's like new problems. So can you remind people for maybe those who weren't there last time, where you were at, then maybe what you remember from that conversation and then what happened since?

Joaquin Elizondo: Yeah, man, A lot has happened in this year and, well, let's take it back to the last time I was on the show. I was trying to just kind of figure out how I guess price and, and, and market my one-on-one mentorship in if that was the right route to go. Because I am a working editor, I do work full-time as a, a film and TV editor, so my time is very limited.

I can only dedicate so much time to this community. I mean, it gets to a point where I have to kind of stop and focus on my day job, let's call it, you know, I just don't have time for say, one-on-one mentorship. So I had the idea of creating, obviously, digital courses. Which it seems like that's the, what would work best for me at that time.

I, I think I mentioned it, I was thinking about creating a digital course that would teach people how to, I called it Break Into Scripted. So basically anyone that wanted to work in Hollywood, say films and scripted TV shows work at, in the post-production department is to create a course that shows you how to achieve that, how to navigate the waters.

It kind of teaches more of the soft skills of breaking into the industry. And so at that time, I, I had the idea and I went ahead with. The thing is though, cuz I was again busy with the, actually still, I'm still cutting the show and so I was quite busy and I decided to do more of a kind of group coaching course.

Pat Flynn: Like a cohort kind of style.

Joaquin Elizondo: Yes. With the idea that I just wanted to go for it. I didn't want to think too much about it. I just wanted, I feel like that's how it work. I just kinda, I, instead of kind of waiting around to do things, I just go for it and I figure out later. I love it. And so I decided to just go for it.

And I had this kind of group coaching course with knowing that eventually after I concluded that course, I would use that material to create then the digital course. And so it was a success. I mean, the course sold out. I had expected maybe like 10, maybe 10 people. It was 20 people signed up and I had to close it down.

And what I realized was that, okay, this is something that people need. They, they want. And, and so it, I think it validated that idea, but also just in general, my community. And so at this point actually I'm going, I'm about to do the next round of this course. But of course I am now and still as a group live virtual group course.

And I still want to do obviously this digital, the digital course where I just kind of step aside because of, of my day job, right? It's so demanding that I can't do these, you know, live one-on-one calls. So, so this year has, what has shown me though is that it, for me, it was very important to validate, I guess just this idea of Hollywood Editing Mentor.

And you know, even now when I go to networking events or I'm on the community, I get so many just beautiful, nice messages from people and saying how much this has helped them, whether it has been through my podcast or the articles that are right through this course, and the results are there. I have testimonials.

It's not like it's, there's evidence now that this course has helped people achieve their goal of, say, working in film and scripted tv, so it works. Yeah, right. So now I'm trying to decide, or trying to figure out what to do next in the sense that I have all these, you know, ideas and things that I've proven that work, and now it's like, how do I put this all into play and still kind of evolve this community and help grow it and in the right direction and, and kind of sit down and be more focused about.

Besides just being kind of maybe a scattered brain and, and you know, again, I, I'm very busy, so it's hard for me to sit down and just focus on this stuff, but I know that it's there and I know people, it provides results. It works. So now I'm trying to decide, you know, what to do next.

Pat Flynn: That's so good, man.

Just, first of all, congratulations to you on putting yourself out there, validating that, you know, doing it in a group style too, you can get more input and, and affect more lives at the same time. I know that you have this busy Hollywood job and, and, and it definitely, like last time feels like you don't have any plans on leaving that.

So the challenge is like, How do we fit all this other stuff in there? Because, you know, you could also just work, but you have this drive to help the community and, and have already seen the impact of it. If not now have seen it even more because of, of what you just did. So there's like, tell me if I'm wrong, but is there like this push pull between like, oh, like I've, I've proven that I can help people, I need to do it more, but I also love this thing over here, and it's like 24 hours in the day only. Like, are you feeling that kind of tension?

Joaquin Elizondo: Absolutely. Because it's, that's the thing. I, I love both of my jobs, let's say.

I mean, it's, it's you know, I love editing it, it, I wouldn't wanna do anything else and I love helping out people through this community. And like I said, it's you know, it's that feeling when you get, when someone reaches out to you in person or email or any message that says, Hey, you know what? You helped me achieve my dreams.

And so that to me is the motivation, obviously, to help people out. And you know, I I, this year it got really busy. Like I got married, hey, you know, I went on a honeymoon. And, and you know, I had this job and this community did this course. At one point I was feeling the, I felt I was gonna burn out and I said it to myself, I need to stop.

