We were lucky to catch up with Lucas Kastner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lucas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any key partners or vendors – if so, how’d you find them and start working with them?
This is an interesting question. And, one I think about quite often. The entire process of building my professional career started a lifetime ago. Initially, I started, as most people do, by working in various service and retail industries until landing my first career role. As I was learning the art of social interaction (with customers and coworkers) it became very clear that first impressions matter. We’ve all heard the old colloquialism, “You only get one opportunity to make a first impression.” It’s important to keep in mind that even if this first impression is great or outstanding, the level to which someone will reuse or refer your services is still not set in stone. Of course, follow-up during a business deal is a key component. However, ongoing proactive development of that business relationship is pivotal in developing long-term relationships that transcend a typical business deal. Indeed, this type of ideology leads to, not only solid business relationships, but solid personal relationships as well. People might think that this concept is no longer valid and that people are uninterested. I can tell you that is not true.
When it came time to create and build my business I utilized people I had met, and worked with along the way, as I was building my career. These individuals included actors, writers, producers, cinematographers, makeup artists, lighting/stage lighting professionals…and so much more. My most recent project was a commercial I created for my new company Envaio Media. I knew that I wanted talented and dedicated cinematographers, lighting and stage lighting people, for this particular project, as it was going to be filmed in a beautiful historic theater. This theatrical venue is notoriously known for being hard to film in as the final scenes/shots tend to come out darker than desired. Without the right professionals, there would have been no commercial. Fortunately, I had a few people in mind whom I had worked with on previous films. The only question was their availability in conjunction with the availability of the venue. Thus, the phone calls, text messaging, and emails began. After a couple of days, I was able to schedule everyone accordingly. The next step…filming the commercial.
The team that I work with, on a consistent basis, works with me and my company because I run a professional organization that treats everyone in a genuine, upfront, and respectful manner. Their input, regarding the creative process, is paramount. They know that when I create a project it’s going to be fun, insightful, compelling, and something we will all be proud of when completed.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My professional journey began in my late teens/early twenties. I was driven and knew what I wanted to achieve and create for myself and for the world. As with most people, I needed to earn an income in order to remain financially viable while creating the life I really desired in the entertainment industry. In my early twenties, I landed my first job in the telecommunications/technology sector. All the while, I was taking acting classes, getting headshots, auditioning, modeling, and working on everything from commercial work to indie film. Eleven years ago I decided to ramp-up my efforts to create this new life and began working, even more diligently, by resuming my acting classes/training and by increasing my auditioning schedule. The time and focus paid off and I began booking indie film after indie film.
A curious thing began taking place. Hollywood was changing. The ways in which actors could build their careers and showcase their work was transforming. Now, we could create our own content in the form of podcasts, video podcasts, streaming series, commercials, and film (short film or full length). I figured, why wait for someone to give me permission to take on a role in their film? I’m going to write my own content, act in it, direct it, and bring other actors and creatives along for the ride. It was the best decision I have ever made. For me the next step seemed obvious…start a media company. That is exactly what I did. I wanted to find a way to incorporate all the skillsets I had acquired over the course of my lifetime and implement them into two initial divisions of my company. The first division would be entertainment related. The second division would be communication technology related. I felt this was genius. Although, it may seem like there would be no convergence between the two divisions, in terms of products and solutions, there have been situations when my company was hired to provide communication solutions technology and then created an internal training video for that same company. You never know how opportunities will present themselves.
The entertainment division is capable of creating commercials, instructional corporate training videos, streaming content, film (short film or full length), documentaries, social media content, et cetera. Envaio Media can also create, launch, and manage certain types of advertising campaigns. The communication technology division provides everything inclusive of network connectivity related infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the communication tools (software) necessary to keep your company connected internally and with your customers (additional details can be found on the communications services page of our website).
I incorporated my company August of 2022. Although a new company, I’m excited regarding where this journey will lead. The core items I feel differentiate Envaio Media would be our dedication to a fantastic customer experience, creating an inclusive space in which everyone can create and tell their stories with integrity and without reservation, and a company in which authentic collaboration drives success.
We look forward to working with you.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Can I share a story, from my journey, that illustrates my resilience? There have been many. A recent example involves the incorporating of my company back in August of 2022. When I decided last year to take the leap, leave my corporate career, and start my own company, I had no idea regarding some of the challenges I would need to overcome. When I prepared to make this transition I put together a business plan and allocated a certain amount of money for creating and running the company as well as for my daily living expenses. After the company was incorporated and the necessary items implemented, I began planning the creation of my next project…a short film (which I eventually wanted to make into a full length film). I started the process, began scouting and securing the venues, hiring the actors, hiring the cinematographers, obtained applicable filming permits, purchased production insurance, et cetera. Even better news was that I was a full two-weeks ahead of schedule. Everything seemed to be inline with the universe. I was a happy camper.
One-week prior to the first day of filming I decided to use a dating app and go on a date. Needless to say, I had no idea what would happen next. I’m going to provide a high-level explanation. I arrived at the agreed upon location, for the date, only to find that there was more than one individual waiting. I was confused. But, very quickly realized that this was not going to go well. I was brutally assaulted. Because of the physical extent of my injuries I felt it was best to reschedule the production of my film. I’m the last person to reschedule a production. However, given the circumstances I really had no other choice. The film was postponed. In addition to dealing with my physical injuries, postponing my film resulted in a substantial financial loss.
Six-months later, I was ready to move forward again. Thankfully, the company I hired to do the cinematography was incredibly understanding and allowed me to utilize the previously paid deposit to finance another project. The question? What project should I do now? I needed to ensure that whatever I chose to do would fit within the amount of the deposit as I had no additional money I could allocate at that point in time. So, I decided…I’m going to make a commercial for my company. This would be the first commercial I had ever made for Envaio Media. The commercial was a success and greatly helped to build Envaio Media’s brand recognition. The idea I really want to emphasize is that people never quit. No matter how difficult the challenge better times and success are always right around the corner. Our job as people? To determine the next right moves. Life will beat us up and knock us down flat on our faces. But, if we continue getting up each and every time. If we continue facing adversity with unwavering will and intention. If we rise, with focus and purpose, in every difficult circumstance. We will find success, fulfillment, and purpose.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! The ultimate end goal, for me and my company, is to help people connect, communicate, experience success, build and grow their passions, and live a life they truly desire. From the entertainment side of the company the result(s) of these goals would be to create a tangible product in the form of quality cinematic art. Something myself and many others, in the entertainment industry, do not want to see lost to history. If executed properly, this cinematic art would create hope for the viewers watching. Something which is currently in short supply on our planet today. But, is always in high demand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.envaio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucas.kastner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lucas.Nathaniel.Kastner
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/lucaskastner
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucas_kastner
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnvaioMedia
- Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.me/lucas.kastner
Image Credits
Photographer: Nicholas J. Reid