Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Stevenson.
Kevin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since graduating high school, I knew what I wanted to do but didn’t think it was possible. 17 years later, I’m here to tell you with some help from the people around you, anything is possible… My name is Kevin Stevenson, born and raised in Pasadena, California, and this is my story. Filmmaking was always a dream, but before the digital age, it seemed like an exclusive club where someone like myself, would never be a part of. Growing up, watching late night films without my parent’s consent was always a thrill. Films like Running Man, The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Poltergeist were things nightmares were made of. But for me, these movies were what dreams were made of. It wasn’t until my first year in college in 2002, did I realize I was beginning my journey to become a cinematographer, director, and most importantly, an American new wave filmmaker.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I didn’t have to go far to discover movie sets, the Oscars, Emmy’s, and Indie Spirit Awards all taking place in my back yard. I started out working as a cameraman shooting these event, interviewing a lot of Hollywood big hitters. It wasn’t the celebrity presence that helped me grow, however, it was the fellow producers and cameramen/women that inspired me and helped me grow a network of skilled professionals that made me who I am today. While interning for ABC, KTLA, The CW, and other independent production companies, my father bought me a Canon GL2. This camcorder served me well until it was stolen with a lot of my other gear and life savings. This was a pivotal moment for me, where I made a conscious decision to give my all to the craft of filmmaking. From here, I took any and every production job, deferred or paid, I could possibly find. Which led me to working as an editor. Watching footage, cutting commercials gave me valuable insight on how to improve as a DP, which I took with me when I decided become a Cinematographer/Camera Operator full-time.
As many Cinematographers do, I saved up to buy a DSLR, which turned into a Sony FS700, then a Canon C300, and finally an Alexa Mini. Shooting documentaries, allowed me to travel quite a bit, which I love. Owning gear seemed to work for me, so I continued to buy a drone, Ronin 2, and Flowcine’s Black Arm to help me develop a new skill set in building custom car rigs. Having this gear has made it possible to produce and direct a few feature films, which I’m currently in post-production for my third feature and developing my fourth film to be shoot on location in the bayou of Louisiana, USA. I always hoped my dreams came true, but now that they have, I realize there is so much more I have to learn and look forward to all the hard work that comes with it.
Has it been a smooth road?
By no means has my career been a smooth sailing. Besides from having my gear stolen when I was younger, I’ve found myself struggling to maintain a healthy life off set. With the burden of finding the next job and paying bills as a freelancer, it’s been a challenge to stay in touch with friends and family. There is always so much to do and learn, that I find myself working day and night, and if I’m not working, then I’m working on my own projects. But as a 36 years old, now I’ve learned to take the opportunities in my off-time, to travel, exercise, and try to have fun. Because these experiences will help define you and inspire your work in the future. So, it’s important to make time to other things away from filmmaking, in my opinion.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a co-owner of Goreella Media, I am head of productions and director/cinematographer. We are based in Pasadena, CA, USA and do most of our productions in the greater LA area and travel often to San Fransisco, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and Chicago. We specialize in documentaries, stylized commercials with dynamic camera movements, and producing feature films from pre-pro to post-production. As an indie film production company, I’m really proud for what we are known for – and we are known for our uniquely gritty visuals done on any budget at any location, hence our name Goreella Media. This is what separates us from other production companies. The grit and texture of the look in our films are different and timeless. It has a film-like quality to it. When we work with a client, we go above and beyond to provide them with the right equipment, resources, and as a result, hopefully we deliver above their expectations all while delivering well before the deadlines.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Living in the year 2020, I feel like the affordable technology allows someone just starting out to succeed in any part of the world. Living in Los Angeles, there is a lot of competition, but there is even more opportunities. And the best part of working as an aspiring filmmaker in LA is the crew and sets are full of people with different experience levels, so as a beginner you never know who you will be working with on any given day. One day you could be working on a student film nurturing life-long friendships, and then the next you could be working and learning from a seasoned union technician, shooting a celebrity in a sound stage. This city offers a wide variety of content, which is great for someone starting out. And these opportunities are at all different levels, beginner, amateur, and professional levels so there shouldn’t be any trouble finding your place in Los Angeles, or Hollywood for that matter.
Pricing:
- Camera Operator $750/day
- Drone Pilot $350/3 hours
- 60 second commercial $2,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KevinStevensonHD.com
- Phone: 626 379 2342
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goreellamedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goreellamedia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevStevensonHD
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3136866/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
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