Experience

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  University of connecticut

  Nov 2008 - May 2010

  Photographer/video producer

  Worked with UConn's Undergraduate Student Government to cover events and gatherings for the student government. This included both photography and editing photos, along with videos.Photographer and editor for the University of Connecticut Television or UCTV.

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  Kyowa hakko kirin pharmaceuticals

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2019

  Photographer and video producer

  Photograph company gatherings, produce videos from various events and company values video.

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  Leverage agency

  Mar 2012 - Mar 2012

  Videographer

  Performed media coverage for NBC Sports, NESN, and SNY of Tennis Night in America Event. The coverage included interviews with professional tennis athletes Roger Fogerer and Andy Roddick, as well as b-roll from the event at Madison Square Garden.

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  Dog watch cafe

  Apr 2012 - Apr 2012

  Commercial

  Photographed Dog Watch Cafe for their website and menus. The process included both shooting and editing images.

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  Home selling team, llc

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2015

  Real estate photographer

  Photographed High quality images for home real estate listings with Home Selling Team, LLC. Image used for commercial uses in Real Estate listings print and online uses.

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  Newcity builders llc

  Nov 2013 - Sept 2017

  Real estate photographer

  Photograph new houses built by Newcity Builders LLC. Real estate photos taken in multiple exposures to create HDR (high dynamic range) images. HDR images can show a wider range of detail. My goal is to capture images that convey a warm and inviting living space.

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  The chronicle

  Jul 2014 - Mar 2020

  Freelance photojournalist

  Worked as a photojournalist for the daily newspaper documenting local news stories, events, and sports that included the University of Connecticut and Eastern State College and local surrounding high schools.

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  Blackledge country club

  Oct 2015 - Nov 2015

  Video producer

  Worked closely with Blackledge Country Club to produce an aerial tour video of their courses. The tour video received high praise from both the client and club members. The process involved collaborating with the client on their goals for the video, planning out filming logistics, planning the type of shots, along with video editing with complementary music.

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  Mike zaritheny productions llc

  Oct 2015 - now

  FAA Part 107 Certified

  • Freelance Filmmaker

    Jan 2008 - now

  • UAV Drone Operator

    Oct 2015 - now
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  Variation visuals/millside wedding films

  Jun 2016 - now

  Wedding cinematographer

  Work closely with Millside Weddings Films to produce professional-quality wedding films. Responsibilities include filming cinematography for all parts of a wedding day. This includes leading shooting, solo shooting, second shooting, and aerial drone filming. Additionally, for select weddings, other responsibilities included video editing of wedding films.Testimonial from Josh Cyr Owner of Variation Visuals/Millside Wedding Films - “I’ve been working with Mike for a few years and am fully confident and trusting in his process, both logistically and creatively. When working with Mike on drone-specific projects he is extremely detailed and thorough when researching each location, talking to the appropriate personnel, and following the correct procedure in making sure we are operating in a safe manor. Because of his logistical thoroughness, his creativity flourishes. It’s reached a point where I can comfortably give Mike a project knowing he will complete it from start to finish and deliver a product that is visually stunning!”Josh CyrVarious Visuals, LLCMillside Wedding Films Show less

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  Blackledge country club

  Jun 2016 - Jul 2016

  Blackledge ad spot

  Worked closely with Blackledge Country Club to produce a 30-second television ad spot. The process involved collaborating with the client to produce an ad spot that meets their goals, planning out filming logistics, planning the type of shots, discovery and collaboration with voice talents, along with video editing with complementary music.

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  Uconn extension

  May 2018 - now

  Work closely with UConn College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources to produce educational content for social media and e-learning websites such as training videos, presentation videos, instructional videos, research videos, and informational documentaries. This includes understanding the client's objectives and goals to develop and collaborate on solutions that aim to present their content in the most effective format possible while working within a given project budget. The process involves directing, producing, writing, planning logistics, filming, and video editing with custom graphics and complementary music. Show less Closely worked with the Tri-State SARE Project Director to film and produce a total of four training workshops for farmers focused on livestock conditioning. Workshops were filmed at the livestock farms at The University of Connecticut and The University of Rhode Island. The process involved working with the client on logistics, planning the approach to filming these workshops, along with video editing with custom graphics and complementary music.Testimonial- "Mike's attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond expectations is what made the four educational videos he produced, exceptional. Even while filming in a barn, he made sure the sound and video quality was top notch. His enthusiasm for the project truly showed the passion and dedication he has for his work".Rachel BespudaProject Director Tri-State SARE ProjectUCONN Extension Show less

  • Video Producer

    Aug 2017 - now

  • Video Producer for Nutrition's Role in Sustainable Livestock Production

    May 2018 - Nov 2018
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  Connecticut public

  Aug 2018 - Aug 2018

  Drone operator on pbs documentry "at wonder’s peak: discovering science on talcott mountain"

  Worked closely with the Director to capture aerial drone footage, which included collaborating on the type of shots, planning out filming logistics, obtaining FAA flight clearance, along with following safe drone flight protocols that ensured successful drone flights.

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  Connecticut public

  Feb 2019 - Apr 2019

  Drone operator on pbs documentry "uncertainty: why we're so anxious about anxiety"

  Worked closely with the Director to capture aerial drone footage, which included collaborating on the type of shots, planning out filming logistics, obtaining FAA flight clearance, along with following safe drone flight protocols that ensured successful drone flights.

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  Edge creative media

  Aug 2019 - now

  Wedding cinematographer

  Work closely with Creative Edge Media to produce professional-quality wedding films. Responsibilities include filming cinematography for all parts of a wedding day. This includes leading shooting, solo shooting, second shooting, and aerial drone filming.

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  Stony creek museum

  Oct 2019 - now

  Co-directed and edited a documentary film about the historical significance of Stony Creek, a quaint coastal village in Branford, Connecticut. The film aired in March 2022 on ABC Affiliate WTNH-TV. Along with co-directing and editing, Mike was responsible for assisting/developing the scripting, filming aerial drone videography of the town and nearby islands, additional b-roll filming, custom graphics, music selection, sound mixing, and color grading. Born at the Water's Edge | History of Stony Creek (2022)This film explores the rich history, vibrant community, and stunning beauty of the quaint shoreline coastal village, Stony Creek in Branford, Connecticut. Stony Creek features over 100 tiny islands named the Thimble islands. They are well known for the quarries that produced the pink granite that comprises Grand Central Station, The Brooklyn Bridge, West Point Battle Monument, and many other historical landmarks. In addition, there are tales of pirates and buried treasure, stories about the once-thriving fishing industry, to theater culture that included famous actors and directors such as Orson Welles. Show less

  • Viking Boat Builders

    Apr 2022 - now

  • Documentary Film, Co-Director and Film Editor

    Oct 2019 - now
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  The bushnell

  Jun 2022 - Aug 2022

  Tv ad spot

  Produced 30 Second TV ad spot for Fall 2022 programming.