Meet Mike Melnick | Photographer/Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Melnick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career because most of my life I told myself it wasn’t possible. Sticking to the ‘status quo’ was a mindset I couldn’t shake. Although I come from a creative family, most of my life I felt like the black sheep who fell into a sales job because “that’s what you do when you don’t know what you want to do.” My brother also played a big factor in expanding my horizons beyond sales and into music/editing. After years of drug abuse, his sobriety and success as a hip hop artist inspired me to step out of my own comfort zone and try something different. Right now I have a happy medium between art and ‘corporate culture’. I recently started a new job at at a software company, Social Native, that connects brands to the creator community. So, in a way, I currently enjoy a life that pursues artwork personally, and promotes it professionally. I am happy with this median and the stress/challenges that come with it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in live event coverage, recaps and music videos for resident and touring DJs. My goal is to always tell a story that captures the viewer’s attention within the first 3 seconds, and incorporates ‘mooky’ editing tactics to keep the viewer on their toes. I always try to include some sort of behind the scenes content that offers the audience insight into characteristics beyond an artist’s music and stage persona. Most recently I’ve been able to include my own voice in a few videos and that level of personalization is gratifying and seems more authentic. I got to where I am today because I am not afraid to ask and I love networking consistently. I guess this is the sales person in me. A lot of what I’ve learned in software sales I apply to artist relations. The hardest part so far has been getting in the door, and I’ve never ‘overcome’ this as its a recurring challenge, similar to selling and booking that first meeting with a prospect. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is listening to what the artist wants and if you have an idea, run with it, but if that idea isn’t accepted then don’t take it personally and give the client what they asked for. I want the world to know that the ‘creator economy’ is only getting bigger and everyone has the liberty to contribute to it. My story is just a testament to the fact that you’ll never know if you’re good at something until you try it. And even if you don’t see results, it’s the enjoyment in the process that is the most fulfilling.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever I have a friend visiting LA I make sure we go to a Blind Tiger event downtown. You can learn more about Blind Tiger on IG @blindtiger_la. I’d say be prepared to stay up late and dance to some of the best underground tech house in the world. I always take friends to the Venice Beach skatepark and we’ll most likely grab ceviche for lunch at El Huarique on the boardwalk. If it’s the summer time, we’re driving to Pasadena (my hometown) and headed to the San Gabriel Mountains for some cliff jumping. Most likely stop at Lucky Boy for a breakfast burrito on the way home. One of the coolest places to check out is Sunken City in San Pedro. For dinner, we’re going to Baja Cantina on Washington near Marina Del Rey. I’ve been going there with family since I was a kid and they did a great job transforming the parking lot into a dining area with a sandy floor and DJ booth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Gary Richards (DJ name Destructo). I’ve been a fan of his music and live events for over 15 years, so naturally it was a surreal experience when he invited me to go on a 4th of July tour with him last year.

Gary deserves credit because he took a chance on me and provided genuine feedback on some lessons I needed to learn when it comes to artist relations and events coverage. Since then I’ve had a chance to collab on a few different projects with him and it’s just awesome. I made a lot of traction in a short period of time and it’s because of artists/leaders like Gary who are open to inviting new players to the party.

Shoutout to Body Bag Ben. He’s a dope rapper that makes the craziest beats. He offered to pay me to make a promo video for a track he did with Rick Hyde last year and that’s what got me started with editing. First video I ever made and got paid for was with him and I’m just thankful he hit me up.

Website: https://www.onestopxmedia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mookyshuffler/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejmelnick?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBjNcjDemZ8

Other: IG @michaelmelnick website: https://outoffocusstudios.com/home

Image Credits
Ryan Keller Steven Garcia Julian Teixeira