Meet Kevin Stevenson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kevin Stevenson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kevin, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity is something I have to remind myself of. It’s easy to maintain a self-centered disposition, but I try to help others whenever I can. If I have the ability and the time, I will gladly volunteer my time to assist someone in need. It’s not only rewarding, but a civil duty for anyone trying to build something in the community. It’s our responsibility to help lift up our friends, family, and colleagues. Because if we help others achieve their goals and dreams, in return, we achieve ours.

I have asked for help countless times, and each time someone took the time out to lend me a hand, it it is burned into my memory, and I want to return the favor. Passing it forward is one of the more powerful things we can do for each other. It really does make a difference in the world.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Currently, I’m working in multiple fields in the film industry. I just sold the rights of 2 of my feature films, The Party, starring Sara Catherine Bellamy, and my 4th film, A Girl Upstairs, starring Holly Blair. All my films are under the umbrella of my Motion Picture company called On The Brain LLC. I’m trying to market myself as a Director/Producer, while still freelancing as a Camera Owner & Operator. So, it’s been a lot of fun and a learning experience dealing with the back end of production, specifically distribution and post-production.

All while maintaining my bread and butter as a camera/gimbal operator, drone pilot, and Camera Technician. Over the years I’ve focused on learning all I can about the latest technology, so I can achieve almost any shot, by land or air. So my latest endeavor as a camera operator is car rigging. Learning the craft of mounting cameras to the front, side, or rear of any vehicle has been a long goal of mine, and with the help from Cinemilled, DJI, and Modern Studios, I feel like I’m starting to unlock that ability that has proven to be so tough for myself.

In addition to Directing and working with cameras, I’ve started a grip and electric business in the form of a 1-ton grip & lighting van called The Grip Whip, @TheGripWhip. It has had it’s set back. Last year it was in a bad accident and it was totaled with all the gear inside. One year later, I have reinvested into that business and have carved a nice little niche in that field. Providing an affordable grip and lighting package that, not only, satisfies most indie filmmaking needs, but also employs a few aspiring filmmakers. The Grip Whip has 5 different grips and gaffers who drive the van and manage the gear on set.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that I feel benefited me the most are pretty easy to identify. Mainly, because I heard a speaker at my film school say “Never let anyone out work you”. This was easy to obey, because I truly love what I do, so it was easy to work countless hours. My first job out of film school was full-time editor. I stayed late so often, that I would routinely find myself one of the last two people at the office. Eventually, they gave me the key to close up. That was an honor, looking back at it now.

2nd quality is staying humble. Knowing that I venture out of my comfort zone as often as I could, I know I’m never the smartest guy in the room. Constantly learning, I look up to the experts in each field, and remaining humble helps me learn by listening. If you’re talking, you’re not listening, and so I try to listen as much as possible.

The 3rd quality is staying hungry. As I look back at my career, I feel proud of my work and an immense feeling of gratitude to all that have pushed me and helped me grow. Consequently, I feel like I can improve in so many areas and I’m really excited about the future. I have a son and a daughter and feel like I have more potential to unlock in my abilities that I’m hungrier than ever to work.

So, the way I see it, as long as I stay humble, hungry, and out-work everyone I can continue to live out my dreams in the film industry as a Director, Camera Operator, business owner, and family man in the greatest city I’ve experienced, Los Angeles, CA.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
For this upcoming year in 2023, I’m venturing out and trying to shoot more car commercials, more feature films, and more music videos. So, I will be volunteering my time work on more sets to network and work with like-minded filmmakers who are looking to create more. Specifically, I’m looking to shoot more car-to-car content. Partnering with off-road racers, street racers, and car enthusiasts will be a large focus of mine in the next year. Producing 4 feature films is ambitious, but I feel like I have the team and fellow collaborators to help me shoot, edit and sell 4 feature. Given my contacts with many sales agents and distributors, I feel like it’s a wasted opportunity if I don’t. And if there is an musician and/or artist who is looking to create music videos, short films, or creative content, I’m offering my services, cameras, gimbals, lighting and crew to help create their vision. Music videos are a great medium to experiment and challenge yourself. So 2023 will be a year of growth for myself, so feel free to reach out to me for a healthy collaboration, @GoreellaFilmmaker. www.GoreellaMedia.com

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