ABOUT

So what do you actually do?

I’m a digital editor for big YouTubers such as KSI, George Janko, Miniminter. I also run my own YouTube channel, which currently has 540,000+ subscribers.

What has your career path been?

I started in this industry back in 2013 and I started in television / broadcast but when I found out about YouTube, I knew that social media would be the big thing for me to work in with YouTube being the main platform so I then jumped on that and it worked out well.

At the start I did struggle a lot. I did my Bachelor’s degree in video production in Wolverhampton and then I did my Master’s in Salford University (post-production) and after that it was a struggle. In this industry representation of ethnic minorities is small so when I applied for jobs, I felt like I was at a disadvantage.

This company I got recommended told me that I can work for them for free, and it was a big company and they’d done major TV shows so I done a work placement for them, and I was smashing it.

But I was passed up for jobs in favour of other people who had only been there for a few weeks, and it did make me question why I wasn’t offered the job as this individual in particular did not have any experience yet I had been there for a few months, with all my experience, doing a great job.

And this was hurtful, because I did question whether this was to do with my race as the company was made up of majority non-ethnic minorities.

I did so much work experience, for free, and then for one year I was delivering pizzas and it did hurt my ego. But I didn’t give up and I kept applying for things.

At one point I did think that that this industry isn’t right for people like me. I’m Asian, my name is Muhammad and I did question whether all of these things impacted me making it in this industry.

I felt like my showreel was perfect and I had a lot of experience but there was always just something missing. I understood it for the most part but in cases where people got hired over me when they had such little experience, I had to question what was wrong.

So I started doing research and I found a page on Facebook for BAME people in the media industry so I started following them and they posted jobs. From there I had a couple jobs, such as being a runner, an assistant, and a bunch of things in companies in media city in Manchester.

And then I applied for this company called Endemol in London who ended up giving me a job and I was so happy as they are a global company. And the office was so diverse too. The CEO was black which really inspired me as I saw that there were people in power from ethnic minorities. This was the first time I saw a media company with so much diversity.

At Endemol I was working in the social media department and editing for YouTube channels and through this I met KSI, who was a talent for Endemol, and from there I started to work for him.

I started my own YouTube channel nearly a year ago but I just used to work as a background editor with KSI. I was always shy and an introvert, and I didn’t want to be in front of the camera that much but my name was being mentioned in several videos and people were interested in knowing more about me so I started my own YouTube channel.

I currently have over 500k subscribers and it was gifted in a way, due to my connections. But I never really chased the popularity because I’m quite a private guy and it’s one of those tings that just happened. 

But I’m now in a position where I want to do something different so whenever I have free time, I plan ideas for my channel to post. Some are educational, some are challenges, and some are motivational videos.

I’m a massive fan of Yes Theory and I love that they motivate people, and get out of their comfort zone which is what I want to do with my channel.

What is the best part of your job?

Having control of my creativity and imagination.

For example, KSI will send me his clips and I use my own imagination to create the perfect video for him. I’ve worked for him for nearly six years so he trusts me to make the right video for his channel.

Also it’s so cool knowing that millions of people will watch the videos that I edit. I just love the freedom that my role gives me.

Why do you do your job?

I feel like I can do a lot of with my job. I want to prove that not all South Asians fit the stereotype of working in finance, medicine etc.

Those are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but when it comes to Asian Muslims, there aren’t many in the industry that I work in. There’s a feeling that it’s not the right path for them but I want to prove that it is. 

And there’s so many things I can do with my skill. It’s not just making videos for KSI, I can edit anything and the sky is the limit. I can create documentaries, I can make so much and I love the amount of opportunities my skills give me.

I also love the freedom my job gives me. I don’t work a traditional 9-5. My son can sit with me whilst I edit. I can be my own boss. I can manage my own time.

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Never give up.

Especially if you are like me, from a South Asian background, it can be very easy to give up because there aren’t many people like us in this space, in the UK especially.

You should do as much editing as you can. In this industry people don’t care about your degree that much, they prefer skills and what you have done. Keep your showreel updated, do different styles of edit, and keep trying.

It’s so hard to get jobs in this industry, more so now, and it is super hard to get in but if you keep at it then you can make it.

Check out Mo’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

Before I go to sleep I download all the files I need to edit for the next day. This can also include converting files into certain formats etc. so I do all of this in the evenings so it’s ready first thing. 

I always start my mornings with a walk or I try to go to the gym which sets me up for the day and clears my head.

And then my job is fairly straightforward from then on – I edit videos! When it comes to working with KSI or Miniminter, we have been working together for ages so it’s fairly informal and we communicate over WhatsApp but with George Janko, as he’s based in America, we have calls in his time zone.  

They usually send me all of their clips and then I use my creativity to shape it into the best and most entertaining video for them, and then they send me any changes they want to make which I then do – and then the video goes out and is viewed by millions.

I always aim to finish my editing by seven so I can have time with my family after and then I repeat the same process the day after!