Meet Ryan Chisesi | Video Producer/Editor

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

Hi Ryan, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor? Probably the willingness to not do what other people are doing and to do work in a way that makes you excited, even if that isolates you from certain industries or people. I mean that in the kindest way possible.

When I started out I wanted to do things like all these people I saw online and in person, but nothing ever came out like their work. In fact it came out quite terrible. That would eat at me and make me wonder what I was doing wrong.

Once I started to focus on filming and editing and presenting myself in a way that felt authentic to me, that’s when things truly started to click and I got more work and so on.

This wasn’t easy at all to do, though. In fact I got a LOT of negative feedback on my style. “Everything moves too fast…” “Why did you put that there?” “This is chaos”.. ha-ha

This “too fast” style is eventually what ended up getting peoples attention because it was different. It stood out. Suddenly big companies and studios started reaching out to me to do sizzle reels and other content bc they needed something different. They wanted to set themselves apart and that was an amazing realization.

Now, even though my style continues to evolve, it still has flashes of what got me noticed in the first place.

Without that willingness to let go of others expectations and to edit with a little bit more “risk” involved, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today with my little collective studio, EditButter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a video producer/editor and small business owner of a small creative studio, what has set my work apart was the overall style and honestly being willing to do things other people wouldn’t.

When I first started out I worked for free. As in, maybe got a gift card for coffee on occasion, ha-ha. I worked with some big names in certain industries all for free. Sure they would pay for flights, and food, but ultimately I didn’t make a dime. I flew to places like Moscow Russia to film, and did work with brands in Toronto, New York, LA, etc.

After about a year straight doing things like this, eventually they started to pay small amounts for my time and effort.
This is what eventually led me to learn more of the business side of things and better ways to operate as a freelancer. But the willingness to stick my neck out and go broke for a while, paid dividends on my personal experiences and portfolio.

Along the way this has taught me the valuable lessons of taking chances and putting yourself in uncomfortable positions.

I always remind people to do things for the right reasons. Not just for their career, but for their own well being and mental/spiritual health. Do work that matters to you and help people along the way. Even if you think you have nothing to offer people, trust me you do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take then to Manitou. I was actually born at home in Manitou Springs and it has a great vibe and feeling to it. You can go to the arcade, hit up small coffee or ice cream shops and walk around staring at the giant mountains behind you.

I would also take them to places like Adams Mountain Cafe, or the Burrowing Owl in Colorado Springs for some great vegan food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my friend and former boss Mikey Denton ( @mikeydenton ). Back when I got started in film, and honestly a lot of my work was just terrible, he always supported me. Not only would he repost my work, but he would help me find other people to work with, and let me have time off to go film even though it would take away from his business. A very selfless person and deserves more acknowledgment for sure.

Website: https://www.ryanchisesi.com/

Instagram: @ryanchisesi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanchisesi/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/editbutter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EditButter

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/editbutter-colorado-springs

Youtube: youtube.com/ryanchisesi

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user151125380

Image Credits
@danellepainter