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10 Questions with ... Elias Selimas
November 17, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- Praxis Recording Studio - 1995 - 1998: Recording - Mixing Sound Engineer at Studio Praxis
- Alpha 98.9 Fm (Athens) - 1998 - 2014: Broadcast Sound Engineer (?n Air / Production) at Alpha 98.9 Fm
- Internship - 1993 - 1995: Assistant Recording - Mixing Sound Engineer at Studio Praxis
I have 16 years' experience as a Broadcast On-Air/Production Sound Engineer Technician for a large-market FM News station. Through my years of experience, I'm able to process large amounts of information, analyze this information and make sound decisions sometimes under intense deadline pressure (in cases of breaking news or election coverage). I'm skilled in utilizing internal and external resources to accomplish goals.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
The truth is that staying motivated was never even a problem for me. Aiming at professional targets and strategizing how I'll accomplish my next career goal is motivating, especially since I'd like to take my career abroad.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
This is the most "fun part." I'm practicing with programs and software, and reading technical books associated with my work (Pro Radio Board Operator). I finally managed to organize my 1TB music library in a radio format. Plus, CD exporting, naming files, making ID Tags, and making some thematic radio spots.
3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
When I first got out of the business, I thought that it was a total disaster. The whole situation here in Greece is a total disaster. But suddenly I realized the narrow horizon of the radio environment here. On the other hand, the quote "where big disasters happen, big opportunities appear" found its meaning. It's all about what you choose to see. All I can see is opportunities to enter in the U.S. radio business. I have the experience and the abilities to try such a thing.
4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
After 16 years as a professional board operator here in Greece, I can't imagine myself anywhere else. The thing is ... where?
5) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
There's no other way than getting a chance ... I only need a chance to prove that I deserve it.
6) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Mostly AllAccess.com.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Well, that changed a lot. I listen to much more radio (U.S. radio stations) through the web. My experience puts me into the control room, knowing what's really going on every minute of the program I'm listening to. I'm getting prepared...
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I've learned to be more patient, and I've learned to be more careful when it comes to a 'friendship' thing. As for life, I learned to not take things for sure ... everything can change in the drop of a hat.
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
If you do it just to "do something," don't bother. Radio is another way of thinking. Master your skills and put your soul in it. Otherwise, don't even bother.
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I don't believe that it will change many things. You can say I will try to be even better than I was before. It wasn't my fault that I got out (Greece crisis).
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull
- To Lathos (The Flaw) - Antonis Samarakis
Maybe you'll find a part of yourself in one of those masterpieces.
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