Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Murillo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In my 5th and final year in the U.S. Marine Corps, I began doing lighthearted, military-themed comedy skits on Facebook. The videos went viral, and after a successful period, I decided to pursue acting. I moved to LA two weeks after my honorable discharge and began my journey of figure-it-the-hell-out. I spent my first three or so years in LA training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, all the while pushing to accomplish what was required in order to have a successful, forward-moving acting career.
One of the passions that emerged all on its own during that period of my journey was the love of cinematography and filmmaking, architecting the story in addition to bringing life to a character to serve a story. As I was growing my acting career (gaining representation and being cast in roles ranging from national commercials, feature films, and TV work) I was simultaneously working to grow my knowledge of the camera and pen. I dedicated countless hours to self-education, acquiring a camera and equipment, and writing my own stories in order to exercise those artistic muscles.
Early this year, as Covid-19 struck, myself and almost every other actor’s career suffered. Regardless of pay grade or level of fame or success, momentum ground to an immediate halt with no signs of resumption. Time went by, and the anxiety continued to mount. However, with the help of my loved ones and close friends, I was able to shift my focus from negativity to positivity; from decay to growth. It was at this time that I decided to take decisive action with my filmmaking company. After all, as an actor I had to rely on being cast in a project, whereas if I grew my filmmaking, I wouldn’t need anyone’s approval or wait for permission. This is when Kynetic Films was truly born.
Since then, I’ve filmed music videos, award-nominated short films, and other types of projects not to mention the microfilms I produce for my YouTube channel. Ever since I chose to shift my focus, business has continued to grow and momentum has increased; and as the country has begun to re-open, this has become true for my acting career as well! Auditions have begun to flow as well as invitations to projects.
As it stands, the remainder of the year will be very busy, and I remain optimistic and full of excitement for 2021.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think I’d use the word smooth because life has so many variables, it’s impossible to say it was just one long, whimsical yellow-bricked road. I would say, if anything, I’ve tried to make it streamlined. I’ve been careful to shape my life around the dreams I have and the goals I’ve set for myself.
I believe that in a way the road itself is whatever we choose to make it, to a certain extent. Obviously, there is a measure of luck in this industry (as there is in any industry) and at this juncture, I can’t simply wave a hand and make my wildest dreams become instant reality. However, I can lay the bricks down one day by day, and in time build a pyramid. I firmly believe that luck is a combination of opportunity & preparedness. So if one is always sharp and prepared, when the opportunities arrive, you can maximize them to their fullest potential.
We can only worry about what’s in our control. For an actor, that’s training, honing the talent, always putting in the work, being connected with your reps, and maintaining a healthy & creative lifestyle conducive to one’s goals. For a filmmaker, it’s similar with a few twists. You always have to be on the hunt to create something. Whether it’s a new short film, a travel video, or wedding videography. Every single time you get behind the camera, you learn something about yourself & the craft. Stagnation is the bane of any artist, so one has to maintain through discipline and meditation the desire to progress, grow, and succeed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kynetic Films story. Tell us more about the business.
Kynetic Films is small. We are nimble, adaptable, creative, and always under-time & under-budget. We don’t overcomplicate things and prefer to think smarter, not harder. We choose to have a solution-oriented mindset instead of finding a reason not to do something. We believe that Time is a precious, irretrievable commodity and that at no point should anyone’s Time be wasted, be it a client, actor, or filmmaker.
On paper, Kynetic Films specializes in Narrative Storytelling; and when it’s not telling a scripted tale, Kynetic Films brings the cinematic eye to whatever it’s aimed at. As a company, our prime directive is to create something that everyone involved can be excited about. Not just a polite text saying, “Great job!” but something that actually inspires enthusiasm and energy.
The thing I’m most proud of is that thus far, we have managed to do just that. We surprise our clients and we surprise ourselves with the results we get. Even when a project in our eyes isn’t a hit (life and its variables always find a way) we take the lessons and grow from them to ensure the next project benefits from those lessons.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
As I said before, Luck is a combination of opportunity & preparedness. I work to maintain a constant state of preparedness, so opportunities are always maximized. Whether or not I’m the actual guy they need, that’s not up to me. What is up to me is how ready I am to put the pedal to the metal when the time comes.
In retrospect, there have been plenty of instances where one (and even me) can assume or pass it off a sudden success as “luck”; the truth however is that when I look deeper, there’s a direct correlation between how I conduct myself, my state of readiness, and the opportunity that was presented to me. No success I’ve ever had fell out of the sky, every single one has been the culmination of years and years of work, discipline, and focus.
One must realize they are not the center of the universe, but we are all A center of the universe. We are both special and un-special at the same time. Things happen how they happen, sometimes how we want, sometimes not. That’s life. There is no silver platter unless you’ve worked for and earned it. That’s not all to say we can’t desire success and have dreams, it just means don’t become so intoxicated on this dreamy way of how you want things to play out that you become decimated by the inevitable setback, failure, bad result or bump in the road.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmurilloofficial/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/kyneticfilms/
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