02/17/2023
This past week, I had the opportunity to do something I have never had the chance to do, and that is shoot material that will be shown on Armenian television. Producer and host Artyom Yerkanyan from Shant TV Armenia interviewed a number of local Armenians for the series “The Special Interview: Armenia.” They included notables such as journalists Stephen Kurkjian and Anoush Elbakyan, jazz musician and composer John Baboian, chess master Samuel Sevyan, physicist Areg Danagulian, and political consultant Arthur Martirosian. I was a one man crew for these interviews, running three cameras simultaneously, plus setting up the lighting and engineering the sound recording. It was quite a task, but a lot of fun. I want to express my great appreciation to Artyom and to my good friends at NAASR (National Association for Armenian Studies and Research) who made my job much easier. To Silva Sedrakian, who allowed Artyom and me to film the interviews at NAASR in the first place….thank you. To Ani Babaian, who thought of the best way to position our cameras in order to use the Armenian alphabet on the wall as our backdrop….we’re so grateful. To Marc Mamigonian, who was also interviewed and spoke so eloquently about NAASR and the wonderful Armenian community that the institution serves….you were fantastic. Finally, my sincere gratitude to Laura Yardumian, who adjusted her schedule to accommodate our shooting schedule.…and for her nearly endless supply of York Peppermint Patties.…you’re the greatest. The interviews will be broadcast in Armenia later this spring.
