Today we’d like to introduce you to David Mashinsky
Hi David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for sports and played high school basketball. When I realized my playing days were over, I still wanted to be around the sport, which led me to sports videography and photography. This passion drove me to found Mash Sports Media, a 100% student-run sports media outlet that provides students with a creative platform to write articles and create content for social media.
Over time, my passion for creating expanded beyond sports. I fell in love with the creative process and continually challenged myself to find new ways to express my creativity. Initially, I was afraid of what others might think and the possibility of failing. However, the biggest lesson I learned is that the greatest risk is not taking one.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I started Mash Sports Media from scratch, working hard to build a reputation for myself and the brand. My goal was to obtain media credentials for D1 sporting events, allowing us to take photos and videos for our website. The beginning was challenging and frustrating—many schools didn’t take us seriously and denied most of my media requests. It often felt like all my hard work was in vain.
Through this experience, I learned that patience is key. When someone tells you no, you go back, work even harder, and come back stronger so they have no choice but to say yes the next time. Eventually, as our website gained traction, I secured credentials for multiple D1 basketball games. This was a dream come true, especially covering Memphis Tigers basketball, a team I grew up watching. Sitting on the floor at the FedEx Forum was a full circle moment for me. It may have taken longer than I wanted, but persistence and hard work paid off in the long run.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Apart from founding Mash Sports Media, I am also a creative enthusiast who loves making videos using software like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. Initially, I focused solely on creating basketball highlight reels, but over time, I began experimenting with various types of edits. My experience includes working with Sports Illustrated, where I filmed and edited interviews with college coaches and athletes for SI’s official Instagram.
Through these connections with athletes, I have also had the opportunity to film and edit content for their personal social media pages, further expanding my creative reach. Recently, I’ve found joy in capturing nature and city landscapes. When I film and edit videos of specific neighborhoods or city areas, my goal is to convey the culture and vibrancy of those locations, creating a unique and immersive experience for the viewer.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I live by the motto, “The biggest risk is not taking one.” Life is short, and each day is an opportunity to live it to the fullest and achieve your goals. The digital media field is highly competitive, and this initially made me hesitant to fully commit. If I had given in to my fears and worried too much about others’ opinions, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Taking that first big risk and seeing it pay off has taught me to trust myself and not second-guess my decisions in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mashvfx.com and mashsports.media
- Instagram: @mash_vfx @mashsportsmedia
Image Credits
David Mashinsky
