Kyle LeClaire

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it? 
A short-form documentary (actually a school project at the University of Buffalo) about Dyngus Day in Buffalo, NY, Title: Dyngus Day (2014)

How did you get into directing? 
I went to film school in Buffalo, which is where I began my filmmaking journey. Since graduating in 2014, apart from professional video production work, I have been actively directing my own, mostly documentary style films, almost completely short form.

What is your most recent project? 
Besides Faerman Register Co., which was quite a lengthy editing process, I recently directed a short-form documentary about a public arts project in the town of Westbury, NY, funded by the NY state arts foundation.

What is the best part of being a director? 
Having the unobstructed opportunity to craft a story that is as close to what you’d initially envisioned in your mind’s eye, as humanly possible.

What is the worst part of being a director? 
Running out of money and/or time.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.? 
Ultimately I will continue to direct documentary style pieces, although I am open to directing all forms of content.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you? 
I’ve had many mentors when it comes to my personal storytelling journey, Definitely a mentor who opened the scope to which I view the filmmaking process was Laura Curry a professor at my film school in Buffalo. She taught me to turn the camera into a paint brush, and break free from visual convention.

Who is your favorite director and why? 
This is impossible to answer. Bong Joon Ho, Hitchcock, Tarantino, Chloe Zhao, Bing Liu, Peter Jackson, just off the top of my skull. As to why, well they are innovators, and masters of their craft.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content? 
I don’t have a favorite movie, but certainly Some Like it Hot, Rear Window, Memories of Murder are up there. I guess any television with Anthony Bourdain, and for commercials, anything by Skittles.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?) 
I am from Brooklyn. I worked from a young age in kitchens and all through college, onto events management, all the while attempting to muscle my way into the professional film/tv industry as a Cameraman/DP. The goal is to Direct full-time.

How has the pandemic impacted your career, art, craft, shaped your attitudes and reflections on life which in turn may influence your work, approach, spirit, mindset?
I think the pandemic was cathartic. I had the opportunity to look inward and attempt to answer questions left abandoned for many years. I even shot a short about solitude during the pandemic.

Contact

LeClaire, kyleleclairebk@gmail.com, www.kyleleclaire.com