I need to pick, I obviously need to pick one route and stick with it for now and I'll figure it out later. And so yes, it, it's just a lot. I wanna do everything. Cause I literally, I enjoy it. I love it. So it's just finding the, how to kind of, you know, find the time Right. For each thing.

Pat Flynn: Right. Yeah. I think that resonates with, I mean, it resonates with me.

I'm sure it resonates with everybody else out there who feels the same thing. And, you know, I love what you said earlier about, you know, it was kind of scatterbrained, but you, you have to kind of just go in at first like that you can't plan every single thing that's gonna happen. And I'm, I'm just so grateful that you did that.

You have to, you have to scatter to figure out what matters. I'm gonna coin that actually, and, and now you can pick from the things that you do love and then you can decide how you want to move forward. And it sounds like now that you're going through like a second round, one more time, maybe just to like refine the information a little bit, get a little bit more systematic with it.

I mean, you can do it better and more efficiently the second time than the first time. So already that's happening, but eventually it sounds like you definitely want to get in into an automated place, at least with the information part of it. And so when are you thinking that might happen or what, what might be in your head stopping you from doing that you think?

Joaquin Elizondo: Well, I, I'm gonna do the course once again this coming January. And so I plan to then, you know, put out this digital course. I'm gonna say probably in the, the spring, maybe the. Because I am gonna have a break right now from my job. I'm gonna finish this, this, this, oh, nice stream project. It will actually have time and, and to sit down and, and focus on, on the community and this course.

Oh, there you go. And so when, then I move on to the next project, then hopefully by that time then half of that digital course where I, you know, doesn't require me to be there, you know, one-on-one, even though I love it and it's this group course. It's so fun. That's the thing. It's like a lot of people, or you know, all these mentees, I mean, it's, they learn.

But, and we work hard and, and, but we have fun. Mm-hmm. , that's the thing. It's just, it's, I really, really enjoy it. And so I don't know if I want to completely let go of that, but it's, it will be more when, I guess when I'm, I'm between projects right? That I'll do the live session, but this digital course, you know, will kind of sit there, you know, when I'm, I'm busy.

Pat Flynn: Right. It's sort of like a thread that sort of is always gonna be there and then when you want and when you can you can just do this additional part to it if you want to do it. And what's cool about having both a digital course and the sort of cohort based style is, you know, you can, the like, in the way that you, you, you pitch it and the way that you sell it, I mean, it doesn't sound like you're gonna have any problems with that, but it's like, for people who don't have the time to go to sessions with you and, you know, they're all so busy, it's like, hey, you can do it on your own.

I've created all the information. This system works. Here are people who've done it. You have testimonials like here it is, like this is, you know, ready. But then there's gonna be people who will want more hands-on who they know, and I know this about me. It's like I can't just take a course on its own. I need some help.

I need some accountability. I need some, like other people to go on with me. And now you can actually serve more people this way. And there's also crossover. Some people will buy the DIY and then just kind of sit on it and then you can come back to them and say like, Hey, have you, have you done it yet?

Oh nah. You know, I need a little bit more help. Cool. Well we're doing this live thing now for the next four weeks or whatever. You should come join and I'll just like subtract the price that you already paid and that could be cool too. So it's nice cuz you'll have options now. And I love that you are utilizing the extra time you have right now, it almost kind of gets you in geared to get it all done before you go back. And is that a seasonal thing? Like is that predictable every year? Like this time of year is typically when things slow down or is it really kind of more random?

Joaquin Elizondo: It's very random. For example, this project that I'm on was supposed to end, I think like in September and then it pushed to October and now it's pushing into like January, right.

Yeah. So I never know. But best thing, it's like when, when I realized, say for example, when I was ending this project, kind of had an idea of when it was gonna end I said, all right, I'm gonna start promoting this next course, and I'm just gonna go for it. Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And move with it because it's sad, you know?

And I don't know how much free time will I have really? What if the next one comes around like, you know the, you know, mid-February or you never know. I can't think about it too much.

Pat Flynn: Right. Right. Like, it's interesting, you can actually use that to your advantage because you are so open with your audience already about how it works behind the scenes, and you can just be like, Hey guys, like I'm on this project.

And you know, it's, it's got, it got extended. Like this is just how it works. But as soon as this ends, like I promise we're gonna do another round of people in my course. And so just stay tuned whenever it comes, you know, getting quick because y'all have been asking for it. And then people are gonna like check every day to see if you're, you finished and you know, we'll get that update.

Maybe they subscribe to a newsletter or something from you. I donn't know. But you could use that to your advantage, you know? Because. I was hoping that it was seasonal so that you can kind of plan and say, okay, next winter you can build the next thing or, or whatever. But it doesn't sound like that, that that's the case.

