Starting up in New York. How sweet it is?! :D at DVinfo.net

Alex Khachatryan · October 8th, 2009, 07:39 PM

Hello! First I want to thank my fortune that brought me here (or maybe that was google).
Here is my story (hopefully later I can call it "Success story").
10 years ago, while living in my country (Armenia) I was a TV reporter. One day sircumstanses forsed me to take camera in my hands and work in broadcasting field. And I have became a camera man for local TV channel for 2 years. After 2 years I left my country for US and found myself here taking all kinds of different jobs. 8 years passed very quick, and by the time I have turned 30 I realized that there is no way I can continue live the same way. Yes, being a sales man of a popular product in New York is a great way to make living, but it was boring and put me down in depressive mood.
One day I bought a DCR HDD camcorder and started shooting local NYC events.
Started with low, I did some editing and kind of liked the result. Training almost every day, learning and refreshing my skills, I have realized that there is time to step in field as a freelance videographer with minimum of my own gear.
And here I go. My first pro camcorder SONY Z5U, simple tripod and monopod, on-camera light and Final Cut Express. This is today. I do not have job, I haven't make any money yet, and honestly reaching the point where I would find myself in miserable financial situation. But I am full of optimism and positive energy and willing to learn everything from everyone. Currently I continue brushing my knowledge and gaining some marketing skills.

I would really want to hear some pro opinions about this footage. I have shoot those things with consumer camcorder few months ago and edited with cheap software.
YouTube - treeamerica's Channel

Any suggestions will be extremely helpful and appreciated!

I hope to find myself handling bigger and what is most important PAID projects with my new HDV equipment.
Anyway, will keep those who interested updated in this topic.

And good luck to all self starters like me!

Alex Khachatryan · December 16th, 2010, 12:19 AM

Ashh, God knows how bad I wanted to delete this thread right after it's been posted. Even worse few days later, since no one replied...
Anyway, it's been more that a year for now and all I can say to that poor guy from "October 8th, 2009" is that he did the right thing!
I love my job and it keeps coming!
Thanks to fortune, this great resource and all awesome people who I've worked with during the year!

Russell Heaton · December 16th, 2010, 04:47 PM

Good on you Alex. You picked a tough economic time to go out on your own and it seems that it turned out OK. I take inspiration from stories like yours.

Cheers

Russ

Alan Melville · December 17th, 2010, 03:35 AM

Alex,

Same, same as Russ mate, good onya and well done.

Al

Alex Khachatryan · December 17th, 2010, 07:13 PM

Thanks guys. Lots of productivity and good luck in 2011!

Chad Whelan · December 20th, 2010, 12:13 AM

Good stuff Alex! Thanks for teaching me never to trust my GPS in New York City. I look forward to working together more in 2011!

Alex Khachatryan · December 21st, 2010, 08:15 PM

Thanks for everything Chad! It was pleasure working with you, such professional, cold-blooded and easy-going person!

Cheers.

Cynthia Granville · December 21st, 2010, 10:23 PM

congratulations on starting out fresh pursuing what you love. so glad it's working out for you! happy holidays!

October 8th, 2009, 07:39 PM	#1
Alex Khachatryan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 134	Starting up in New York. How sweet it is?! :D Hello! First I want to thank my fortune that brought me here (or maybe that was google). Here is my story (hopefully later I can call it "Success story"). 10 years ago, while living in my country (Armenia) I was a TV reporter. One day sircumstanses forsed me to take camera in my hands and work in broadcasting field. And I have became a camera man for local TV channel for 2 years. After 2 years I left my country for US and found myself here taking all kinds of different jobs. 8 years passed very quick, and by the time I have turned 30 I realized that there is no way I can continue live the same way. Yes, being a sales man of a popular product in New York is a great way to make living, but it was boring and put me down in depressive mood. One day I bought a DCR HDD camcorder and started shooting local NYC events. Started with low, I did some editing and kind of liked the result. Training almost every day, learning and refreshing my skills, I have realized that there is time to step in field as a freelance videographer with minimum of my own gear. And here I go. My first pro camcorder SONY Z5U, simple tripod and monopod, on-camera light and Final Cut Express. This is today. I do not have job, I haven't make any money yet, and honestly reaching the point where I would find myself in miserable financial situation. But I am full of optimism and positive energy and willing to learn everything from everyone. Currently I continue brushing my knowledge and gaining some marketing skills. I would really want to hear some pro opinions about this footage. I have shoot those things with consumer camcorder few months ago and edited with cheap software. YouTube - treeamerica's Channel Any suggestions will be extremely helpful and appreciated! I hope to find myself handling bigger and what is most important PAID projects with my new HDV equipment. Anyway, will keep those who interested updated in this topic. And good luck to all self starters like me!

December 20th, 2010, 12:13 AM	#6
Chad Whelan Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Deep River, Connecticut Posts: 261	Good stuff Alex! Thanks for teaching me never to trust my GPS in New York City. I look forward to working together more in 2011! __________________ ___________________________ www.ChadWhelan.com

December 16th, 2010, 12:19 AM	#2
Alex Khachatryan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 134	Ashh, God knows how bad I wanted to delete this thread right after it's been posted. Even worse few days later, since no one replied... Anyway, it's been more that a year for now and all I can say to that poor guy from "October 8th, 2009" is that he did the right thing! I love my job and it keeps coming! Thanks to fortune, this great resource and all awesome people who I've worked with during the year!

December 16th, 2010, 04:47 PM	#3
Russell Heaton Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cossack, Western Australia, Australia Posts: 84	Good on you Alex. You picked a tough economic time to go out on your own and it seems that it turned out OK. I take inspiration from stories like yours. Cheers Russ

December 17th, 2010, 03:35 AM	#4
Alan Melville Major Player Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No Fixed Address :) Western Australia Posts: 275	Alex, Same, same as Russ mate, good onya and well done. Al

December 17th, 2010, 07:13 PM	#5
Alex Khachatryan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 134	Thanks guys. Lots of productivity and good luck in 2011!

December 21st, 2010, 08:15 PM	#7
Alex Khachatryan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 134	Thanks for everything Chad! It was pleasure working with you, such professional, cold-blooded and easy-going person! Cheers.

December 21st, 2010, 10:23 PM	#8
Cynthia Granville Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Weehawken NJ Posts: 51	congratulations on starting out fresh pursuing what you love. so glad it's working out for you! happy holidays!