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Flying High with Zak Freedman F or generations, when told that a son or daughter has decided to make a career out of music, parents have wisely cautioned, "Make sure you have a backup plan." That's good advice. Carmel Valley's Zak Freedman took it to heart. Freedman grew up in Palo Colorado Canyon and began piano lessons at age 6. "Later, I saw a video of Jimi Hendrix," he recalls. Like thousands before him, he was transfixed by the guitar. "I said to my parents, 'Why did you guys steer me to piano?'" By his teen years, he'd become an accomplished gui- tarist and after graduating from Carmel High headed to Los Angeles. In LA, Freedman found some success with the band Helos, recording and touring for seven years. A highlight was the fact that Helos was among the last bands to record at Sound City, the legendary analog Van Nuys recording studio that produced dozens of hits from artists such as Neil Young, Metallica and Nirvana. Freedman also spent a few months as gui- tar tech for Jacob Dylan's band The Wallflowers, touring with Tom Petty. During this entire period, Freedman held a very un-rock-and-roll side job as a mortgage broker. "I was kind of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," he laughs. "But I needed to make money while staying flexible." He was good at it, and liked the idea that he was helping people, especially first-time buyers. Now back on the Peninsula, Freedman has taken his career to the next level, joining David Lyng Real Estate as an agent. He's also started Blue Sky Cinematography, producing high-quality aerial videos shot from a drone. A drone camera was used during the filming of a Helos video and Freedman thought, "Hey…I can do that." Freedman is still producing music, collaborating electronically with musi- cians around the country. "I don't want to tour anymore," he says. But he's taken the advice to have a backup to heart, earning a living while still sat- isfying his muse. View Freedman's videography at www.blueskycinematography.com. —Michael Chatfield SHORTCUTS NEIGHBORS 64 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 Carmel native Zak Freedman started out with music in his blood, touring with his band Helos and working at LA studios. He now produces aerial videos using drones at his Blue Sky Cinematography, and works as a Realtor. Photo: Kelli Uldall