A digital course will take some time to, you know, build out and, and stuff. So are you reserving some when the next, next project finishes? Like that's when that's gonna be created, do you think?

Joaquin Elizondo: Well, I think, and I'm gonna use this time right now where I'm doing the group course. I guess for me it's like I, it's motivation to kind of maybe say, cuz it'll be a weekend thing and maybe during the week put it together. As I'm creating these modules, say for example, that that Saturday's class, right. I'm trying to combine it so that I just kind of, it motivates me kind of the way I work and, and I feel like I'm in it, I'm in the zone. And just use that time to do it. Because again, maybe that, that you know, that next show, that next project comes around, you know, sooner than expected and true.

Yeah. Don't wanna necessarily wait, so too much. You know.

Pat Flynn: That's true. Actually, you said something really smart there, which is like this next group you can actually, that maybe there's a way to actually, like, how are you delivering that content? Is it like, Hey, come watch me teach you for two hours and then go do the thing?

Or are you, could you pre-record a video? Like the lesson that comes out on, again, I'm just saying like, okay, on Saturday, like, Hey, the new lesson's up, go watch. And on Sunday we chat about it. And then that way, like after this cohort is over, that video is already filmed. It's whole, it's complete even for people who don't come in as a group later, like, is that, like, I'm just kind of jamming with you right now, but.

Joaquin Elizondo: No, no, that's a, that's a very good idea. And you know, cuz right now the way I do it is, well, in this next course it'll be on Saturday. So we meet, you know, for like an hour and a half meet, have a group session that, that I do over Zoom.

Yeah. And I include like, say like breakout rooms for them to like practice, like their networking and to know each other. Perfect. And then I give 'em exercises to do, you know, during the week. And I make myself available through a private Slack channel. But I like your idea though of like, say, creating module, there's course take during the week and then have more of a discussion about it and then use that later, right. That material later down the line. I mean that's certainly a way I did not, had not thought of that.

Pat Flynn: Yeah. It's just, it's just a thought. I mean, we kind of have a system now inside of our All Access pass.

It's similar. It's like you go watch the thing in our accelerator, but then we come together and talk about it and that a person can watch it on Monday or Tuesday, or maybe they're busy and they catch it on Friday or something, and, but like, watch it before we meet together here. And then that thing is now available in the future for people to watch it at any time.

They just don't have the same breakout rooms and stuff because it's, it's diy. So anyway, just, just a thought for you to, to help you maximize that time and have it available sooner. Perhaps this is random. Can I ask you what you're editing right now in your job? Like what projects you're working on or is that like secret?

I'm just curious.

Joaquin Elizondo: Like, no, I can talk about it cuz it is out there. But I'm, I'm editing this limited series for Netflix called Griselda. Griselda. And it's Stars. Yeah, it's stars Sophia Vergara. It's not out yet. Brand new dude.

Pat Flynn: That's so cool, man. That's so cool. And the way you got into doing all this is through what you teach in these courses, which is not how to slice a timeline. It's how to talk to people, how to get yourself in the right room, all that kind of stuff. Right.

Joaquin Elizondo: Well, that's the thing, it's, that was my discovery trying to break into scripted is something that I always wanted to do, and it took me like 15 years after having worked in, you know, things like, you know, talk shows, news and documentaries, to finally realize what it took to work in film and scripted television.

And what I realized was that it was, Softer skills, say like networking, definitely, you know, communication, how you write, say cold outreach messages. Mm-hmm. Your resume, all these things more so than the art skills, like the technical side of things. Right. Obviously, it's very important to know how to do your job, but it's this, you know, interaction with people and, and definitely networking and can't stress that enough.

You know how important that is. So it's based on my experience of figuring this out, making a lot of mistakes, and now creating this community, this resource for anyone that wants to do the same thing. And obviously, you know, I'm telling people it's like I just don't want you to do the commit the same mistakes that I did and I'm gonna save you a lot of time, frustration, stress, cuz I certainly went through it.

And so now there's this, you know, not only this course, but the, a podcast and a website, this whole resource for people who are, you know, trying to, to do what I do. That's so good. And it's, see again, the results are there. It, it's, you know, the testimonials are there, so, you know, it works. And so, you know, I, I don't plan to let it go because cuz of that, because I just realized how much this is needed.

It fills a void. It's needed in this industry.

Pat Flynn: Good you man. Where can people go who are listening to this, who are, wait, I, you mean I can get into Hollywood? Like where should they go to learn from you?

