iPhone X Filmmaker: A Journey to Recovery
Recently we have been putting some questions to some of our more active Facebook group members. It’s great to hear the inspiring stories from people like you and me, taking their smartphones and making a filmmaking success of it. Last time we spoke to Anna about how she started earning a living shooting with a Samsung S9 Plus.
Our second chat is with a filmmaker who has lifted himself up from adversity and turned his life around.
First, please introduce yourself
My name is CT Knight, I am veteran, former drug addict, motivational speaker, professional videographer, photographer, and aspiring filmmaker. Hell of a list.
When it comes to smartphone filmmaking, what are you up to and what are your goals?
Presently, 3 projects are at the forefront of my schedule. My friend and mentor Von Carter and I are launching a media company by the name of DocuClip Media with the goal of taking over the world pinky and the brain style only with video. I’m also privileged to be taking on a second film project with Seth Whitted, another friend I hold in high regard both personally and professionally.
That projects are top secret for now. All while diving deeper and deeper into the world of music video directing. Ultimately I’d like to take on more commercial work and sharpen my skills to the point we can shoot, edit, and distribute our own full length feature films and documentaries.
What is your creative background? Did you study film, other than teaching yourself?
I began engineering audio at a young age even taking my first paycheck from a Texas Roadhouse and spending every dime on a digital 4 track recorder, much to my mother’s dismay. I’d say I’ve always had that creative spark however the idea of being a videographer, never mind a filmmaker, always seemed far to far fetched. I’ve struggled with addiction my entire life so it wasn’t until I got sober, then bored, that I came up with the idea to start a vlog telling stories about my life that I thought would be both entertaining and inspiring. I studied every YouTube tutorial I could find, and the rest is history.
How did you get into making films on smartphones?
Originally I shot everything on a Nikon D5300 and edited using Adobe Premier. It wasn’t until it was recommended I purchase an iPhone 6 that everything changed. At the time the quality of the photos blew my mind and once I discovered mobile filmmaking was an art in and of itself I was hooked.
Having the ability to shoot, edit, and distribute all from my phone became an addicting workflow and seeing the disbelief in clients faces when I tell them I did it all on a phone became a much sought after form of recognition.
Are you a working filmmaker? In other words, do you get paid for it or is that something you aspire to?
I’m a working videographer. I wouldn’t say working filmmaker just yet because I haven’t been officially paid to work on any films, however, that is ultimately the goal.
You mention you are a veteran, so that must be an important part of your journey. Can you tell us more about that experience?
Absolutely! I joined the Army in 2005 when I found out I was having a son. I spent my first year in Korea, then two deployments to Iraq. One of my only regrets in life is not picking up a camera sooner. I would have loved to shoot in both countries.
How did it change the direction of your life?
More than anything the military taught me discipline and accountability and through that I developed a serious sense of self-motivation. I spent a lot of my younger days being bullied so I was determined to learn how to fight which led to MMA and being a full time combatives instructor. If I like it, I LOVE it so no matter what I do I’m all in all the time. That type of mentality can be both good or evil depending on what your doing.
In what way has it informed your creativity?
I wouldn’t say the Army assisted in my creativity but it did help me develop the tools needed to be a better creative, or at least a more productive one.
You also say you were a drug addict. It’s good to know it’s something in your past now. Can you tell us more – about your recovery and any part your creativity, photography and filmmaking played in that recovery process?
Oh man, where to start? I grew up in a household where drugs were used daily so there isn’t much mystery when recounting how I got in this position. I tried rehab three times and wasn’t successful until my third try when I realized there was no magic advice or tool the counselors could give me to fix this, it was me that had to change my perspective on life and rearrange my priorities. In a way you can say addiction brought me to videography and photography because vlogging my experiences is what got me interested in filmmaking in the first place. Although I don’t do weekly vlogs anymore I still do a weekly “show” on Facebook, for an author by the name of Lorelie Rozzano, where I’m working my way through her book series and giving my opinion on each chapter. I try to keep it both informative and entertaining. The viewers decide how well I’m doing.
You say your iPhone working flow is addictive. Has one healthy addiction taken over from an unhealthy one?
Like I said a moment ago, if I like it I LOVE it but I wouldn’t say I traded addictions, I’d say I’m making that mentality work for me in a non-destructive way. I’ll always be an addict, I just won’t be using drugs.
How much has photography and filmmaking helped you in regard to previously being an addict? (this is a bit of a leading question so feel free to say “it hasn’t” haha)
It helps me occupy my time. In my mind nothing with assist in your relapsing faster than boredom so staying busy with various projects is a huge benefit to me.
What are your favourite projects you have worked on, paid or unpaid?
I can’t say I have a favourite right now. I’m having a blast doing these videos for Ulanzi using their anamorphic lens and I have projects I’ve enjoyed working on, however, I believe my favourite project is still ahead of me and I look forward to us meeting.
What do you like or dislike about smartphone filmmaking?
There isn’t much to dislike honestly. We deal with much of the same issues as traditional filmmakers, equipment upgrades, etc. So I think if you embrace the art of filmmaking as a whole then whether you shoot with a phone or camera is of no consequence. Oh and shooting low light, big problem with a smartphone.
What equipment do you use?
Oh man now this is a list!! I shoot with my iPhone XS/Filmic Pro, edit using LumaFusion also on my phone. Smooth Q gimbal, Zecti camera cage, an abundance of lenses from Moment (of course), Ulanzi, Apexel, etc. K&F Variable ND filter, Kingjoy fluid head tripod, GVM LED lights, and my iPad.
How useful are the MoMo Facebook group and filmmaking posts?
Extremely! Whether it’s keeping up to date with new and future equipment, to corresponding with like minded creators, I find a great deal of my information and motivation within the group and various articles on the MoMo website.
How do you find filming with a iPhone X?
The iPhone X was a much needed upgrade from my iPhone 6 and worked well. However when I learned the iPhone XS had a slightly larger sensor, thus making it a bit better in low light, to me that warranted an upgrade. However I’m not quite sold on the iPhone 11 just yet so I’m waiting for the 2020 phone to see what that has to offer.
What do you see for yourself regarding filmmaking in the future?
I foresee happiness in abundance doing the thing I love the most with the people I care about. I’m currently looking for more commercial work and developing a consistent schedule. I also have a few passion projects that I am currently in the writing phase of developing, as well as shooting and posting more MereGear episodes on my YouTube channel, so staying tuned via Facebook.com/officialctknight, Instagram.com/ctknightofficial would be your best bet and much appreciated.
Anything else you want to add?
I would just like to thank a few people for assisting me with getting to where I am. The men on this list are all creators that far surpass me in skill level and deserve the recognition. Von Carter (Derrell Carter), Seth Whitted, and Darian Burden. If you don’t know who they are a simple Facebook search will assist you in their discovery. Definitely worth the search.
What advice would you give to people thinking about getting shooting a film for the first time?
Do it! Do it and do it now. A majority of the knowledge is free. Sites like this one, hundreds if not thousands of tutorials on YouTube, Facebook groups, etc, are all at your disposal. If I’ve done nothing else I hope I’ve at least showed a few people that the excuse you don’t have a camera is just that, an excuse. I shoot 90% of all my projects with zero extra lenses or gear. Just my phone. No magic here, if I can do it you ABSOLUTELY can do it also!!
Thanks to Chris for his inspiring interview! Check out his work here:
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