Do you ever get goosebumps when you hear people talk about their passion? Well, we sure do! We recently had this experience when content creator Kyle of Kalvisuals shared the story behind his passion. Even without hearing him talk about his passion for his craft, you can feel the excitement from just taking a look at his Instagram account.

After seeing his work, we decided to write an article on Kalvisuals and the content he creates. At Uhmi we are always on the lookout for new sources of inspiration: to know what inspires content creators, what they enjoy most in creating content and what they want to achieve with their work. Our goal is to take the answers to these questions and share them with you in hopes that it will inspire you and help you grow as a content creator. For this article, we've asked talented film director Kyle A. Loftus to open up to us and share his advice for other content creators.

“I secretly always knew I wanted to make films ever since I was a little kid.”

Meet Kyle A. Loftus

As a film director, Kyle is the mind behind the Instagram account Kalvisuals. Kyle is a real force of nature and has a constant drive to make the most out of his life and his work. He describes himself as: “A loving, compassionate, and optimistic individual. I'm extremely hardworking and passionate about what I do but more importantly, I want to live a fulfilling and impactful life.”

When looking at his work, you can immediately notice that Kyle is a lover of life and that he wants to take in all the beautiful things that life has to offer. Besides creating content, he enjoys being outside in nature and participates in various active sports: “I have an unrelenting passion for traveling, more specifically the great outdoors and adventure sports (rock climbing, ice climbing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, hiking, anything outside).”

To us, this confirms that every creator should take their time to step out of their personal bubble every once in a while, to experience life and find new sources of inspiration. To just go outside into nature, embark upon an adventure and do something you have never done before. To be present in the here and now.

His Instagram account Kalvisuals is filled with beautiful images and videos of his work as a content creator, but even before the rise of Social Media he was busy with his passion for creating content: “I first started making videos when I was 14-15 years old. My friends and I would take my dad's old camcorder and making parody scary films and superhero movies as well as film stunt scenes. It was always just a hobby until I decided to pursue it professionally in 2013.” This clearly shows that if you follow your passion and engage in things that make you happy, the sky is the limit. It can be difficult sometimes to exactly know how to turn your passion into your profession, but the will to do so will most of the time get you there. This process doesn’t always run smoothly, but it is important to always work hard, stay positive and never give up on your dream.

It all starts with a passion

In our previous Creator Friday article on Seth Godin we discussed the power of storytelling and how you, as a content creator, can get started with this. A good example of how to get started comes from Kyle himself. He mentions: “My biggest passion is definitely storytelling, whether that be through a visual format like a music video or auditory through a podcast.”

His passion for filmmaking and storytelling was strongly influenced by his childhood and the music videos from that time: “I secretly always knew I wanted to make films ever since I was a little kid. I remember growing up glued to the TV watching music videos in the morning before school every day on VH1 and MTV. I was always running around with my friends making funny videos and just trying to create our own world to exist in, to live in. In regards to actually and literally starting, I just did. I got to where I am today simply not easily but simply, hard work. I didn’t know anything about filmmaking when I first started. I had no idea how to contact clients and companies. I didn’t even know how to properly use a camera. I was just a young ambitious kid who wanted to share his story with the world. I didn’t make excuses or look for a handout I simply got to work. I took my camera everywhere and shot everything that caught my eye.”

We love it! If you have a passion, like Kyle, make it work! Stay away from excuses on all the things you think you need to know and do prior to starting working on your passion. Just get started and see where it takes you. This is something that we recommend everyone to do.

In addition, it is also good to know why you are doing what you are doing. Think about why something is your passion and what elements make it your passion. Once you have clearly identified this for yourself, you create a personal source of endless energy and drive. Kyle says the following on why he enjoys creating content so much: “The ability and freedom to create any reality you so desire. In the world of filmmaking, the word impossible doesn't exist, anything is possible. I love that we are only limited by ourselves, our own beliefs and creativity. My dream is to do what I love for the rest of my life and to live a life that I would want to read about or see in a film. I want to live an inspiring life that fulfills my soul and brings positive change to the world. I obviously have more minor dreams like directing a feature film, working with specific actors, and retiring my parents but the biggest goal is to be happy and to do what I love for the rest of my life in a way that truly impacts and inspires others.”

What can you, as a content creator, learn from Kyle A. Loftus?

Of course, we will not let the chance go by to ask Kyle for some advice for other content creators pursuing their dream. Nothing beats learning from self-made entrepreneurs and content creators, because they can tell you about their personal experiences concerning their successes and failures. Besides, self-made creators are never done learning and improving themselves. Kyle opened up to us and provided us with three of his most important pieces of advice on content creation:

#1 Stop overthinking and analyzing everything and just work

There is no better way to learn than to do. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Take risks. There will always be people that try and bring you down. Remove all the negative energy from your life and stop trying to get the approval of your peers. You don’t need anyone’s approval but your own. Don’t be afraid of the potential that lies within you; let it out! The fastest way to learn and grow is to do. Reading and watching 'How-To' videos will only get you so far. Moreover, you're never going to be truly prepared to be a professional. There is no final exam or epiphany that tells you you’re ready. If you want to be a professional, then be one. Stop studying and start working. Take your camera everywhere and try everything. There is no greater teacher than experience.

#2 Put yourself out there

Nobody is going to come to you for work in the beginning. Reach out to filmmakers and ask for advice. Contact companies and offer your services. There are no excuses, none. It’s either you want it or you don’t. It’s as simple as that. You have to be willing to sacrifice time and money to be successful. You have to be patient and understand nothing happens overnight. Moreover, anything worthwhile takes time so believe in yourself and trust that your work ethic is leading you in the right direction.

#3 Absorb everything

Whenever you're collaborating with other filmmakers listen and learn. If you're taking a filmmaking class or watching a live instructional course take notes. Ask questions and absorb all the details. Read every single day. Books on filmmaking, books on business, books on happiness etc. There is so much more to being a successful filmmaker than just the art of filmmaking itself. To be a successful filmmaker is to be a successful businessman, marketer, organizer, communicator, promoter etc. You are your own business and billboard so start acting like it.

We hope that the advice helps you to give your career a boost or nudge you in the right direction. It is not important where you currently are in your career, because like Kyle says: “The word impossible doesn't exist, anything is possible.”