Growing up in a small town in Texas, Clarissa gravitated towards filmmaking at an early age. She particularly found her love of editing when she cut a video her friends filmed in high school about texting and driving. She was in awe of how these random clips they shot could come together to tell a story. 

After high school she attended The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA where she graduated with a degree in Motion Pictures and Television. 

She then moved to New York, where she started her career at a commercial post house. Since then, her tenacity and passion for her craft has allowed her to move up the ranks to become the editor she is today. 

 
Clarissa is passionate about her role as a woman of color in the entertainment industry. She has made it her responsibility to be a role model for young women, and is dedicated to creating more opportunities, as well as mentoring those who feel underrepresented.

Clarissa currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and has edited movie trailers, sizzles, and various types of digital and television promotions. 

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She is also an active member of Soapbox, where she currently serves as the Co-VP of the Soapbox Editor’s chapter.