I’m a filmmaker and editor based in North Carolina, and I’m super passionate about all things related to the natural world. Currently, I’m editing a documentary about the Guatemalan Civil War that some of my colleagues filmed, but I have experience in making viral content as well. I’ve edited for YouTube channels like Extinct Zoo, where my videos have reached over 16 million views combined. My favorite part of the job is finding creative ways to visualize stuff that usually lives in a textbook (I especially like animating phylogenetic trees and other biological relationalities). Whether that’s animating a fossil coming back to life or compositing timelapses of galaxies, I love the challenge of making complex ideas digestible for more casual audiences.

Erik Calugar

I’m a filmmaker and editor based in North Carolina, and I’m super passionate about all things related to the natural world. Currently, I’m editing a documentary about the Guatemalan Civil War that some of my colleagues filmed, but I have experience in making viral content as well. I’ve edited for YouTube channels like Extinct Zoo, where my videos have reached over 16 million views combined. My favorite part of the job is finding creative ways to visualize stuff that usually lives in a textbook (I especially like animating phylogenetic trees and other biological relationalities). Whether that’s animating a fossil coming back to life or compositing timelapses of galaxies, I love the challenge of making complex ideas digestible for more casual audiences.

Available to hire

I’m a filmmaker and editor based in North Carolina, and I’m super passionate about all things related to the natural world. Currently, I’m editing a documentary about the Guatemalan Civil War that some of my colleagues filmed, but I have experience in making viral content as well. I’ve edited for YouTube channels like Extinct Zoo, where my videos have reached over 16 million views combined. My favorite part of the job is finding creative ways to visualize stuff that usually lives in a textbook (I especially like animating phylogenetic trees and other biological relationalities). Whether that’s animating a fossil coming back to life or compositing timelapses of galaxies, I love the challenge of making complex ideas digestible for more casual audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent
Romanian, Moldavian, Moldovan
Advanced
Hungarian
Advanced
German
Intermediate

Work Experience

YouTube Editor at Video Editing Services Remote
March 1, 2024 - Present
Edit videos weekly for multiple YouTube channels including educational and vlog-style content. Created animations to visualize challenging concepts in paleontology. Edited nine videos for the Extinct Zoo YouTube channel totaling over 16 million views combined.
Video and Photography Services at International Nature Photography, Videography and Portraiture
November 1, 2019 - Present
Managed projects and contributed at every stage of video and film production including sound design, sequence selection, cutting, and post-production aspects. Extensive experience creating time-lapses and compositing astrophotography.
Lookout Observatory Docent at Physics and Astronomy Department | UNCA Asheville
January 1, 2023 - Present
Operated two 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes equipped with equatorial mounts. Processed and compiled hundreds of images to create a mosaic of the Andromeda galaxy.
Video Animation, Video and Sound Operation at Zing Drone Solutions
October 1, 2024 - Present
Collaborated with the Oregon Prison Department to film a drone defense system demonstration within the prison. Animated 3D scenes to supplement prison footage in a promotional video.
Script Supervisor Assistant at T-Pain Short Film
May 1, 2024 - Present
Shadowed the script supervisor by taking shot notes and organizing takes according to the storyboard. Assisted the director of photography to maintain continuity between shots.
Fossil Preparator at Grey Fossil Site
May 1, 2024 - August 27, 2025
Identified microfossils using a microscope, screened large amounts of sediment to find fossil fragments. Cleaned and assembled fossils using a safe and reversible consolidant.
Print and Video Journalist at The Blue Banner | UNCA Asheville
May 1, 2023 - August 27, 2025
Created weekly videos about local news using video interviews and supplemental B-Roll footage. Researched local issues to write articles for the university newspaper.
Video Editor at Interdisciplinary Studies Department | UNCA Asheville
August 1, 2022 - August 27, 2025
Condensed dozens of hours of seminar footage into a 30-minute video which was shown at an international conference.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication at University of North Carolina at Asheville
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2024

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other