We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Louis Kiss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Louis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

During 1990 while still in college I had an opportunity to do an internship as a makeup fx artist on George Romero’s THE DARK HALF. My parents were completely against it as with everything I ever wanted to do. I filed for internship credits with my University and rented a room in Pittsburgh PA without officially having the job. Luckily within a few days I got the call for the gig, I’ve been working in the industry since, and are still best friends with those I worked with back then.

Louis, 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?

I came from a very small town in the middle of nowhere with no access to anything I was interested in. Movies, Television, comic books, and magazines were my only source for inspiration. I was a weird kid in the eyes of everyone around me.

Everything I was interested in I had to find a way to pay for it and travel to on my own. My parents refused to drive me 10 minutes to the only karate school. A school opened in my local community building which I stayed with from 1980 until 1989. I competed in tournaments and did extremely well.

I excelled in my art classes as was met with a lot of jealousy for being myself. My dentist was the first one to show interest in my fx aspirations and showed me how to cast and make vampire teeth when I was 17.

My proudest achievements were winning trophies in Karate, getting my SAG card while living in Pittsburgh doing stunts on a Bruce Willis movie, inventing/patent/selling my product the GRAB-IT PACK which sold 50,000 units making half a million dollars/ability to train people in martial arts quickly and effectively especially with knife throwing and bullwhip while seeing former students of mine from makeup schools I taught at doing very well/created viral content unexpectedly multiple times/achieved 66K followers on youtube organically.

I’ve had tons of rug pulls (was supposed to be a Power Ranger twice, co-star in a Jean Claude Van Damme movie, constant promises from producers and content creators that get cancelled the last minute or ghosted, Game Stop destroying my business, pre-approved for loan to buy a condo then shady loan agent couldnt get it while I was in escrow, recent ONLYFANS TV rug pull of not delivering on promotion or following through on filming promises and content release, tons more…) I can’t understand the resiliency I have or drive that keeps me moving forward.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

2014 I purchased a brand new car in order to transport my products easier within a matter of days: I got in a motorcycle accident, GAME STOP took over the company (THINKGEEK.COM) that was selling my product (my main source of income) canceled my contract, my website was cyber squatted and I never got it back, I lost all internet presence and business collapsed. I was to be on SHARK TANK twice and they rugged pulled me both times the night before filming. I got back into makeup fx and began learning to throw knives and use a bullwhip which have become my side hustles and bring me a lot of attention online.

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

I get a glowing feeling whenever I create for myself or do something that brings joy to others. It’s not something I strive to do but it’s that little feeling that is energy to continue. To feel appreciated from the work I love to do. Watching others create and excel from things I have taught them. Sure I would love to be compensated more but that has been an issue for me. I go beyond with information when teaching just because I enjoy it and love to see someone else get lost in it with excitement as well. The gift of creativity I am very thankful for whether it be in cooking something or being clever when sparring. It’s a mystery where it comes from and I love the feeling I get went it surprises me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shadowacademy.vip/
• Instagram: @LouKiss
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571299898570
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louismkiss/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LouKiss

Image Credits

Werewolf picture is from Wolfgang Van Halen’s latest music video THE END. Steve Munsen Photography took the shirtless knife holding (I have all rights to it) All others are mine I took.