Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Crane.
Hi Thomas, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a freelance videographer specializing in music videos. This all occurred by happenstance.
Music was my first love and I was a musician for over a decade. This all started when I decided to film a music video for my band. At the time, I had no knowledge of all the important aspects that go into video production. After that first one, I decided to film more and with each one, I learned more and more. Soon after, other bands in town would ask me to film a video for them. Over the course of 5 years, I learned and improved my skills. But it was still just a hobby for me.
In 2018, I decided to make the jump to doing video production full-time, as it was something I was passionate about and had a talent for doing. I started my own company called killDevil Films and worked to branch out as much as I could. With any new business, it was slow at first, but then sometime around 2019, things started to take off. And ever since then I have been working non-stop.
As of November 2022, I have directed, filmed, and edited 122 music videos. Some of the artists I’ve worked with include Queensryche, Saliva, Kamelot, Once Human, Angel Vivaldi, Anthony Gomes, and many more. My music videos have won several awards at various film festivals in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to music videos, I am also currently in post-production on a feature-length documentary entitled, “Till Death Do We Rock”, which was hosted by former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield.
While video production is my main focus, I still also do music from time to time, with my most recent release called “Monsters Walk Among Us”, with the music video winning several awards.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think most people out there have had a “smooth road” and I’m no different. It was very difficult at times, in many different ways. An obvious challenge is starting a new business and making yourself known to the world. I think the nature of what I do makes this challenge a little unique since I do not sell a physical product. I sell an artistic vision. So it was a little different than a normal business and took work to build it to where it is today.
There are other challenges to consider that are more mental in nature, and these challenges are never-ending:
1. having confidence in yourself and your ability.
2. being able to fairly and accurately judge the quality of your work – and improving where needed.
3. being able to handle success and imposter syndrome.
4. being able to juggle all the projects/client communication that comes along with being in high demand.
5. embracing “the grind”.
6. knowing when to make time for yourself for your own mental health.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance videographer who specializes in music videos.
Things I am proud of:
1. I was able to pay my bills with my art. This was the first moment I ever felt any “success”.
2. I’ve never had the opportunity to work on a project that ever had a large budget – I’ve always had to be resourceful and improvise and take smart approaches as a workaround to a lack of budget – and still be able to pull off high quality, cinematic work, without having those financial advantages, has made me better at what I do, and I’m proud of that.
As far as what sets me apart – I think I have a style that’s recognizable. Most of my work is of a darker nature. But beyond that, between my shooting and editing, there’s a distinct blend of chaos and stability in my work.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for others just starting out:
1. You have to love what you do if you ever want to be really good at it.
2.The best education I’ve ever had has been experience. I didn’t go to school for my trade, and I don’t necessarily discourage others from doing that, but I found having hands-on experience was my best teacher. I have learned far more from my mistakes than from my successes.
3. Do the best job you can on every single project you do. Your work is your name.
4. Business is all about personal relationships. When you are hired for something, you can’t just look at it as a money/services transaction. You are building a relationship with who is hiring you.
5. I’ve always believed in the saying “the cream rises to the top”. If you’re really good at what you do, and you work hard, it will be impossible not to notice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.killdevilfilms.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/killdevilfilms
- Facebook: facebook.com/killdevilfilms
- Youtube: youtube.com/killdevilfilms
- Other: https://filmfreeway.com/killDevilFilms
