Kyle Mikami manages SBKZ Media and has been filming full-time for four years.  He is self-taught and films dance festivals, music videos, electronic events, and weddings.  His unique style of filming and song selection sets his videos apart from others in the scene.  He enjoys social dancing in his spare time and has experience performing for a bachata dance team.

Hi Kyle, great to see you again.  What’s new with SBKZ Media?

Great to see you too.  Things have been going well, we’ve been pretty busy lately.  Our client base has been expanding and challenging us with a variety of new tasks that have been helpful for our growth as a company.  We’re already planning ahead for 2019 and we are focusing on bringing more videographers to the team.

How did you get into filming dance festivals?

I was working full-time in Los Angeles for a real–estate investment firm and dancing for fun in my free time.  My friend, Raul Medrano, asked me to help him film a festival in Seattle because he knew I had a DSLR camera.  At the festival, I got my first exposure shooting latin-dancing and I really enjoyed the interaction with the artists.  I couldn’t edit at the time so when I got home I decided to purchase an editing program. After filming the festival, I returned to my normal day job and started editing before, during, and after work….the rest is history!

What were some challenges starting off as a videographer?

The first challenge I faced was developing my own style. In order to accomplish this, I decided to shoot and edit as much content as possible. It took me about a year to establish a consistent aesthetic to my work.  Editing to the track and playing with the musicality and different instruments is really important. Sometimes I use the action or movement of subject in the clip to match a beat or hit within the song. I try and convey as much as emotion as possible by capturing candid moments and using those at certain moments of a track.  

The next challenge I faced was showing promoters and artists the value of quality video showcasing their work.  In the dance world, promoters or artists would simply comp videographers with free passes and that was it. Those days are long gone as the festivals have rapidly grown the past 5 years in size, production value, and overall quality.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is believing in myself and the quality of my work.  Initially, I would find myself second guessing things like an edit or track selection for a video.  Today, I feel it’s best to go with my gut and do what I think feels right for the video or client.

How did you learn to film?

I learned by going out, shooting, and making as many mistakes as possible.  Every venue brings different challenges, especially for lighting. This forces me to get creative and try different things.  I also consumed (and still do) a lot of Youtube videos. I read books, blogs, and picked up little tips and tricks along the way.  Having a background in sales and finance has helped me  with negotiating and the business side.

What kind of camera do you use?

I shoot with a Sony a6500.

How is your background in videography different from others in the scene?

Aside from filming dance, I also film a lot of electronic events and weddings.  I love the electronic scene and how far it has come. I find so much inspiration and have learned a lot from working and attending different festivals.  Weddings are challenging and have helped me tell stories in a different way. I have an eclectic taste in music and always try to use tracks that aren’t expected.  

How are you able to put out recaps so fast?

After shooting many festivals I know what to look for and what shots I need to get.  Regardless of what type of gig, I already have a list of shots in my head that I know what to look for.

I edit in chunks throughout the day so when Sunday night arrives, I’m about 75% done with the full recap.  I also try to arrive early to festivals to film some b-roll, get a feel for the city/venue, and listen to potential tracks that could be used for the final recap.

What inspires you to do what you do?

Music.  This year I focused more on the audio side of things and started learning how to use Ableton.  What drives me to pump out a next-day edit and stay up all night is having found a good track.  A track that isn’t that popular yet and that grows on you the more and more you listen to it. I love using music from different music genres like the electronic scene and bringing it into the dance world.  It gives viewers a whole new perspective and really makes my videos stand apart from others.

What’s some advice for someone looking to get into filming in the dance scene?

My advice is to try it out first and shoot/edit as much as possible.  Be humble, shoot different things, have mentors, and always try and improve with every edit.

What drives you to push the bar and raise the level year after year?

I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface.  There are tons of festivals, opportunities, and ideas I have for creating content.  Like I said, this year I focused more on music production and training second shooters.  Having a team of videographers with the same vision and workflow is important and will ultimately lead to better content.

Thanks Kyle.  What’s the best way for people to follow your work?

I use Instagram the most and try to update it daily.  You can follow me at @sbkz_media. I also update my website (www.sbkzmedia.com) and post on my blog as much as possible.