Joaquin Elizondo: Man, that's the thing. Well, it's at HollywoodEditingMentor.com and you know, I'm all over the, you know, social media.

I have a podcast, you know, I interview a lot of, you know, big name editors working on, you know, big movies and, and TV shows and, and who share their stories, how they say, you know, got to where they are. Got to the editing chair. Yeah. That's so cool. So it's not only about me, I want people to hear from people who are, who are more successful than I and to hear from them how they did it. And yes, like you said, it's, that's the thing I tell people it's possible. I never thought that I could do it, you know? And here I am, you know, I'm doing what I love and so anyone can do it.

Pat Flynn: That's so great, man. Thank, thank you for that. I think what I also love about your story is it's like you're not just like getting to Hollywood.

It's like the editors go-to resource, right? It's like so specific that you are now being recognized. You are a community leader, you're an authority in this space. You just have like even more connections that I, I now know that by helping other people this way, like you are forever gonna have project after project.

You know, like you have your, like it's a menu for you now. You could choose kind of wherever you want to go at this point because you're so upfront and also just relatable to, to your audience. So just well done on that. It's a perfect example of, of how it should be done and the fact that you're not like how to also be an actor or also how to be a director or also how to do, it's like you pick the one and, and you're just, you're just cruising in it, man. Good job.

Joaquin Elizondo: Thank you. No, I mean, it's it's been a journey for sure. And, and you know, that's the thing you know, when I talk to people, and even recently in a couple of events, they tell me, Hey man, you just, I can just relate to your experience and I just like, I connect with you.

And you know, it's, it's great because you know, I'm just being, I'm just being me. Like, I'm just telling people, being completely open about how it is. I'm just very transparent and, you know, people just like that. And, you know it's been just amazing. It's, it's crazy how this thing has grown in the past two years when I started during the pandemic.

It's quite crazy actually, honestly, you had, you know, you're out there in events and you're like, Hey, you're the Hollywood Editing Mentor. I mean, I still find that kind of weird. That's so good, man. But, but you know, it, it's cool though. And, you know, I just, I wanna improve. and, and just make it more of a valuable resource to people and, and you know, I just need to kind of sit down and really focus on this and, you know, dedicate some time to it.

Pat Flynn: Yeah. Awesome. And as you go along, I, my best advice for you is, you know, you're now a married man, family starting kind of thing. Like, you wanna make sure that you work on your time management and, and energy management really now, before like, you know, all that other stuff happens because like, it definitely is gonna add more levels of which way do I get like, so many different opportunities. So like the idea of a DIY course is perfect and I'm hoping that the next time we chat, like that will be up and running and we'll chat with you a little bit more about kind of the decisions you made and how life is going. If you, if you wouldn't mind coming back in the future.

Joaquin Elizondo: Oh, I would love to. I always love talking to you and. We'll, we'll be back here anytime you want me to.

Pat Flynn: All right, man, dude, I appreciate you. Proud of you, and, and keep going like we're all rooting for you. And then dude, well done.

Joaquin Elizondo: Thank you, Pat, as always. I mean, hey, you know, you motivated me to do this community and so thank you for everything that you do, honestly, I truly appreciate it.

Pat Flynn: I appreciate, man. Take care.

Alright, I hope you enjoy that interview with Joaquin Elizondo and not a really good catchup and just a, such a genuine guy. And he always like e even after we finish recording, he's always like very thankful and gives me a lot of credit for his journey, but, I mean, honestly, he's been doing a lot of things the way he should be and, and on his own.

But I'm just a guide and a mentor, just like he is to his students and his course and what he's up to is, is really amazing. So, you know, the fact that he's going to different places and getting recognized and getting known. As the film and TV editor, mentor for people is just so cool and I love it because he's staying in that niche.

He could branch out if you wanted to, but he just knows where he's most valuable and where he could provide the most service and just really proud of him for that. And I'm proud of you for listening all the way through. Thank you so much for this. Congrats again to Joaquin and all of your success, and hopefully all of yours.

That's you, the listener, all of your success from listening to all these episodes. I want you to take. Like Joaquin does. I want you to either move on to the next episode, or if you know what you need to do, don't delay. Just go and do that thing. All right? So I appreciate you so much for listening in, and I look forward to serving you in the next episode of AskPat 2.0.

Thank you so much. Cheers.

Thanks for listening to AskPat at AskPat.com. I'm your host, Pat Flynn. Our senior producer is David Grabowski. Our series producer is Paul Grigoras, and our executive producer is Matt Gartland. Sound editing by Duncan Brown. AskPat is a production of SPI Media. We'll catch you in the next session.