Aaron Bencid developed a passion for cinema early in his life. Growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, he was captivated by the films that arrived weekly at his uncle’s video rental store. It was only natural for him to create and edit his own short films.
His enthusiasm for filmmaking took him from Venezuela to Los Angeles, California, where he pursued a degree in film at the Art Center College of Design. It wasn’t long before his classmates sought his skills for editing their projects, earning him a reputation beyond the school’s walls.
Bencid secured an internship with the prestigious post-production house Rock, Paper, Scissors, established by Angus Wall, a former editor for David Fincher. During his time there, he gained invaluable insights into the “nuances of commercial post-production.” He later had the opportunity to intern under creative director Rick Vargas at Apple, Inc., where he learned and contributed to “all aspects of production.” This experience opened the door to further career opportunities.
After graduating, Bencid joined the team at Rosewood, a creative agency. “As the lead editor and colorist for the Apple Music team, I had the privilege of editing and coloring content for internationally renowned artists like Christina Aguilera, Janelle Monae, The Chainsmokers, Charlie Puth, Years & Years, among others,” he states.
A pivotal moment in his career emerged when My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) enlisted Bencid through the company Wildchild for the We Are the Ones campaign. He recalls it felt like a sudden opportunity, as he quickly flew from Los Angeles to New York.
The following morning, he began work in the post-production room. With new footage featuring Stephen Curry, Chance The Rapper, and Barack Obama being continuously filmed, he had to integrate these fresh scenes into the final cut. This project tested his technical skill and his ability to excel in a high-pressure, fast-paced setting.
This experience wouldn’t be the last of its kind for him. While working on a project for Prada, he was stationed in Los Angeles while the shooting took place in Miami. The footage was uploaded in real-time, and Bencid led a team of producers and assistants who worked tirelessly day and night.
He remembers that one of the toughest challenges arose during a Prada event at Art Basel in Miami. The event concluded at midnight Eastern Time, and Bencid and his crew had to edit the film recap to ensure its release by 7 AM EST.
Bencid has also collaborated with other prestigious fashion brands, including Louis Vuitton. He has partnered with Marco Prestini and Malcolm Duncan on videos for Golden Goose Deluxe Brand.
Recognized for his adaptability and distinctive approach to editing and post-production, Bencid has collaborated with various musical artists including Camila Cabello, Ty Dolla $ign, and Olivia O’Brien. Some of the notable music videos he has edited, like Kygo’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” featuring Tina Turner, as well as “Not OK” and “Think About You,” have garnered millions of views.
He also collaborated with Prestini on one of the inaugural music videos for Tierra Whack. Mumbo Jumbo was nominated for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards held in 2019.
Bencid has worked on short films such as I _____ YOU and Untangled for director Sarah Bahah, alongside Kygo video projects, and for the Hyperion company.
In his recent projects with Rosewood, Bencid made contributions to the Lobos 1707 campaign that featured LeBron James and Victoria Justice. Additionally, he participated in the Compton Cowboys campaign for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice brand, which specializes in pre-mixed alcoholic drinks. Both of these high-profile projects highlight Bencid’s crucial role in shaping the visual content for some of the industry’s leading figures.
The environment where he spent his formative years has undoubtedly influenced his creative outlook.
“Growing up in a third-world country with extreme crime, violence, corruption, and poverty, while also growing up surrounded by vast landscapes, nature, and a vibrant culture has allowed me to cultivate a unique perspective in my creative endeavors,” Bencid explains.
Bencid is continuing the creative path he embarked upon long ago in Venezuela at Harbor Picture Company. He aims to continue exploring innovative projects that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling techniques within the realm of post-production.
