Kai Neville

Kai Neville filming a surfer on a wave (http://espn.go.com (Jason Kenworthy))

I first became aware of Kai Neville when I watched a few of his surfing films like Dear Suburbia and Lost Atlas. I had been surfing for a while and I had heard many recommendations to watch his movies, as they were said to be stunning and cutting-edge. I decided to watch one and was fascinated by the surfing and film making skills displayed in the movies. Obviously, I was drawn to the way the surfers glided across beautiful waves, but I also noticed the unique, abstract style the movies were filmed in. From the editing to the music, the movie was amazing and after watching one I wanted to watch another. I also have been drawn to the life that Kai Neville lives, one where he is free to travel, surf, and make a large contribution to society. The possibility of becoming a professional surfer is very slim, but there are many other careers in the surf industry. I have always enjoyed photography and journalism and I see film making as another amazing career. Not only can you work in the field shooting film of surfers, you can also work on the technical side, mixing music and editing film. I am also drawn to the lifestyle that Kai Neville lives where he can travel the world. I have always loved traveling and being able to visit unique places around the world would make my job a lot better. I would be able to immerse myself in the cultures of the world and, like Kai Neville has done, be able to put these experiences into my work.

The film making career is one of excitement and fun; however it also takes a lot of time and effort. While the salary for a film director or producer ultimately depends on movie sales, the Bureau of Labor Statistics website states that the average film director or producer makes $71,350 per year. Also, the pay depends on the films you make such as the success or size of the production, and it can also depend on what company you work for. As an independent filmmaker the money may be less as it depends on ticket and movie sales, so that one year a filmmaker can make only a couple thousand dollars while another year they could make over a million dollars. As an independent filmmaker you have a wide-range of tasks, as you have to be the overall manager of the film, including the actual filming, editing, managing workers, and promoting the movie. He or she must also budget the film for costs for actors, producers, and crew and still add in the costs of travel and set locations. This job requires a lot of organization, and also a lot of creativity as you must be able to develop a script and make your movie interesting enough to prompt ticket and DVD sales. There are many ways to enter the film making career, but a good place to start is by going to a good film school and learning proper techniques. Then by joining a film company or an already famous movie director, you can work in many of the jobs of the industry. While developing your skills in the film careers as a scriptwriter, editor, camera operator, and even a director you can work your way to becoming an independent filmmaker. Once you have made a name for yourself and mastered your skills, you can start to produce your own movies.

Kai Neville relaxing (encyclopediaofsurfing.com (Nate Lawrence))

While growing up, Kai Neville was immersed in the surf industry. In the online biography about Kai Neville, Encyclopedia of Surfing, it was stated that he showed a natural talent for film making from a young age when he took film as an elective class in high school. After that his interest began to grow and he ended up going to Griffith University for film. After working for Australia Surfing Life Magazine, he was hired by Taylor Steele, a prominent filmmaker, where he edited and was the primary videographer for him. After developing his technique and skills he produced his first solo film in 2010, Modern Collective. Then he produced the films Lost Atlas in 2011, What Youth in 2012, Dear Suburbia in 2012, and Bending Colours in 2012. He won two Surfer Poll Awards Movie of the Year in 2010 for Modern Collective and in 2012 for Dear Suburbia. His work has been lauded as having set a new bar for surfing films. Many of the abstract filming and editing that have made his movies so amazing have come from his immersion into cultures all around the world. The extraordinary surfing, artistic style, music, and editing have made his movies like no other and have made a large impact on the surf culture. Currently he just produced a new film, Cluster that has been premiered in February and is making a tour across movie theaters in early 2015.

Kai Neville at Surfer Poll with famous surfers (http://www.surfermag.com/ (Grant Ellis))

Kai Neville has contributed to society through his creative, documentary work. He has made films that have completely changed the art of surf film making. Kai Neville is also an example of how to be ambitious and successful if your life. He was able to make a hobby he liked into a successful and exciting career. Kai has also taken risks and thought out of the box for his movies, which is what has made him so successful. This has also helped him gain great respect in the surf community from top surfers such as Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, and John-John Florence who have even starred in a few of his films. Also, the way he puts new ideas into each of his movies, really has made a difference and impacted the surf industry. He stands as a role model, as he lives a life free from the regular rut of working in the office, and lives the dream of traveling the world doing what he loves. The way Kai Neville has lived is greatly exemplified in this quote. "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" (Confucius). An important lesson to be taken from what Kai Neville has done is to take risks and to follow your heart.

To become like my role model, Kai Neville, I will have to follow a plan to be successful. As I have already immersed myself in the surf culture and art, I will be able to understand what kind of films the industry would need. However, I must develop filming techniques and skills. During high school, I will start my progression towards becoming an independent filmmaker. In high school, I will take film as my elective class to learn the basic skills. Since Southern California has a number of well-known surf magazines, I will try to get a job at one. Using my connections in Southern California, after working for a surfing company or magazine, I could then hopefully work for or under a filmmaker like Kai Neville or others in the industry. During this time I would be going to a four year university where I would earn a major in film and also maybe a double major or minor in business. Then after college and working my way up through a film company, I could earn a name for myself. Then once I start my own company or movie, I can hire actors and a crew. This would be my final step as I could then work for myself and make my own independent movies. According to the book, Spike Lee: Director (Black Americans of Achievement,) Spike Lee once said, "All directors are storytellers, so the motivation was to tell the story I wanted to tell. That's what I love." I want to be able to express stories that are not only important and relate to me, but can also move others. There are many genres that I would want to focus on from nature film to surf film to documentaries of rising problems around the world. My main goal is to make films that will affect others and leave a lasting impact. The lifestyle is also important to me as I do not want to be stuck in some day to day job doing boring work. I want to be able to travel the world making films and having a good time with my friends. I also know that through my hard work and ambition that I can become successful and live a life I can truly enjoy.