MEWShop Alumni Annie Nelson's path to success isn’t one of instant fame or pre-planned ambition. Instead, it’s a story of trial and error, unexpected opportunities, and a relentless drive to work behind the scenes. From dabbling in social media videos to becoming the lead editor for a growing YouTube personality "Topper Guild", Annie's journey shows how following your passion and succeeding.
The Early Years: From High School Graduation to Los Angeles
Annie’s story begins like many others—young and uncertain, trying to find her place in the world. After high school, she packed up and moved to Los Angeles, uncertain about what she wanted but sure that something awaited her. She had experimented with making videos on social media but quickly realized that being in front of the camera wasn’t her thing. “I didn’t like people asking about my personal life,” she says. Instead, she gravitated toward the behind-the-scenes work—a thread that ran through her high school years when she’d been involved in theater, but never as an actor.
While figuring out her next steps in L.A., Annie started editing videos for a friend who was a YouTuber. It was a small gig that helped with rent, but something clicked when she cut her first video. The freedom of shaping a story and the creativity involved in editing felt like something she had been craving without even knowing it. What started as a part-time job soon became a full-blown passion, even though she had no formal training. Armed with natural creativity and a hunger to learn, she dove into video editing, building skills on the fly. It was the beginning of a career she hadn’t expected but one she was about to fall in love with.
The Arizona Detour: A Bold Move Toward Education
A year into life in L.A., Annie decided to take the next step and move to Arizona to attend Arizona State University, hoping formal education would help her refine her editing skills. But the plan quickly fell apart. The city didn’t feel like home, her roommates were less than ideal, and a sense of dissatisfaction settled in. After a lot of reflection, Annie packed up and decided to drive back to Georgia—alone. The three-day drive became an opportunity to think deeply about her next move.
Her thoughts kept circling back to New York, a city she’d always felt drawn to. There, she believed, she could find the creative energy she was looking for. During this time, fate threw her a curveball. While researching editing resources online, she came across Manhattan Edit Workshop’s Six Week Intensive Workshop. The course turned out to be a game-changer—an online program that would teach her the editing skills she needed to get her career started. Because of the COVID pandemic, the course was remote, but Annie decided to spend the summer in New York to immerse herself in New York City’s vibrant atmosphere.
Though the class was online, the real learning came from the environment she placed herself in. With just a few other students in the class, she got personalized attention. She quickly mastered editing software like Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, and Avid Media Composer —something she’d never used before. It also exposed her to different ideas and concepts that were strictly related to the craft of video editing. She also had the opportunity to work with “This is Us” & “Hacks” Editor Susan Vaill, ACE, who was the Artist in Residence for Annie’s class. What she didn’t realize at the time was that this would also teach her the discipline of remote learning, a skill she would later rely on as her career grew.
The Struggles and Breakthroughs: Grit Meets Opportunity
Returning to Los Angeles after the summer, Annie found herself facing the harsh reality of job hunting. She applied for over 500 positions, hoping to break into the world of editing. But the responses were few and far between. Many offers were for unpaid test edits, while others went unanswered altogether. “I felt like I had moved to three different places just to be stuck in the same position,” Annie recalls, frustration creeping into her voice.
Then, just when she was about to lose hope, a friend introduced her to Bryce, who happened to know someone in the editing world. This connection led to a job editing short-form content, but it wasn’t smooth sailing at first. In between projects, Annie found herself dog-sitting for a producer, just to keep the bills paid. But she never stopped pushing for more editing opportunities. Eventually, her persistence paid off when she got a chance to test edit for a producer who was dissatisfied with his team’s work. Annie impressed him, and soon after, she was offered a full-time position.
That moment marked the beginning of Annie’s rise. What followed was a series of connections and opportunities, eventually leading her to become the lead editor for a rapidly growing YouTube channel for YouTuber Topper Guild. As the channel transitioned from short-form videos to long-form content, the audience—and the views—exploded. Annie’s role evolved from editor to head of post-production, and with that, she helped shape a digital empire.
The Numbers: Turning Passion into Impact
Today, the “Topper Guild” YouTube channel attracts a staggering 36 million monthly views. As of this article, one of their most recent videos surpassed a million views, becoming the most-watched video in the channel’s history. This success isn’t just a result of consistent uploads—it’s also the result of Annie’s commitment to mastering her craft and understanding her audience’s needs. She’s not just an editor; she’s an architect of engagement, constantly refining her techniques to keep the content fresh, compelling, and aligned with the digital landscape’s ever-changing demands.
Looking Forward: Empowering the Next Generation of Editors
With over a year and a half in her current role, Annie has her sights set on the future. She’s now looking to start her own company—one that will help aspiring editors find work in the competitive world of social media. “There’s no clear platform for aspiring editors to connect with creators,” she says. With her own experience in mind, she wants to bridge that gap, offering a space where talent can meet opportunity.
In the meantime, Annie is focused on continuing to hone her skills, growing her expertise, and helping the channel she works with reach new heights. As for what’s next, she’s keeping an open mind, but one thing is clear: whatever she does, it will be driven by her passion for creating—behind the scenes, of course.
Annie Nelson’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, the importance of networking, and the unexpected turns that can shape a career. What began as a curiosity about video editing has evolved into a full-fledged career that’s not only allowed her to follow her passion but also to help others along the way. As she continues to grow, Annie remains proof that with determination, creativity, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.