For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Jayda Cardoza
What’s your job? Assistant Editor
List the credits you’re most proud of. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Spider-Man: No Way Home”
What are you working on right now? “Black Barbie: A Documentary”
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My friends, movies, music & fashion. I don’t officially have a mentor but Shannon Baker Davis has played a big part in my development as an Editor and knowledge of the industry.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I’m currently watching the “Morning Show” and “True Detective.”
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? When the first “Black Panther” came out in 2018. I was in college at the time studying film and this movie motivated me and got me really excited to enter the entertainment industry. Then I had the opportunity to work on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and it was like a full circle moment because I remembered how much I wished I could’ve worked on the first one. I also bumped up from a PA to an Assistant Editor on this movie, so it’ll always have a special place in my heart!
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I studied in Hong Kong for a semester. While I was there I took a photography class and became pretty good at it and grew a huge appreciation for all of the photographers that do it for a living.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? Kid Cudi’s “Entergalactic” when Jabari and Meadow leave the party early to go on a bike ride through the city. They share their first moment of realization that they have feelings for each other on this ride. Visually and musically it was beautiful.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? “Peaky Blinders.” The storytelling reels you in each episode and the editing techniques/styles are something I think about often. The amount of attention to detail I paid to this show confirmed for me that film/tv was something I was really passionate about.
What’s your personal/professional mantra? Everything happens for a reason and you’ll either find out that reason sooner or later in life. It’s helped me view things with more of an open and positive mind.
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse” live in concert.
What would be your dream project to work on? A Christopher Nolan movie. More specifically something like “Inception” or “Interstellar.” Or Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight.”
