We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daeil Kim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daeil below.
Daeil, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
As filmmakers, our drive comes from discovering stories to share. Crafting content gives us a sense of vitality, while also connecting with those who support our vision is vital. It’s a symbiotic relationship of support and inspiration that keeps us moving forward. Moreover, recognizing our own growth holds significance, as no one else can truly appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from continually bringing films to life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I grew up in Seoul, South Korea. It all started when I stumbled upon something called a storyboard – that’s when my passion for writing and crafting stories ignited. The fire was strong enough for me to make the move to the US to chase my filmmaking dreams. Looking back, I was so fixated on becoming a filmmaker that I didn’t truly grasp the magnitude of moving to a foreign land where I didn’t know a soul.
Life took a turn when I met my wife, my filmmaking partner in crime. Fast forward to 2018, and we co-founded Xylograph Films, a film/video production company. Together, we’ve brought to life a host of award-winning short films, commercials, documentaries, and music videos. Our most ambitious undertaking was our debut feature film, which Gravitas Ventures distributed in 2021. The remarkable part? We managed to recoup our investment on a shoestring budget of just 14K USD.
Currently, our sights are set on our next feature film, all while working diligently on narrative short films and commercials as a tight-knit team under our company’s banner. As a DP and producer, there’s a deep sense of satisfaction in helping others give life to their creative visions. Our home base is now in LA, where we’re not only growing as filmmakers but also evolving as individuals with each passing day.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my view, it’s really important to know what I’m good at as a filmmaker. There are lots of talented people in the industry, so knowing my strengths is key. Like, realizing and being proud of my identity as a Korean guy in the US was a big moment that helped me reach my full potential as a storyteller.
Also, being flexible in filmmaking has been super useful. Ever since I started making films, I’ve taken on different roles in projects. This has helped me learn a bunch of skills naturally. Now, I understand a lot about certain jobs and a bit about everything on set. With this base knowledge, I feel confident to challenge myself in specific areas and earn trust from the team.
And, I’ve found that my social skills have played a big part in my success. Honestly, when I first came to the US, I struggled to talk to people because my English wasn’t great. I also didn’t understand the culture well. Now that I’m more used to life in the US, I can see how important it is to connect with others. Just being a good person really matters.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m all about collaborating with people who value kindness and authenticity as a path to success. The film world can be tough, but that doesn’t mean we can’t support one another. Spending long hours on set can be draining without that sense of unity. I thrive when I’m around people who share my mindset. I’m eager to craft movies and aid other directors in realizing their visions too. Feel free to check out our website at www.xylographfilms.com and drop us a line anytime!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.xylographfilms.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/xylograph.films
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daeil-kim-831a11179/
Image Credits
all the images are owned by Xylograph Films
