Today we’d like to introduce you to Shandi Kano.
Hi Shandi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career at ESPN in 2008. I was an editor on the digital side [espn.com] All the highlights and short clips that started coming to your phone, tablet, or laptop is what I was cutting in the newsroom. I eventually transitioned to producing content for the XGames full-time. I was at ESPN for six years before deciding to move back to Utah- cutting snowboard footage in Connecticut is just not the same as actually snowboarding the best snow on earth 😉
It was the Boston Marathon in 2013, however, that eventually pushed me into the freelance world. After experiencing the bombs that day and a score of other health issues, I was put on a medical leave from work for several months. When I decided to make the move back to Utah about a year later, my health was still suffering and full-time work wasn’t an option for me. So instead, I started to pick up contract work here and there when I could handle it.
Slowly, and I mean very slowly, my health started to gain positive momentum, and years down the road, the freelance dance started to fall into rhythm.
It’s been ten years now – really wild to even say that – Wow. To add to that, I was recently offered partnership in a production studio I’ve been working with for the last seven years. Again, really wild to say that!
I’m incredibly proud of the body of work I’ve created so far and equally as proud of the network and people I’ve been able to do it with; Feature films, meaningful human-interest stories, stories of entrepreneurs, pieces on sport and nature, food, culture, tech, non-profits, conservation and recreation and many an adventure marketing campaign. It’s been a dream I didn’t know I had, honestly, and I am as excited as ever about the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha! No. I would not say it has been a smooth road.
Anyone who has freelanced before knows the kind of courage it can require to put yourself out there. Nobody has your back. Nobody is there to fall back on when the job falls through or you blow it. It is all on you. There is no roadmap or best practices in freelance land, it’s very much your own dance.
So yeah, walking that road for the first time isn’t easy. Learning how to manage your own finances, win business, build trust, create protocol and procedures, nurture a network, find opportunities, and truly, continuing to learn from your mistakes forever and on your own terms isn’t for everyone.
Personally, I think anyone in film is a bit masochistic haha. So, when I go back and read all this I get real fired up.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a partner at a Salt Lake-based production house called Local Studio. We specialize in human-focused storytelling. This can take shape in a variety of ways; long-form feature films; mini-docs; product-focused marketing campaigns; adventure and tourism content and even commercial content for tech companies.
I’d say we are best known for our work in adventure filmmaking.
I think what sets us apart is how we approach our work. When we embark on a new story or project, building trust is extremely front of mind for us, not just with clients but with the subject we are working with. There’s hardly a bigger honor than being trusted to tell someone’s story; be it a human story or a brand or product story. So, for us, we take that to heart. We feel similarly about our clients, vendors, and crew members; we want everyone to be on the same page because in such a complex and layered world like production, putting intention behind nuanced details like that makes a world of a difference in how smoothly things go off and how well everyone gets along and works as a team. Not only does trust create quality working places, but it keeps things efficient. I love that about us.
I think another thing that sets us apart is how we approach our visuals. That might seem like an obvious thing, right? Like, we’re making videos haha. But we want our visuals to say as much, if not more, than anything else you’re hearing. My business partner Sean is a true artist when it comes to this and I love watching him think through his shots and shot selection.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Being at home in Canada with all my cousins and extended family during Christmas growing up, hands down my favorite childhood memories are with my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://local.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shandikk/
- Other: https://www.foreverisnowfilm.com/
