Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Kraft.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My introduction to the industry begins in 2006 with a small white lie lol. With that being said, I was 16 and received a phone call from a close friend. In excitement, he explained that Pastor Troy was Looking for someone to create a mixtape cover for a single, as well as join the New Production team “TroyBoy Productions”, for the visual media department and future projects. My close friend, in excitement wanted me to take the position and join him, before even contacting me, he had already told Pastor Troy I would do it and could do it. Not even 3 mins after I was told by my friend what was going on, he had already dialed his number, “PT” answered and the phone was placed in my hand. Without notice, he gave me the rundown on his idea for the cover, I agreed and took the gig. With me being young and a Fan of Pastor Troy, I ran with it, the catch is… I had never created a cover or any type of graphic design at all.
In haste, Myspace was buzzing and I already was interested in how they were designed. I had been looking at a few people already that inspired and knew what they were doing such as “Deftone designs” & “Kid eight” and a few others. With me not even knowing where to start, I had about five days or less to get something to him. Trying to figure out what software to use and getting the run around as if it was a secret, I managed to “Google” and find “Corel Paint Shop” I went to the store the next day and bought it, came home installed the software, I then tried to find tutorials and help on how to work the software. I came to find out that I had wasted my money and time and what I really needed was Photoshop.
In a nutshell, I found the software. Learned a few things and turned in the cover in and landed the position. At the time, I probably didn’t kill it, but PT Seen the Potential and from that moment alone, I understood the value of Taking Risk and with good effort and good intention and where it could possibly land you.
No one in my family had a background in media or any type of visual arts, with a deep passion for it within my self, I never got off the computer once I got on it. As the years went by, I got better and better at Graphic design and started building websites, Myspace pages, Joomla sites, Word Press and HTML coding. I had surpassed all my peers who were initially in this field or attempted to achieve these skills. Around 19 years old, I had been really wanting a Camera at this point and wanted to start taking my own photos of people and creating designs. Which is exactly what I did after I convinced my mom to buy me a Canon camera. It was $200 and at the time, that was a high ticket for a mother that doesn’t understand the visual arts. But she did buy it. From there, I started taking photos for graphics and an occasional photoshoot here and there.
While trying to understand my camera and learning photography, I ended up noticing my camera could record video. It’s funny but I did not know this was a feature on my camera at all. I hadn’t even thought of even making any type of video. Even though in my early years between 9 and 12. My mother bought a camcorder that we rarely used for holidays, I used to create small comedic videos around my grandmother’s house. I created a show called pink glasses & PP town, which is Poor Palmetto a city in southern Georgia, where I grew up at. Not knowing at 12, I would re-visit the video world again at 20.
Also in middle school, I had an elective class with my media teacher, “Mr. Jackson” who also opened my brain and introduced me to editing video before I even knew I would be re-visiting this component of visual arts later in life.
All these things clicked in my head, and I started combining and developing all my skills over time. Me wanting to take it to the next level, after I graduated high school, I wanted to go to Art Institute, Scad, or Full Sail. With me having no credit, no cosigner, I could not attend the school nor pay the $100,000 4 year course. What a bummer… this put a bad taste in my mouth and for once, I left the computer alone, not entirely, just until I could wrap my head around my next move. I ended up at Georgia Southern for Computer Science and while in college, I worked with promotion teams in providing photos and creating graphics and party videos.
With the recession kicking in. My tuition assistance program was cut and again I could not complete or attend school, my cousin “ZMD” who I mentioned in the beginning at this time had grew into a Music Producer and at the time was producing tracks for Young Jeezy And working with SYS “sign ya self” a label Gucci Mane and Jeezy used to represent just before The “So Icey” ordeal.
At this time I had moved back to college park but did not want to sit at my family house, I ended up meeting an owner of a Graphic Design and Magazine company named “Mike Haze Media”. He owned a space, In the metropolitan lofts just outside of downtown. He also had a job position that needed to be filled, he seen my graphic design work and hired me immediately. Every day at 9am, I showed up at his door until one day. I was their so much, we relocated the whole office to a 2,500 sq loft, and I moved in. During this time, I learned the grind for media and visual arts. I started making decent money designing websites, and flyers how to create a magazine from press to publishing. I became Senior editor of the company. Mike Haze also introduced me to making music videos. I made my first $750 for one project, as well as had space and office to work out of.
Running the streets, studios, clubs and back and forth through auburn ave and Edgewood between penthouse studios managed and owned by ‘“ty” & Africa’s. HB the Boss had put things in motion, and I was constantly filming, editing and designing. At this time, I was free of obligation no job, no kids, no girl, I slept ate & breathed visual media and all its aspects.
I met a number of artist and celebrities during this time. As I was growing into a man, the need for money was in high demand, I forgot to mention my mother had left when I was 15 for a job due to the recession and through this whole time I had been by myself and a father never existed. With that being said, I was 24 and had to make a decision to put the cam and computer down. To find a job. At this point, I wasn’t making no real income to take care of myself. With me being alone, I had to figure something out.
I ended up taking a paint job for an apartment complex on the east side of Georgia off Brockett Rd. From there, I ended pursuing HVAC license and certificates as well as others. In two years at 26, I had bought my first house & vehicle in Riverdale, Georgia & became the highest paid service technician in the southeastern region of Georgia. During these two years, I had strayed away from the media arts in strides to develop my technical & mechanical skills. At 27, I ended up enrolling at Lincoln college of technology. I did a two years associate program to further my knowledge and gain an increase in pay. I became A supervisor and managed a few properties and staff during and after this. During all this, I had started leaning back into the media arts, after obtaining structure and funds for my living.
