When Jordan Hayles was just nine years old, he sat wide-eyed in the studio of The National , mesmerized by the lights, the cameras, and the grand chair behind the anchor’s desk. That early spark turned into a flame in high school, where he discovered the power of editing through mashups and music videos. Years later, he's become one of Canada's most thoughtful editors, with a career that’s spanned lifestyle TV, independent film, and corporate campaigns, including the unforgettable NBA Championship video for the Toronto Raptors that left him in tears at the edit suite. In this episode of The Visual Intonation Podcast , we dive into the journey of a post-production powerhouse whose path was paved by hustle, humility, and heart. From his beginnings at Mohawk College to his early days cutting tape, Jordan shares how a passion for storytelling and a relentless belief in his skills guided him through spaces where Black editors are often few and far between. His work at Vice, CBC, MLSE, and on hit series like Next Stop and TallBoyz speaks to a career built not just on talent, but on connection, mentorship, and vision. But Jordan's story isn’t just about credits and cuts, it’s about community. He reflects on giving back through volunteer work at the Nia Centre for the Arts, mentoring the next generation of BIPOC creators, and how being “STiXX”—his self-branded identity born from being the skinny kid—became a badge of pride. Jordan doesn't just edit for the screen; he edits with purpose, helping others see a place for themselves in a space that too often overlooks them. Tune in as Jordan Hayles brings raw honesty, sharp insight, and infectious inspiration to the mic. Whether he’s talking about crying in an edit suite or getting discovered on a Twitter thread, he reminds us that this industry isn’t just about who you know, it’s about what you show . And Jordan’s been showing us excellence, one frame at a time. Jordan Hayles' Website: https://www.jordanhayleseditor.com/ Jordan Hayles' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan.a.hayles/ Jordan Hayles' BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jahayles.bsky.social Jordan Hayles' ImDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7391721/ Support the show Visual Intonation Website : https://www.visualintonations.com/ Visual Intonation Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/ Vante Gregory's Website : vantegregory.com Vante Gregory's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/directedbyvante/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations Tiktok : www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation Tiktok : www.tiktok.com/@directedbyvante
