Community Highlights: Meet Kristina Latour of Latour de Force Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Latour.

Hi Kristina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I’ve always loved watching montages—the kind you see in movies and on TV that have the ability to incite all kinds of emotions. This love for visual storytelling led me to try my hand at creating something similar but on a more personal level.

It all started several years ago when my parents were gearing up to celebrate a milestone anniversary. I decided to dive into their love story, interviewing them about how they met, their life together, and our family life. From there, I pieced together a custom video montage that blended their heartfelt stories with photos, home movies, and music, capturing the essence of their long-standing marriage and our life as a family. Seeing how much this project meant to my folks, I started making similar montages for other families celebrating their own special moments—birthdays, anniversaries, and even memorials.

It wasn’t long before my work caught the eye of some of my actor friends, including a well-known TV and Broadway actor! He loved the personal touch I added to my work and asked me to edit his TV reel! This led to editing several more reels for my actor friends, and I found I had a knack for transforming actors’ performance footage into demo reels that were not only professional and industry standard, but also fun and appealing to watch! This, in turn, got the attention of agents and casting directors who started calling in my actor clients based solely on their reels! This solidified for me how powerful and universal good storytelling can be, whether it’s celebrating a family milestone or highlighting an actor’s career.

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?
One of the early challenges I faced was aligning clients’ expectations with the reality of creating custom reels and montages. While many clients recognized the beauty of a ‘bespoke project,’ there could sometimes be a disconnect when it came to understanding the time and effort required to craft these unique pieces. It was definitely an opportunity for me to communicate the creative process and highlight that these projects were indeed more than just simple ‘cut and paste’ jobs. It was important for me to establish trust with my clients as I shared how I approached each project with the same care and dedication as if it were my own, and in the case of some montages, even crying in the poignant moments I created!

This philosophy extends to my work on actor reels, though not necessarily the crying part, lol, however I do treat each reel with the same level of personal investment. It’s important to work closely with clients to get a sense of their vision for their project as well.

And now, with the advancement of today’s technology being able to provide the tools and capabilities necessary to create one’s own reels, montages, etc., having the eye of a professional still remains a vital asset. It can be challenging to objectively assess your own work, and having an external, professional eye can definitely enhance the final product.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
As the creative force behind Latour de Force productions, I specialize in crafting professional reels for actors and performers. My training at the School of Visual Arts (and also self-training) has provided me with the skills and expertise necessary to excel in video editing. Some clients have even called me out on (gasp!) being a perfectionist! If treating each and every project as if it’s my own, then so be it. 

In addition to my editing work, I am a proud Union actor, and have trained and performed with several notable acting and theatre companies in DC and NYC, including the award-winning co. The Barrow Group. My extremely diverse career in the Arts includes everything from stage, TV, film, commercials/industrials, to singing with a number of musical acts in and around NYC! I can honestly say that my experiences in the Film & TV industry have enhanced my ability to capture honest and spontaneous moments, making me a well-known figure in the industry for producing high-quality, professional reels.

What really sets me apart is my precise attention to detail coupled with my deep passion for storytelling. No matter the format—be it an actor’s reel, theatrical piece, a montage…I’m all about sharing the clients’ vision and getting their POV across in the most creative and compelling way possible. I love it when, after seeing a cut that I edited, when a client exclaims, ‘I never thought of that!’ I take immense pride in my work, whether piecing together beautiful montages or editing professional actor reels. This business isn’t just a job for me; it was born from my passion for storytelling.

And what fills me with the most pride is how I built this business from the ground up. When I started, I had no clue about running a business or even how to edit. Now, 15+ years later, I’ve excelled at editing, and I have a client roster that spans the US, Europe, and the Netherlands! My clients are incredibly talented, working across all mediums, and many have been nominated for or have won prestigious awards, including a Tony! It’s incredibly rewarding to see such success and know that I played a minor role in their journey.

I’m excited to offer several unique ways to work with me. First up, there’s the one-on-one editing service, where I personally craft your professional, industry-standard reel with the goal of getting you booked in the roles you know in your heart you’re right for. Additionally, I provide a Reel Assessment service, offering live, constructive feedback on your existing reel to help you refine and enhance it.

And then for those interested in a more hands-on approach, I’ve developed a course called “Path to Reel Success.” This DIY course is perfect for actors who want to take the reins on editing their own reels. I created this course to empower my fellow actors to create and control their own narrative. It’s a self-guided program packed with everything you need: detailed guides, storyboard templates, exclusive video samples, essential resources, and my own insider editing secrets to ensure you can build and update your reel with ease and confidence.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Still curious? You can read more about my journey in the AARP article: How 4 Women Turned Their Hobbies Into Cash: https://www.aarp.org/work/careers/turn-hobbies-into-cash/

Pricing:

• Cost of a reel: $295-$495+

Contact Info:

• Website: latourdeforceproductions.com
• Instagram: @latourdeforceprods @kristinalatour
• Facebook: facebook.com/latourdeforceproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinalatour/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Latourdeforce
• Other: pathtoreelsuccess.com

Image Credits
Billy B Photography