Editor’s Note: Welcome to REEL WOMEN, our annual tribute to dynamic women in creative industries. As we Celebrate Women’s History Month throughout the month of March, let us introduce you to some very special women, like editor, Ariana De Simone.
Ariana De Simone was born in Chicago and attended Columbia College Chicago. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Arts and Sciences / Post-Production in 2016. She started as an intern at Optimus fresh out of college and worked her way up and was promoted to editor in 2022. She loves to work on emotional and music driven pieces.
Her latest favorite is a short film called Sisters directed by Luke Jaden. The short is playing at the Midwest Film Festival this month, as well as being featured on NOWNESS as one of their top picks.
She has edited spots for clients such as Disney, Taco Johns, Famous Footwear, GE, Nike, Pepsi, and more. Ariana enjoys all types of projects, but emotional and music driven pieces are what she enjoys most. She was also the editor of the feature concert film Chance the Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring World which was released in AMC theaters in 2021.
Let’s meet Ariana.
What’s your origin story?
I was always a creative kid, my favorite classes in school were always the enrichment classes, music, art and gym. I always loved to make up dances, sing, and perform for my family with my sisters and cousins. Growing up I played a handful of sports, but connected most with basketball and cheerleading. I was on varsity cheerleading all 4 years of high school.
How did you get in to the film industry?
When I went to college my freshman year, I was actually studying to become an elementary school teacher. I soon realized after a few classes, that teaching was not going to be my true passion. It wasn’t until I edited a music video for my English final, that I truly realized how much I enjoyed editing. (Don’t ask me know I turned a music video into an English final, I am still not sure! ha) My teacher pulled me aside after I played my video for the class and said how impressed he was with the video, and that really stuck with me. From then I started to think more about other things I loved doing and what other career options I had. I met with my counselor started to inquire more about transferring to a school with an audio or film major. I ended up transferring to Columbia College Chicago my sophomore year, and ultimately decided to major in audio engineering. After a couple years of majoring in audio, I started to realize maybe audio also wasn’t my true passion either. I ended up taking an edit class as an elective and that ended up being my favorite class ever. I remember counting down the days for that class because I loved it so much. (Shout out to Kristin Webster my teacher!!) After that class, I decided to switch my concentration to editing. From there, I graduated with my bachelors in film and immediately applied for post-production internships. I ended up getting the internship at Optimus, and the rest is history!
Who were your mentors?
Growing up, my parents were my biggest mentors. They taught me from a young age how important hard work is, and have always been so supportive of all the decisions I have made in my life and they are always there to offer great advice. I also have many colleagues from Optimus that have been mentors to me over the years. Carl Schumacher and Angelo Valencia are two out of the many that come to mind. Both are editors that I had the pleasure of assisting for an extended period of time, and they both truly helped mold me into the editor I am today.
What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement to date is becoming an editor at Optimus. I worked very hard for many years to work my way up in the company, and when I was promoted to editor in 2022, I really felt like all my work had finally paid off…working on a feature with Chance the Rapper was also pretty cool too!
What drives you to create?
My love for editing is what drives me, but also the fact that there are just so many talented people to collaborate with…there’s endless amounts of amazing content to be made!!
What product or service do you dream of doing a campaign for?
I would love to edit more music videos. I have only worked on a handful, but music has always been something that brings me so much joy.
Who are you dying to work with?
There really isn’t anyone specific that’s comes to mind. I am always looking to meet new people to collaborate with, and I will continue to do that!
Award you crave, but haven’t won?
I don’t really crave awards, I am not an award driven person; I just want to work on cool projects with cool people!
Female-directed franchise films such as Star Wars or MCU constantly get called “woke” by Internet trolls. Why?
I think “internet trolls” feel threatened by powerful women.
Coffee, Lunch Happy Hour. Name a female Shero (living or dead) you would like to attend each function with.
Coffee: Selena Gomez
Lunch: Drew Barrymore
Happy Hour: Blake Lively
Favorite movie and TV show of 2023.
I really loved Creed III …and Michael B. Jordan wasn’t too bad to look at either! Favorite TV show has been Greys Anatomy, I know it’s not a new show but I started and finished it recently and it’s my new fav!
Band or Singer you would ditch your career and go perform with?
Rihanna!
What’s your theme song for 2024?
Live Your Life – T.I ft. Rihanna
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