Living the Dream: A Conversation with Photographer & Director Kristian Schmidt
We sit down with one very cool dude and incredible creative force, Kristian Schmidt. Known for his Grammy-nominated music videos, films, and Japanese television shows, Kristian has built a career on a unique global perspective. I’ve long been obsessed with his striking photography and deeply admire his attitude toward life, friendship, and his profound respect for nature.
Born in New York but raised across continents, Kristian moved to Paris shortly after birth and spent his summers on an island off the coast of Gothenburg, Sweden. After high school, he packed his bags for Tokyo. This rich cultural tapestry is the foundation of his work; he began capturing everything around him, quickly gaining popularity. When he returned to New York in 2003, he partnered with friends from Stockholm to found Kamisol Productions, a bi-continental film production firm that masterfully blends Swedish, American, Japanese, and French aesthetics. Today, he travels the globe to photograph animals most people only see from a distance.
We got a chance to ask him a few questions about his inspirations and upcoming projects.
Q: What have been some of your most interesting projects?
Kristian: "I have been making celebrities all around the world make bets with each other and make the loser do awful things. I film it and all of a sudden we have a TV show. I once threw pies at one actor for 24 hours straight; he had to act like nothing was happening—going to the office, a dinner meeting, even going to bed. It was a big success."
Q: How does a city like New York inspire your work and creativity?
Kristian: "It's up to speed with my mind. I do everything very quickly and so does NYC. I'm always busy and have a million things to go to; I don't have time to overthink things. Too much time to think about yourself is never good. Tokyo and NYC keep me busy, and I evolve without even knowing it."
Q: Any favorite websites you frequent?
Kristian: "japanprobe.com - it keeps me up to date with Japan and has exactly what I want to know about. I’m also working with Magnetic TV at the moment—an incredible company that brings all the relevant material from a video directly to you. Oh, and www.kristianschmidt.com is a lovely website with amazing pictures for sale that will make your apartment look phenomenal."
Q: Who are some of your favorite film directors?
Kristian: "I've been directing for a while, and I'm so impressed with any director who can pull off a movie. Stephen Chow can create an atmosphere like no one else. Kung Fu Hustle used very different angles and the most beautiful effects I've ever seen. He successfully made a film that is shot like a manga and still feels like a real movie; it's one of a kind.
Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer blow me away every time. And Robert Rodriguez is a very good film school if you are starting out; his films teach you a lot."
Q: What are some of the best music videos, in your opinion?
Kristian: "*'Island in the Sun' by Weezer, directed by Spike Jonze. I like to hang out with animals, and it was such a simple concept. You can't not smile when you see that video.
I’d also say *'Taxi' by Snook, which I directed. We spent only $4000 on the video and still got nominated for a Grammy.
And 'Rap Wonder DX' by Gagle* (Japanese Hip Hop)... we had too much fun making that one!"
Q: What future projects are you working on?
Kristian: "I'm working on a street soccer feature film that Nike Japan would produce. Lots of trips to hang out and take pictures of dangerous and lovely animals for more gallery exhibitions. And a Parkour film that has been in the works forever and looks to finally go into production soon."
Q: Any dream projects you’re holding out for?
Kristian: "I'm living the dream! I do, however, have something up my sleeve that is really something else. Without saying what it is... it's something no one has ever seen before."
Q: Finally, what are your favorite places on earth?
Kristian: "Cape Town. Some of my best friends live there, and it is the most beautiful place I have ever been to."
