We were lucky to catch up with Chris Acevedo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chris , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

2013 was the year I really began to learn about myself. I was just entering college and discovering myself, and I had the college experience but deep down, I knew that I wanted to get into the media production world. Not knowing at the time what that really meant. I attended college from 2013 – 2017 and throughout these years, social media was evolving. But when attended college throughout the years of 2013 – 2015 I was learning about traditional media (radio, television, film production). At the time, those were the only options in my life “to be successful”. Throughout the years 2015-2018, I had the experiences of radio, television and even some marketing. In reality, I did not have much success and I had my internship experiences along with my job(s) and even work-study. I tried the best that I could to make my way in the industry, but I failed. But to be honest, the failures in my life were the best moments in my life because I had 2 options. Option 1.) submit my life to a position where I would be stable (which is completely fine, it does bring money) but it brought no happiness, I was not learning, I was not getting pushed within my own field. I was told this was it, and that was it. or option 2.) Take the risk… Funny enough it didn’t happen until 2021. Past the pandemic, past the struggles, throughout 2016-2019. Those were the years in my life where I grew into my creativity, I pushed myself and I took those chances. The journey was not always alone, If I can shout anyone out, it would be Andrew Acevedo, Tyrone Rose, Disha (you know why). Throughout these years, I put myself in situations where I know I would be 100% be uncomfortable. These situations were creative meet-ups, these were marketing events, and the reason why I went to these events. I wanted feedback, I wanted to be uncomfortable, I wanted to be judged for my work at the time, I wanted to understand the language and take the heat because how can one grow? I was hungry and I wanted to grow as a creative.. After these meetings, Covid happened and oddly enough it was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I knew this was the moment when I had the chance to take that opportunity, I not only had that moment to be a freelancer but for those that don’t know. (a freelance videographer captures video content for various brands and clients on an ongoing or project-to-project basis. They work under a producer, alone, or as part of a small team to record footage for anything from a long-form documentary to a short music video or TV advert.) Long story short. my life changed after that, I got a job as a multi-media creator for a college, and eventually, it did not work out and I freelanced for about a year. by 2022, I decided to create a business.
Welcome REEL ENVISION, when I began my career I had so many dumb names, I had Chris Ace Visions, Chris Ace Productions, and my company was going to be called Reel Productions, but as I was sitting at the government center for an hour, (shout out Amanda, you know why) I panicked and ran with Reel Envision. For some reason, the word “Vision” was a part of my story. So Chris Ace Visions became something more for other reasons. The word reel comes from “Instagram reels” with the word “reel” also meaning film in general. BUT with the word “Envision” it also means “to imagine what a situation will be like in the future, especially a situation you intend to work towards.” In reality the word really means that there is a dream for a business owner’s vision. With my logo alone, it’s special to me. The cloud represents that the sky is the limit, with the film tail showing that we primarily film. But the film tail also represents my old logo. It represents how far I have come (personally) but it’s also still a part of my life. On top of that, my journey did begin with Canon, but I helped film a short film for my good friend Tyrone Rose on his short movie, (Behind Closed Doors). That was the moment I got into the Lumix Brand. Ever since then, long story short. I am proud to be using Lumix and I am proud to be working with them. It is now 2023, I now am here to help the brand grow, so thank you Panasonic / Lumix.

Chris , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a creative that is Latino, I do not see many Latino creatives pretty much at all, I have been trying to represent the professionalism of my culture and represent my best work. But to be affiliated with Lumix has been a 6-year journey/dream. I never thought I would even be recognized, even a year ago, my mind would have told me this was all a dream. I got in the industry of just learning about myself when I was 22-24 I had barriers to break, I destroyed those walls, and these walls have brought me to where I am at this very moment. I wasn’t confident but I wanted to feel that pressure, I wanted to fail to learn from it. Oddly enough the pandemic pushed me even more. It has been a lonely journey, but these were the times I learned the most, and I knew that support couldn’t resolve my problems. This field is very competitive, and it’s okay. Even now, I don’t even feel supported by my own city, which makes me think you know what, my work needs to be better I’m still not there. It feels one-sided at times, because ask anyone I support who I care about weather you like me / support me, I respect you and your work, There is no bad blood and I want everyone to win.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I have been funding my own business, It was created in May of 2022, and I essentially freelanced for 5-6 years, by 2022, I wanted to grow and took the chance to build my business, I am still learning, but overall, 2023 has been my best year.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Everyone that you meet is not there for the best of intentions, you will get asked to get work done, which can be photos/videos for pretty much free. You will feel used and it is a very frustrating process because it happens very often. The only way to change that is to be strong, and after 6 years I still struggle with this, Never close these doors. It can help and it can help create your career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reelenvision.co
• Instagram: Personal – @arc1tek ;  Business: @reelenvision
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arc1tek
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-acevedo-864376bb/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Arc1tek
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reelenvision

Image Credits
I have a couple of photo credits. Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2021/05/28/why-a-billionaire-telecom-executive-gave-1000-in-cash-to-quincy-college-grads/?sh=1a9e12ae7973 Legal Seafoods – https://www.masslive.com/dining/2023/03/legal-sea-foods-reopens-at-the-burlington-mall-with-upgraded-design.html