We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karl Stelter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karl below.
Hi Karl, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
My perspective on taking risks has changed drastically over the years – in my 20s, the risk was moving out to Los Angeles to teach myself filmmaking from scratch, with no discernible path other than I really, really wanted to be involved in making movies. But that risk was mitigated by a supportive family that understood what it meant to reach for a dream.
Once I narrowed the lens on what I wanted (to direct), I took a risk putting time and resources into a few short films – and letting go of as many other things as I could. Which, as a self-taught one-man-band, meant letting go of the camera. The edit. The lighting. Stretching myself to communicate the vision instead of ‘just doing it myself’. And that risk was overcome by finding collaborators that believed in me, and I trusted implicitly to have my back.
Now, 12 years into the process, risk means accepting the journey. And as an ambitious filmmaker who came to LA with the (admittedly silly) motto “Dream big, otherwise you’re just sleeping” – it’s hard to accept. But by embracing the idea that my dreams may not come true, that the process of creation is more important than the result – I’ve given myself a lifetime to create, not a narrow window of time to succeed.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Growing up I never saw myself as an artist – that was reserved for painters, sculptors, and generally people who made things that would go in museums. “Boooooring” a younger Karl would probably say.
At the same time, I was always interested in asking “why” – why we’re here. What’s in outer space? What’s after that? What about BEFORE the Big Bang?! I even remember in church asking a pastor in front of the congregation if god made us, who made god? He wasn’t a big fan of that question, but my parents loved that I wasn’t afraid to ask.
However it wasn’t until after college that I connected the dots that art could be an exploration of those very questions. It just wasn’t on my radar – but once it was…I was obsessed.
In the thirteen years that followed, I taught myself filmmaking, started a production company, wrote an original sci-fi pilot “PULSE” that was recognized by the Austin Film Festival, and directed and produced three short films including (DIS)CONNECTED, which just screened at AFF 2023.
https://www.disconnectedshortfilm.com/
Looking ahead, we’re already developing (DIS)CONNECTED into a feature, where I am excited to leverage the relationships I’ve built to create something truly special.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Everyone will move forward on their own path, on their own time – however looking back on my own journey, there were three things that absolutely made a difference.
Iteration. It’s not enough to try something new – you need to methodically assess what you did well, and what you could do better next time. Visualize it. Feel it in your bones before moving on. And then do it again, and again, and again. Facing your weaknesses and understanding your strengths will move you forward as a person and as a filmmaker.
Connecting Laterally. It’s tempting as you’re starting out to try and network with people who are levels “above” you – but it’s actually your collaborators and peers that are the most important. Find the people with passion, that you see eye to eye with, that you hold the same values with – and build your core team around them. Growing together is far more important than trying to be ‘seen’ by someone you think could help your career.
Expressing Gratitude. Everyone on your project is there for a common cause, and making sure they feel heard and seen for their contributions is incredibly important. From the PA who is there to learn, to your DP who carried your ass through some difficult scene – make sure everyone is recognized and feels good working on set. I would even argue that the tone you create on set is more important than the result – you may be the only one to recognize a “mistake” in a shot, but everyone will remember that you led a set with integrity.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
When my Dad was 21, his father (my grandfather) passed away. My Dad took over the family business as people tried to get him and my Grandma to sell it – some even going so far as to pitch them at the funeral. But my Grandma believed in my Dad. And he continued the family business for the next 40+ years, I’m sure with hopes that maybe I would continue in his footsteps.
So when I came to my parents at 24 to tell them I wanted to move to Los Angeles to teach myself filmmaking, with no definable career path, I expected some push back. In fact, he probably could have convinced me to stay pretty easily. A few words. A look, even.
Instead they supported my decision. They give me permission to try something new, and to fail.
They’ve come to every major premiere, supported every win, and been there for every loss.
They were there for me – and that’s something that transcends work, and it’s what I want to bring to my children as they grow older.
Who knows, maybe they’ll both want to be electrical engineers like their Grandpa!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karlstelter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlstelter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karl.stelter.5/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlstelter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/karlstelter
- Other: https://vimeo.com/772871595 https://www.disconnectedshortfilm.com https://journeymenstudios.com
Image Credits
Rachel Stelter
