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10 Questions with ... Evan "E-Mak" Makovsky
June 13, 2006
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NAME:Evan "E-Mak" MakovskyLAST WITH:1540 "The Ticket" KMPC, Sporting News Radio, Los Angeles, CAPHONE:(310) 428-7210EMAIL:emakovsky@gmail.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I graduated Syracuse in '98. I started working at KNFO/Aspen, Colorado hosting "The E-Mak Show." I worked at a station that was an affiliate for the Broncos, Buffs, Avalanche, and Rockies. It was a great place to get started from 1998-2000, while skiing. I was an FM DJ as well. From there, I was a sports anchor at XTRA Sports 690 in San Diego from 2000-Feb. '03. I then landed a job as a reporter at KMPC 1540 "The Ticket," Sporting News Radio in Los Angeles. For the last 3 years, I've been the reporter at Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, USC, UCLA, Kings, and Ducks games. In addition, I was a studio anchor and I did a segment on David Stein's national radio show called "E-Mak's back from the game." It was a comedy segment about my night covering the game (nobody nationally cared about the score of the Clippers game per se).
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I've had so many great life experiences in this business!! I have faith in my product. Paul Allen put SNR up for sale 2 months ago, and my station just lost USC. My current situation, I had no control of, so taking it personally is foolhardy. I'm working like a freak to get a job, and have great leads. I'm making great connections and talking to everyone under the sun. In addition, I'm still freelancing. I am busting my tail to find a job, just like I'll work my butt off for the next person who hires me.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Workout, Yoga, run, date, enjoy, hang out with friends, go to concerts, watch the Sopranos, things I did when I had a job. I'm trying to keep the focus on getting a job though.
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.
I don't enjoy not working and want to work. I am enlightened with the business, because I've had time to reflect, and reassess what my strength's and weaknesses are. I'm a personality guy. I'm sarcastic and self effacing and I want to position myself to succeed where my talents lie. I've realized that you have to brand yourself in this industry or you're just an interchangeable part.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the sports radio industry?
Yes, but I'm open to being a sports guy on an FM, and also open to television as well. I'm not closing any doors and I'm determined to find the best opportunity.
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Once before this long, which is 6 weeks.
6) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
Connections. The product has to be there, but in this field, connections matter, and anyone who tells you differently is lying.
7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Show host or a sports guy on an FM morning show where I can entertain and have fun with it. If it's a sports station (sports is my forte...but I'm very open to entertainment), I'd like it to be more personality oriented. I enjoy anchoring/reporting and would enjoy doing it on top of hosting on weekdays or weekends.
8) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
Depends how your application gets there. In any industry there are honorable people and people who talk out of the side of their mouth. I've met great people, and not-so-great people.
9) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
Persistence. In addition, really trying to entertain, and make relationships with potential employers. We're not saving lives here; this is the entertainment business. Also, I have control over myself, not the pack.
10) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
No, every time the radio comes on, I deeply resent it, and I get physically ill. Of course YES, I'm listening to it more. It's great, I'm learning what else is out there. I'm listening to all kinds of radio. One thing about this business, new ideas catch on all the time(that's one of the greatest things about this business), and I'm a thinker.
Bonus Questions
What do you miss most about radio?
Being on-air, creating magic, kidding around, telling a story, interviewing, digging deeper ...
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