Meet Kade of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kade.

Hi Kade, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began in middle school, creating films for my multimedia class. I immediately fell in love with the medium of film. I joke that I picked up a camera in middle school and never put it down. I created films with my friends all though middle and high school, Afterwards I decided to go to Cal State long Beach for film, however that was quickly put to a halt when COVID hit. During that time I took a gap year. It was during that gap year that I decided to apply to schools I felt were outside of my realm of possibility, that including Chapman University. However, to my surprise I was accepted. It was at Chapman university that I got to meet many of the collaborator I still work with today. I also was chosen to lead the schools first ever LED Volume Virtual Production for the Advanced Production Program. It is through my work in that program that I got to work with both the American Society of Cinematographers as well as Orbital Virtual Production studios.

Today, I have honed my craft by directing and shooting Music Videos, as well as creating high quality content for a tattoo after care brand called Mad Rabbit.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With this industry, it is never a smooth road. The state of the industry and the time in which I graduated has made it quite difficult. I find myself today actively fighting against AI driven content by many brands that I work with. It can be quite difficult to explain to a CEO how AI ads are performing well not because they are good but rather because people dislike them so much.

It is a very scary time to be a filmmaker, and especially scary trying to make a carer out of it right now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have recently found myself really enjoying the world of Music Videos. Although i classify myself as more of a DP, I have also been directing and conceptualizing lots of my latest work. I have always loved music and felt that it is such a special way to tell a story. Being able to put visuals behind those stories is something truly special. Music videos also offer an opportunity for me to add weird surrealism, which I try to incorporate into every project. It was recently I was sitting in a room with an editor and they looked at me and said “man, you’re weird”, my response? “Thank you!”. it was actually such a big complement to me to be called weird. I think that the world can use a bit more of being weird. I think far too often people get caught up in being afraid of being perceived as “cringe” however, I think by embracing that cringe, you are allowed to be yourself and truly create something special.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I use the Headspace Meditation app every single day. Through meditation I have found it easier to be at peace with myself and create from a place of true curiosity.

Pricing:

• 1K – Music Video Budgets
• $500- Social Media Content

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kademckenna.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kademck/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kade-mckenna-ab427b1ab/