Editor & VMA Winner

Vinnie Hobbs

Vinnie Hopps is using Logickeyboard shortcut keyboards

My work on the video for Kendrick Lamar’s song, “Everything will be Alright”, is my proudest moment. I feel like the video had a really good message and plenty of substance.

VMA award for best editor - Vinnie Hobbs.

My name is Vinnie Hobbs, and I’m a video editor. My experience is primarily with music videos. I started editing in high school - skateboard music videos, skateboard highlight reels - and got into music videos when I moved to the United States.

After working on several projects, directors started calling me to ask if I could edit their music video. Of course I said yes, and shortly thereafter I started earning money for my editing. My workload increased quickly and I soon became a full-time video editor.

At Seattle University I studied communications, with a journalism aspect. Thus I have no formal film school teaching. Everything I’ve learned is the result of “learning by doing”. 

My work on the video for Kendrick Lamar’s song, “Everything will be Alright”, is my proudest moment. I feel like the video had a really good message and plenty of substance. It debuted at a time when the social climate in the U.S. was very turbulent, with lots of racial tension, and I think the video was very therapeutic for many people. The song positively impacted everyone who watched it, and when the video was nominated for “Video of the Year” in 2015, I was extremely proud.

VHpost - My company.

My three-person company includes me and two talented editors. Our long-term goal is to enter the movie business, which I think is every editor’s goal. But right now we’re really killing it in the music video industry. 

My inspiration comes from.

I’m a hip hop fan, and I get inspired by every new hip hop music video. When I see something cool, I always try to set the bar even higher. I think my background in storytelling and communications, and bringing it into music videos, is what sets my style apart from other music video editors. My work on Future’s video for “Mask Off” was nominated for Best Editing at the MTV Music Awards, and I think this is due in part to my adding a narrative aspect to the video. My narrative background helped me to assemble my footage in a strategic way, vs. just cutting to the beat and slicing on the beat code. 

The importance of tunnel vision and shortcuts.

I approach my editing with tunnel vision, meaning that I eliminate any technical roadblocks that might diminish my creativity. When you’re in the “zone” you just, go, go, go - but then an issue happens and you lose concentration.  However, knowing your keyboard shortcuts helps eliminate obstacles and facilitates faster editing. Shortcuts help me maintain my tunnel vision so I can execute every project with maximum creativity.

Below you'll find a handpick of Vinnie's best work