Between 27 and 29, I ended up doing a lot of groundwork wiggling my self back into the loop of the industry, working with directors, film companies, editing for any and everyone and creating loads of graphic design art and logos, etc.
While working on property, a friend that was living with me at the time, ran into an artist that needed some visual work, and my cousin referred me. With no current work in hand we started building as this Artist had lots of financial backing. This was the first artist from a two years sit-down. In a nutshell, I ended up having to help this person, they fell into financial crisis, went completely broke, got arrested several times, and as resort he too ended up living with me. Because I had power in the job force world, I got him a job. In a nutshell, I ended up sheltering, feeding and funding this person. Lending my vehicle, creating media to help him start a business and list of other things. I say this, to say a year later. This same person Got back on their feet and as a result, after about six months on no communication due to him being locked up. He showed up at my job one day with $75,000 dollars in the car told me he was coming to pick me up from work, he did. When he picked me up, he told me he wants to repay me for looking out and all that I did. We pull up at best buy and literally tells me that he wants to buy me a new Laptop, Camera, and drone for all that I’ve done And that he also wanted to take his career serious now and wanted me to be part of the journey.
This literally lit me on fire, not even three months after I had all the equipment I ended up getting referred to Quality Controls engineer “DotCom”.
He posted on his ig “looking for Videographer” My cousin Lambo already knew him and referred me with emphasis.
Our first encounter was at Dotcom’s Studio, where I initially went to Record my First Songs as a music artist lol. I wasn’t even supposed to bring my camera that day but I did. While recording, I started recording dot on my camera while he was working with other artists. The next day I sent him the video back.
He called me and asked could I film at the big studio, I didn’t know he meant Quality Controls new Studio they had just established. Once I arrived I realized where I was, I was silently hype. He also didn’t tell me that anyone would be there but everyone was Lil Baby, Lil Yacthy, Jbans, P, etc… and this is a whole six months before anyone even knew who lil baby was and his Hit single “my Dawg” hadn’t even dropped yet.
The next day after filming that night, he called again and said lil baby and 4pf need a videographer immediately I told him I was available.
Despite my light being broke for this event, I killed the video, this was one of baby’s 1st Club events in Georgia since the new deal with Quality Control and the new club had opened called the Venue in Clayton County, GA.
From here I had enough work and clientele to actually quit my job, so I did, I managed to work six months straight without no job which was fantastic as well as my bills were still paid. I was finally able to work in my field with substantial people and live off of it. Or so I thought. Fast forward baby was about to start his first tour. This is where I knew I would finally get a break in this industry and really work with a growing artist as well as make a name for myself. I was called again by “Dot” and was told to get ready I’m going on tour I would be the Traveling Videographer and BTS content creator for ‘Lil Baby”.
With about three weeks to a month for the tour to start, I was Robbed held at Gunpoint and jumped by three guys in my home on a Sunday at 2:00 pm while I was sleeping with my daughter. The police ended up catching one of the three suspects. It ended up being the same guy I helped get a job, shelter, food, transportation, etc. He again blew through every single dollar and ended up in trouble with the law again. With his funds at zero, the last thing he could think of that was worth some money were the items he gave me as a gift in exchange of helping him in the past with several issues.
While taking this L, I could no longer provide my services and immediately got put in a position where I had no way to make money nor continue my journey with lil baby and quality control as they were moving at fast pace and had no time for excuses. After about three weeks, I ended getting a job again but this time, I was infuriated. Again I had been pushed away from my desired goal and passion. But this did not stop me. This in actuality was the fire that set me to be Director KrisKraft. With no Equipment I needed to figure out how to still reach my goal of completing videos. At this point, I no longer wanted to be a videographer, graphic designer, or editor. I wanted to direct and own a film production/media company. I started learning the ins and outs & business of directing and film production. I ended up landing a gig for “Ralo famgoon” & “Nba YoungBoy” Music Video “Rainstorm”. From there, I haven’t stopped and now I have a Full Production Team and I’ve never looked back.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most Definitely not, I wouldn’t even lie. Becoming an entrepreneur in this field all revolves around the person will, integrity, and true passion for this industry. You get out what you put in. Most people underestimate the Push needed for success in this industry. There is no application nor training that can really get you into position because it also narrows down to who you know and not what you know. If you’re in it for money it will never work. True, this is the goal but not the main focus. The money comes and goes you must change your mindset from I did this and that, to How long can you keep it upbuild and create opportunities for others, Theirs no “I” in team and any great successful person knows for a fact, it is not them alone but all the parts moving in unison that make the dream and machine work to move forward. To end on this note, this file is full of trial and error, so get ready because the mistakes teach you 1000 plus ways how not to operate and how to continue forming and perfecting your craft.
Original Kraft – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
ORIGINAL KRAFT is a film production, digital media, content creator & clothing company. We create platforms, products, film, identity and content for the world’s most ambitious brands. Bringing together design, visual audience development and awareness to help make brands and artist more efficient, effective and creative. Covering all aspects of digital media visuals including: Film, Photography, Graphic design, Motion Graphics, Vfx & more. I’m most proud as a company for being able to manage any artist or person’s needs visually. And the unity of the crew once on set. The content that has been created is amazing and I know with time me and the crew are going to develop some great visuals and concepts. What sets me apart from others is unlike 90% of the directors I know, cannot outperform me on the computer period. They may only be a great videographer or great delegating director but lack the skill sets to actually create and craft visual media across the board.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success when you’re able to create, be your own boss, create opportunities for others and get recognition, notarity and make a living for yourself. I look for relationships and communication between people because, at the end of the day, it is the glue between you keeping consistent work and progressing through referrals and landing projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.originalkraft.com
- Phone: 404-447-7523
- Email: inboxkris@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram@kriskraft_
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