Today, we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Paul.
Hi Kyle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wow… Big question. Been filmmaking for 20 years. Did a good amount of commercials and low-budget movies in Utah.
Moved to NY to pursue it in 2011. I went to some of the most prestigious and… expensive filmmaking schools and private classes (ALL are overrated) in the world. Did wellish in NY, mostly due to luck. Then BLM hit in 2016, and the major rise of wokism. Right or wrong, most work for white people disappeared overnight. I went back to waiting tables. I luckily would get tiny action-acting (stuntman with lines) roles, but unfortunately, my lines were always given to more diverse actors after contracts were signed.
After I again showed up to the film set (Gotham) to find out that my services weren’t required because my role was given to a less skilled and experienced actor, I decided to take my 3k in savings and try the Chinese film market.
Three days after being in Beijing, I had the largest role I’ve ever had, and I was making more money in 1 week than I ever made in a year in the US. I stayed in China until COVID-19 hit when some foreigners were forced to leave. I came back to America, where I found out the Chinese government had seized my money to aid the Chinese people. I had to start from square 1 again. I was completely disconnected from filmmaking in America.
I worked odd jobs like being a handyman and a mover for the next few years while trying to get plugged back into the filmmaking scene in Utah. Again, I got a few commercials here and then.
After several years of not making headway, I moved to India for five months to explore the Bollywood scene. Almost immediately, my social media exploded. “American actor is in India”. “American eats Vada Pav street food.” “American actor reviews one month in India.” I never lied or overexaggerated my opinions. If a food was gross, I said it. If a street was dirty, I said it.
But I would praise the Indian people as a whole. I love them so much. The country as a whole embodies what made America America. Hard work and determination, all while appreciating what truly matters. Family, friends, food, shelter, and faith.
I think it was someone like me, coming from the most privileged society in the world, finding the core values of a people valuable and worth adopting into my own life. Since then, I have moved back to Utah. Trying to get my TV shows and Movies made, all the while traveling to India and China to do movies and TV shows.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
LOL! No. At the peak of my career, I auditioned about 20 times a week. All day, every day was subways and taxis to a new auditions where I’d then be told why I wasn’t right for the job. This went on for YEARS. I couldn’t afford Subway fair more than once!
I had several scripts endorsed by HUGE writers and still couldn’t get them picked up because I wasn’t from a “marginalized community.” Several scripts were optioned by giant studios to then be told I had to give all writing and creator credits to a studio-approved writer.
Having to constantly live away from family and friends to ATTEMPT to make a living at one of the few things I’ve ever been marginally better than average at.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
Filmmaker. I’ve taken extensive writing, producing, acting, and stuntmanship courses. I’ve trained at Julliard, Moscow Theater, and with Jackie Chan in his invite-only stunt warehouse in China.
Now I call myself a discount Tom Cruise. An actor who can do a fair amount of stunts. I’ve produced many projects. Written many more. I don’t think you’d ever KNOW me from anything unless you’re watching Chinese and Indian cinema. Mostly Chinese. I will do my first major Indian movie in a few weeks.
I am most proud that I’m still going into this silly career where skill is one of the least determining factors for success. I’ve moved to countries where I did not know a person and found some humble success.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3036675/
I have many more projects from major productions not on that list because my role was reduced to nearly nothing or given away altogether.
Before we go, can you talk to us about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
Social media-wise, I’ll collaborate with anyone. I’m so lucky to have found success with social media and film that I’m compelled to try and pass on what little value I have to others.
For TV and movie financing, please email me or message me on any of my platforms. We are trying to make non-agenda-driven entertainment that bypasses the Hollywood overlords.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3036675/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ky.paul/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kyle_paul
