We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vinaris Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vinaris below.
Vinaris , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
a. Every since I was little, I have always loved martial arts. Everything from the philosophies involved, the self defense applications, just how cool it looks, and how much fun it is to practice. Throughout my life, I have had several martial art instructors. But, the two main ones I have trained under have been Master Leroy “Sabonem” Curtis (Clarksdale, Mississippi) and Instructor Hyram J. Moore (Lyon, Mississippi.) Master Curtis taught me a style called MooDukKwan Tae Kwon Do, which is the brother/sister style of Tang Soo Do (most famous for being the style showcased in The Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai series. It’s also the main style practiced by world renowned martial artist, Chuck Norris.) Mr. Moore taught me a style called PaSaRyu Martial Arts. It’s most famously known for being the style Elvis Presley got his black belt in. Once someone obtained a yellow belt in Mr. Moore’s class, a name had to be chosen to represent our characteristics. I once was seen doing the Karate Kid crane kick in class and a few of the students (even Mr. Moore) thought my kicks (not just that one) resembled that of a crane. Coincidently, the crane was my favorite flying animal. So, I was given the name Mr. Crane. As I rose up in rank, many of the students were entertained at how I did my kicks and how wild they were. A guest came in one day to the class and he made a comment that was something like “Your kicks are killer! They should call you the Killa Crane.” That sounded really cool to me. So when I wrote it down, I thought it would look cooler if I change the letter “C” to a “K.” Thus, the name Killa Krane was born! When I started creating my production company, I was debating on which of my works I would release first. I decided to release them in order of when I first started creating them. So in keeping with this idea, the first nickname I was advertising to the public was “Killa Krane.” So, I decided to use that name in order to respect my desire to produce these ideals that I have kept all these years.
Vinaris , 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?
Well, my works are broken down into basically two categories, film creation and writing. I’ve been writing since a young age. Most of the stuff I was writing back then is what is now known as “fan fiction.” That’s basically where I take one of my favorite works of fiction and give my own twist to it. That’s how I came up with the story for my first book “BlackJack and the Beanstalk,” now available on Amazon, along with my other book “Planet Furball and the Heretic Kitten.” As far as film, acting has always been a passion for me. I remember people asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I would break that down by giving them my “dream job” and my “realistic job.” My dream job has always been to be a martial arts actor. If not a martial arts actor, any type of actor would be suffice. My realistic job was to either be a teacher or a facilitator at a youth organization. I got my first acting gig playing a Jedi knight at the Memphis Comic Convention in Memphis TN. My second acting gig was a recurring role as a Jedi knight at the Mid South Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, also in Memphis TN. When I moved to the Atlanta Metro Area, I started doing acting in major motion pictures and tv shows. My first major movie that I was in was the Marvel movie “Black Panther,” where I play the role as one of the Border Tribe members. After doing background acting for a number of years, I felt I had enough knowledge to start my own film creations. The first short film series that I created was called “The Legend of Ghoma-Roi.” So far, I have created three episodes of that on YouTube. I have future plans to continue this story, mostly through a book that I am writing. I now mostly write books, scripts, and produce short films. I have also started to sell T-shirts as well. I’ve started my own clothing line called “Rep The Sip,” which stands for “REP=representing DA SIP=Mississippi (my home state.)” The main thing my potential customers and fans need to know about my works of fiction is that they are straight from the heart. I don’t try to follow a certain popular genre that is current right now. I get inspiration for a story and I create that story.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Well, let me just say this. I had always dreamed of working with family members and close friends when I make it big. And although I have not made it big yet, I have learned early on that may not be a good idea in it’s absolute form. Producing films and creating other works of fiction takes time, money, devotion, effort, and experience from everyone involved. Some of those people listed may have one or two of those skills, but not the rest. Some may 10% of the drive to execute some of those skills, but much more is needed. Some people from the outside looking in may see someone who has finally made it successful as a “sell out” if they don’t bring their friends and relatives along with them on their success journey. However, some people are good (even great) friends. But, not good business partners…or employees, for that matter. Some can even slow down your progress or ridicule you for the progressive things you are doing just because they do not understand the process. Success takes har work and the right tools and mindset. Even though it is very honorable to have the desire to bring close friends and relatives along on the ride, it may not be a good idea.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is basically this. There are SO many ideas for tv shows, movies, video games, books, etc that I have had over the years and I have kept them in my head and did nothing to produce them. Over time, I have seen them manifest by other artists and production companies. Now, I’m not saying someone stole my ideas or anything. However, I felt bad knowing that an idea I had could have been successful, if I put forth some effort to manifest them. My goal now is simply to manifest any and all ideas I have. I could care less if they are successful or not. I just want to express myself while I still have the chance and the means to do so.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.killakraneproductions.com/
- Instagram: @vinariskillakraneproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KillaKraneProductions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@killakraneproductions6070