Meet Kenny Lam

We were lucky to catch up with Kenny Lam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenny, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

Burnout is something many people experience, I’m regularly learning to recognize the early signs of a burnout in myself. For me, setting and following boundaries is key. I make a conscious effort to manage my time effectively, balancing work and personal life is important. Regular exercises, breaks, and mindfulness practices such as journaling and/or meditation helps me recharge my spoons. There was a time when I felt overwhelmed by multiple tasks. I prioritized which task to do first while making sure to take short breaks to stay focus, Focus Keeper is an app that my Life Coach encouraged me to use. I’ve come to understand how important it is taking proactive steps and recognizing my limits not only makes me more productive but also keeps me passionate about what I do.

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?

As an actor, I love diving into diverse range of characters and bringing their stories to life. As a producer, I thrive on shaping creative visions from concept to seeing the final results on the big screen. As a cinematographer, I focus on learning and crafting visual narratives that capture and resonate with audiences.

What excites me most if the magic of collaboration, whether it’s the energy of cast and crew on set, creative challenges behind the camera, or synergy through storytelling that makes a project unforgettable. I’m especially drawn to stories that push boundaries, exploring fiction and fantasy, as well as leaving ever lasting impressions.

My brand is all about self authenticity, innovation, and visual storytelling. I strive to deliver work that’s not only visually impressive but also having deep meaningful stories. Whether if I’m in front of the camera or behind it, my goal is to always create experiences that inspire and connect with the audiences but also experiences that cast and crew can reminisce for years to come.

If you’re looking for someone to bring dynamic performances, visionary production, or cinematic expertise to your project, I’d love to connect. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

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?

Traits that shaped my growth include Adaptability (being able to embrace/ pivot around challenges and sudden changes), Collaboration (building relationships and working effectively with others), and Storytelling (Improving the art of conveying meaningful narratives).

Adaptability helps navigate the unpredictability of the film industry while turning setbacks and obstacles into opportunities. Collaboration taught me the importance of working as a team and trusting others’ in the creative process to achieve common goals. Storytelling is my foundation, whether it be acting, producing, or shooting, everything is about crafting stories that resonate with audiences.

Advice for folks who are in the early stages of their journey:
1. Step out of your comfort zone and see challenges as learning opportunities. Tackle diverse projects to build resilience and versatility.
2. Focus on communication and empathy towards you crew and cast as well as yourself. Be open to listening, respecting other’s ideas, and nurture relationships within your network.
3. Study and refresh your knowledge in your craft, watch films, read scripts, and practice writing or visual storytelling. Learn to understand what makes a story compelling and what connects emotionally.

Your journey will be shaped by how willing you are to learn, grow, connect, and telling your story authentically. Be mindful on developing these skills a step at a time. Remember that every experience, big or small, contributes to your evolution and success!

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed I follow these 9 steps and I hope they can be helpful to you.

1. Acknowledge your feelings – Recognize and accept that you’re feeling overwhelmed as Denying it can make things worse. Telling yourself that ‘it’s okay to feel this way and to focus on what I can control’

2. Pause and Breathe – Ground and calm myself by taking some time to take deep breathes and/ or mediate

3. Prioritize and Break Tasks Down – Make a list of everything on your mind and tasks you can do. Then prioritize what is most urgent and important. Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps can help make the situation less intense.

4. Set Boundaries – Taking on too much often leads to being overwhelmed, it’s important to say no to additional commitments when you know you’re unable to complete the extra tasks.

5. Take a Short Break – Cannot say this enough but stepping away can give you a fresh new perspective. Going for a walk, listening to music, engage in something that you enjoy doing can help you in the long run on a project.

6. Reframe your Perspective – Reducing pressure by shifting your mindset by focusing on the progress rather than the success and perfection of the project. Reminding yourself and your team that making mistakes is part of the process/ progress and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.

7. Support Systems – Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Talking to a trusted colleague or friend can provide new insights and perspectives that you may have missed yourself. Consider professional help or seek advice from a trusted mentor or coach.

8. Self Care – Build resilience by taking good care of both your mental and physical health. Good ways to practice self care is to get enough sleep for your body, exercise on a regular basis, exercise being mindful, and journaling.

9. Celebrate the Small Wins – Remember to always acknowledge your progress no matter how small that may be. Celebrating the small wins will contribute to motivating yourself to keep going but also brings up your morale.

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