We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Stevenson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kevin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
Looking back, hindsight is 20/20. I’ve learned a few shortcuts that could have saved me several years of trial and error. So yeah, I feel like I could do a few things differently if I had the chance. And there is no reason to start doing things differently today, or tomorrow for that matter. I’ve lived a blessed life, working on amazing projects in the film industry. But, I don’t think I’ve tapped my true potential as a Director or Cinematographer. I’m just scratching the surface, waiting for my time to breakthrough. So, looking back, I feel that I could have directed more films if I had just taken the time to do the following.
First, I could have navigated the film festival circuit more keenly with my directorial debut, On The Brain. I wasn’t aware of the strategy that goes into festival success. Some of those strategies are communicating with the festival programmers, marketing my film leading up to the festival, and saving enough money in the budget for marketing expenses, such as interviews, reviews, write-ups, cast and crew questionnaires, and creating a marketing campaign. Secondly, I should’ve search for an agent or producer’s rep to help foster my talents as a Director. Building my brand with a cohesive style would’ve been beneficial in securing more of the work I aim to create. And third, I would not have invested in so much gear, and instead I would have rented more gear. This would encourage me to work with a wider array of camera gear, expanding my pallet as an artist.
But, it’s never too late, and I plan on implementing these actions into this new year approaching in 2024.
Kevin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I truly love creating stories on film. Whether it be my own personal films, or someone else’s vision. Nothing gives me more joy than finishing a project and seeing it go from the pre-production stage through the stages of post-production, film festivals, and eventually being released to the public. And when I can help others complete their vision from pre-pro to distribution, I’m extremely proud and grateful to be a part of a great undertaking such as creating a film that is an original idea and something the creators can be proud of. So that is what I offer, as an entrepreneur and a filmmaker. I provide the means and the know how to provide equipment and knowledge to those looking to complete a music video, documentary, or feature film. And I can do this at an affordable cost, or sometimes no charge if the situation lends itself to volunteering pro-bono. If I believe in story, project, or creators, I will do whatever I can to see that project succeed.
In the end, it’s not about making the most profit. For me, it’s about building a community and a legacy that nurtures the idea of creating and finishing something that was started. There is nothing more deflating that having a project stall because of lack of funds. So, I’ve made it my mission to never let money stop my goals. And I won’t let money stop anyone else’s either.
So, if you or anyone you know has a project that is having trouble getting off the ground or seeing the finish line, you know where to reach me – @GoreellaFilmmaker www.GoreellaMedia.com
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The turning point for me as a filmmaker, was when I discovered the American Film Market. It opened my eyes to the possibility of raising funds and finding distributors from third parties. With the market in my back yard of Santa Monica, CA, I knew that when I had a completed film, there will be an opportunity for me to release it worldwide. And having a network of distributors and sales agent in my contact list, made it easier to understand how a movie can make a profit, in turn give my investors a return on their investment, thus making my career as a Director sustainable. Also, Sharegrid has been a tremendous resource as a renter and a vendor. I’ve met a lot of talented filmmakers while renting gear on Sharegrid. It’s not just a soul less website to exchange goods and services, it is a community of trusted professionals.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Having different members on a team/crew can be a challenge to manage. But, the most important lesson I’ve learned dealing with larger crews, is that having a familiarity with each one is vital to sustaining a positive work environment. Having a short hand with each one builds trust. And getting to know everyone allows me to communicate more efficiently, and respectfully. Having a personal relationship with each crew member allows for casual banter, which is important because we aren’t constantly working. There will be some down time, and having interesting conversations with some jokes is important for keeping the morale high.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.GoreellaMedia.com
- Instagram: @GoreellaFilmmaker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoreellaFilmmaker
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-stevenson-04647b25
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevStevensonHD
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyuO4WFTSeHYiHFe7VNwfA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/goreella-media-los-angeles