Today we’d like to introduce you to Kolby Listenbee.
Hi Kolby, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Spent all my life chasing the dream of becoming a professional athlete. Made it to college as a dual sport athlete (football/track) at TCU. Ended up gaining my acquiring my degree in communication studies, gained accolades as 5x All-American in Track then in 2016 became a 6th round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills.
My Senior year I ended up getting a bad injury in which it altered my football career and potential professional track career. Fast forward to 2018 after 3 surgeries on my hip area ( pelvis, double sports hernia, labrum) I was released from the Indianapolis Colts for an injury. I went through a lot, the grieving process of losing my dream was challenging but the following fall I decided to pick up a drone just to have something to do. Had a degree, no work experience, still injured from original injury and was kinda just trying to figure it out.
I ended up researching the drone and started watching a lot of YouTube videos about how far I could take It. Noticed I had an eye for it and knowing I had a background in going for what I wanted, I decided that I wanted to learn and make this a full-time thing and make some money doing so.
Maybe six months later I was thinking how about use this drone and get an actual camera so I can start with real estate videography. Got the camera and didn’t even get into real estate, instead started shooting my high school football team since I was already around helping out anyways. Wasn’t getting paid for but the reps helped me grow. I was turning out 3/4 videos a week just grinding trying to get good at this new craft.
The next summer I messaged a guy name Brian Stumpf, he was the head director of Student Sports who host the NIKE ELITE 11 and the Nike Opening for the top high school athletes. I messaged him one, because I was alumni for both camps then two there was The Opening final in Dallas at the Cowboys training facility. I asked if I can come shadow and he allowed me to come. Met some great creatives people who I all admire and look up to. I was just coming off my fourth surgery so I was on crutches so I couldn’t shoot so I basically was there for the vibes, made some solid friends that day.
Following year I took on some jobs then April filed my LLC for SVNVZN Creative. Since then, I have gotten the opportunity to shoot with so many big clients, companies. Worked with Nike a few times some with Student Sports and a couple of times with Blue Ox in Portland on Nike’s campus. Iv have also worked with NBC, Apple, ESPN, Blavity, Rolling Loud, some famous celebrities, big influencers all in a matter of three going on four years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has not been a smooth road at all. Dallas has a lot of creatives but not in film industry. So beyond some peers, I have had to self-teach myself almost everything. People like my uncle Keith Ebow and Deante Gray have helped on the way but for the most part, it was trial and error and YouTube. My struggles in being a perfectionist, seeing quality over quantity and only moving on things that move me. Another struggle is that it is hard growing a business and being everything from pre-shoot planning, producing lighting, lighting, shooting, unloading equipment, then going back and working on post-production by myself. Also, naming my price and standing on it. Sometimes hard denying jobs when you have bills to pay for but got to stick with my price so I don’t get exploited for my services.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an aspiring cinematographer. I shoot a variety of things but want to get into the lane of commercial and short films. I currently am a personal videographer for Leonard Fournette but on the downside, I’m trying to create things that you feel. I love sports told in an abstract way. Not your ordinary sports though, if so very against the grain. I am known for nothing yet, maybe my color grading, maybe my past life but I’m in a new environment and I’m ready to leave my mark on this industry. What sets me apart is that I know that it takes to become the 1%, it might take time but it’s bound to happen because God created me to be different. Feel like I can do anything I commit myself to and me committing myself is not just doing it but taking it as far as I can.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Alchemist was good on teaching my to trust my gut and recognize the Omens God places before me, helping you find your purpose. Instagram has a lot of different creatives that I aspire to be like, so usually I am on there taking mental notes. Vimeo is strictly for cinematography so I use it for Inspo as well. Pinterest and just life itself help me create mood boards and ideas in general.
Pricing:
- Day Rate w/o lights + Assistant $900
- Day Rate w/ lights + Assistant $1750
- Music Videos Minimum $2,000
- Content Minimum $500
Contact Info:
- Website: http://svnvzncreative.com
- Instagram: kolbylistenbee18
- Twitter: List10bee_swagg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxtw4mGrutzjLAcXmsPw0g
