By Moses Leos III.
Look twice the next time you drive through the Spring Branch subdivision in Kyle; you may see an Internet sensation in a backyard.
For the past two years, Kyle resident Christopher Knight has taken a side job as a filmmaker.
It is a renewed passion. After working as an improvisational actor, then as an extra, he took a two-year break from the business.
While working as a bouncer on Sixth Street in Austin, a friend steered him back into the business.
“I ran into a friend who does film work,” Knight said. “I got excited about it and got involved again.”
Here,Chris Knight sets the scene for Bejan Faramarzi during a film shoot in the Spring Branch neighborhood.At top, Knight films Jake Rowe (center) and Dillon Cabitt for their upcoming web short Whale Man and the Shark. Both approached Knight through social media for his production assistance. (Photos by Moses Leos III) |
However, instead of working in front of the camera, he was drawn to the business behind it.
But as a crewmember with filmmaker Carlos Murillo, he saw the volatile nature of the Austin Film Scene and the cliquishness of it all.
“You have to know someone to make it in Austin,” he said.
That spurred him to create his own filmmaking venture: CKnight Productions.
Knight said he works on all aspects, from casting, to directing, to finding grips and production assistants.
He does so through Facebook and posting openly on potential projects. The goal is to bring in those who want to work in film, but want to avoid the “clique” mentality in Austin.
“I created a group for people who may not have a chance to be in film, to get that chance,” Knight said. “Everyone deserves a chance to get into the film business.”
Knight primarily works on short films. He also branches out to web-shorts and music videos.
It’s a process that has worked with local film studios.
Bejan Faramarzi, a sixth year theater major at the University of Texas and cinematographer, has worked with Knight on several projects. Their mutual enjoyment of the industry brought them together.
“We kind of met through Facebook. I asked him to help with a film,” Faramarzi said. “He knows local talent,” including Murillo and local producers.
He and Knight became friends after that and began to work on different projects.
Knight’s process has Faramarzi reaching out to writers who are looking for help in producing their work. Once Knight finds someone to work with, he begins the process of finding a cinematographer, cast and crew.
His casting primarily focuses on the Austin area, but he does bring in talent from outside the region.
But with limited budget or no budget on many of the projects, Knight seeks those who are working in film for the experience.
He says his budget is normally under $100, with the expense going to snacks and a meal for his cast and crew.
He also seeks and scouts locations where he can shoot with little to no cost.
“It’s mainly all for the love of film and connections,” he said. “I get cast, locations, crew, props and everything for free – most of the time.”
Knight’s venture has taken him from Austin, to Junction, Texas, White Sands, New Mexico and to his own backyard for location shoots.
The latter is where he is working on one of his current projects – a story from two San Marcos residents: Jake Rowe and Dillon Cabitt. They are working with Knight to develop a web-series entitled “Whaleman and the Shark.”
Knight, who saw their story on Facebook, offered his assistance to the duo.
“I wrote (the story) while at Texas State, and posted it on Facebook,” Rowe said. “I needed help in filming it. [Chris] responded, and said he could help us. We talked and he added our web-series.”
Knight admits the filming process is a hands-on one. While he took classes in cinematography and directing, he occasionally learns as he goes.
“It’s great. I enjoy it,” Knight says. “That’s one reason why the work I do is for free. It’s for the experience.”
Ultimately, Knight would love to see filmmaking become his full time job. But he doesn’t want to go to Los Angeles.
“I want (Los Angeles) to come to me,” he said.
But for now, the full-time postman enjoys the work behind the camera. He especially enjoys the subterfuge of working as a mysterious filmmaker.
“I love creating film and art for others to enjoy,” Knight said. “I’m kind of a quiet person. I like to express myself through film to show who I am.”
