Meet Neko Trocki

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Neko Trocki a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Neko , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose from watching people experience my films. The reason I love watching films so much is because of escapism, as well as the feeling of relatability with the characters on the big screen. If I can capture someone’s attention for a short moment, give them an outlet to escape, go on adventures, and most importantly leave them with something they can apply to their own life, just like movies have done for me! If I can invoke those feelings to just one person, I will be eternally at peace!

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?

My whole life I’ve been creating, as a child making short videos with my grandma to now making films, commercials, music videos, and more.

Throughout high school, I made 4 short films all still available on YouTube on the channel: Token Films LLC

I shot 6 music videos in that time as well, which can be found in the playlist section on Token Films LLC as well!

Just last year, I and some other talented folks I met in film school, started a production company, Striking Studios, a multimedia company specializing in films, commercials, and music videos. With them, I write and direct my own films, as well as serve as a cinematographer on a variety of projects as well!

We have many projects on the horizon, so be on the lookout for our films this year!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Some of the biggest qualities and skills that had a large impact on the early years of my career were: confidence, discipline, and communication. Especially working in the arts, confidence is key, in a sense you’re marketing not just your art, but yourself as well. I’ve learned you need to have a good balance of modesty & confidence! In the film business, discipline is one of the most important qualities. This is a field where your competition is endless, and you have to keep a strong mind while you’re in your grind! Being reliable, fast and efficient, and keeping a clean mind I found to be very valuable. Communication is a skill that’s guaranteed to make you go far in any career. You can never sit around and wait for opportunities to be given to you, you need to seek them! Network, and talk to as many people as you can. One of the best quotes that has been said to me is: “Filmmaking is not a solo sport!” And that couldn’t be more true!

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My mother has been one of the most helpful people in not only my career but in life. Working in the arts you deal with a lot of stress, anxiety, and rejection. Especially when starting out as young as I did, these complex feelings can be quite challenging to overcome. And when times got hard, my mom was always there to get me through it. I’ve been blessed with having such a smart, supportive, and caring mother by my side. She comforts me when I’m sad, she lectures me when I’m wrong, she cheers when I win, and she has been an integral part of my career. My family as a whole has been very supportive throughout my whole career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: neko.trocki
• Linkedin: Neko Trocki
• Youtube: Token Films LLC and Striking Studios

Image Credits

Eric Marberger
Tony Trocki
Ryan Romano
Josh Bigelow
Anthony Niedzwiecki
Mia Nesich