Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Keaton Punch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Keaton, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on was the Eunith – “Back Here” music video. This project showed me the value in collaboration, organization, and resourcefulness. At this point of 2021 I had created 3 amazing music videos with Eunith (Matthew Prewitt), and felt we made an excellent team together. We began planning in early August for the “Back Here” music video, and knew it was going to be our most ambitious project yet. Our goal was to create something super entertaining, highly collaborative, and very creative. Our concept made this entire project extremely challenging for us.

We wanted this music video to showcase as many different characters and scenes for Matthew to act out, while lip syncing to the song at the same time. We came up with over 30 unique characters for Matthew, such as: clown, chef, cowboy, doctor, teacher, etc. Production lasted roughly 2 months. Week after week we scavenged thrift stores and dug through our own closets to find all the clothing needed to create an outfit for every character. At the same time we were utilizing our own homes to set design certain scenes and build props necessary for future scenes.

Many scenes required specific locations and extras, so we reached out to our friends in the community. This additional involvement made the whole experience so much fun for all of us, and greatly enhanced the quality of production. It literally would not have been possible without all the extra help that people generously offered us.

The music video turned out to be a huge success, eventually winning “Video of the Year” at the Bakersfield Music Awards.

This project meant a lot to me because it pushed me further than ever before to take a risk with an ambitious idea. Fear of failure can hold us back so often, but this project helped me see past that and learn to be excited about what can be possible if we tried. Ideas like this can seem daunting, but through strategic planning, utilizing the resources you already have, and getting others involved can make our most imaginative ideas come to life.

Keaton, 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?

Hi I’m Keaton Punch! I’m a digital artist and creative director from Bakersfield, CA. I’m 26 years old and I’ve been practicing filmmaking and photography since 2012. I learned the basics in my photo/video classes at West High School, and I have taught myself an incredible amount since then. Ever since I started, I’ve been drawn to magical and surreal ideas. I love creating photo portraits with fantasy, surreal, and magical themes. I’m also just as passionate about creating videos that incorporate special effects, humor, story, and experimentation.

While I was getting my associates in arts in studio arts at Bakersfield College, I decided to make my own brand identity known as Radventure Visuals. Since then I’ve been able to connect tremendously with Bakersfield’s creative community and collaborate with countless awesome people. During this time I found a new passion in making music videos. I love the creative freedom that it brings. and I’ve made dozens of noteworthy music videos since 2015 with a variety of local bands and artists.

My goal as a digital artist/creative director is to be able to utilize my skills and imagination to collaborate with other artists, businesses, and organizations to create work that is magical, eye-catching, and professional.
It’s always so nice when I get asked to do a job for the style that I’m known for, not simply because I know how to use a camera.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think for me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing my creative ideas come to life, and looking back on how far I’ve come in developing my style and skills. With the amount of knowledge and tools at our fingertips today, creating cool and impressive work is becoming more accessible for everyone! Affordable professional cameras, editing software, and free online tutorials have helped me make my imagination a reality. Through years of practice and experimenting I’ve been able to execute my wildest ideas through photos and videos, and I get a kick out seeing people’s amazed reactions from certain projects.

Now I’m finding even more satisfaction by helping bring other people’s ideas to life through my creative skills. It’s a fun collaborative process and I gain a new perspective on their visions, and grow even further outside my own comfort zone. Lately, these have been in the form of song artwork and music videos, and it has been super fulfilling for me.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When it comes to building an audience on social media, you need to be consistent, frequent, and interesting. However, having a huge following doesn’t automatically equal success. Success is different for everyone, and for me it’s being able to create work that I love, that others can simply enjoy or be inspired by. Social media is just a tool I use to share my work, make connections, and educate others.

I’ve learned a few things after using social media for a while and building my relatively small, but highly supportive audience. Over the years along with all the work I’m proud of, I would post behind-the-scenes content, editing breakdowns, before & afters, and call to actions for upcoming projects. I think it’s important to make an effort to connect more personally to your followers. This can be putting yourself on camera for 15-30 seconds and talking about the process behind your work. It’s nice to be able to associate the creator with their work and to know that it’s a real person making these things that others can enjoy and be inspired by. Even if you’re uncomfortable with being on camera, this will quickly help boost your confidence and people will appreciate the effort you put in.

I also think it’s important to create and post work that you enjoy and not what you think others will enjoy. Creativity is such a valuable thing and we all have the ability to form our own style. I may not have a massive following on social media, but what matters most to me is the following I have is built from my personal style, passion projects, and ambitious ideas. You’ll have much more fulfilling growth as an artist working this way, rather than building an audience based off ideas that follow trends or viral challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radventurevisuals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keatonpunch/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@radventurevisuals

Image Credits
BTS Keaton in arcade photo by Manuela Torres-Orejuela BTS Keaton on bicycle photo by Penellope Dills BTS Keaton in blue room photo by Penellope Dills BTS Keaton at park photo by Jason Mitchell BTS Keaton holding camera in neighborhood photo by Jon Nack