Millennial Spotlight: Meet Brooklyn Actor & Producer Kyle Porter
An Interview by Jessica Wise
We love highlighting millennials who are making moves! This month, we sat down with Kyle Porter, a Brooklyn-living actor and producer with a big imagination and an even bigger heart for creativity. In his company Porterhouse Productions inaugural project, The Second Coming of Sekhmet, the already award-winning filmmaker looks into the intertwining aspects of mental health, masculinity, and more.
Give us a quick teaser on what The Second Coming of Sekhmet is all about.
The story follows Charlie as he suffers a mental breakdown after his divorce. He begins to hear the voice of the Egyptian goddess of vengeance in his house cat. Descend into madness in this dark-comedic-thriller!
What inspired this film?
I wrote it at a very lonely time in my life and this film reflects the dangers of that. I wanted to connect with anyone who has ever felt hopeless and alone by showing them it could definitely get worse.
The voice of Egyptian goddess Sekhmet is an essential part of the narrative. How much research did you do on this aspect of the film? Did you find anything unexpected?
I did a lot of Internet sleuthing into the legends and religion of Sekhmet. Apparently, she was a badass who scared her followers into elaborate rituals. She also made all the sand in the desert with her breath. Which all folds nicely into a psychotic break for Charlie.
The way we view masculinity is changing. Millennial men are inspiring one another to be more in touch with their emotional and mental health. How do you think this film contributes to that?
The whole story follows Charlie as he struggles with mental and emotional instability such as psychosis or un-diagnosed schizophrenia. This film really shows the struggle some men go through when they are unable to face change and don't have a support system to fall back on. A lot of males find it harder to make new friends, and (without giving too much away) without that outlet, situations can get dangerous.
You also have a background in theatre. What would you say is different about the production process for film?
Almost everything and at the same time nothing. I just came out of an Off-Broadway play and dove right back into making this film, so the differences are noticeable. I would have to say the biggest difference is the timing. In theatre, you rehearse for hours a day, for weeks, so that everything happens linearly each night, like a well-oiled machine. In film I get to take each moment as it is, get it as close to perfect as possible, then move on to a different scene. Both take time and expert planning. Both are magical.
What do you think are some common misconceptions people have about filmmaking?
That it is somehow not the hardest thing in the world to do. Yes, it’s fun and behind-the-scenes photos and blooper reels are silly. But I promise you, if you saw a film and enjoyed it; someone, somewhere, had a full meltdown to make it. Everyone on set is putting 100% of their soul into each moment you see. That is taxing. I do a day job and maybe use 10% of everything I have. But in film there is no way to not give so much when everyone else is.
Has producing given you a new insight to the business side of filmmaking?
So much more insight than any film class I went to. Producers really are the original jack-of-all-trades. Each film I produced I was attached to before there was even a script, so I have been lucky enough to see how every aspect of a film is put together from the start. For me, those lessons will stick forever.
What is the overarching goal for this project?
My goal for The Second Coming of Sekhmet is to have it be the perfect launching pad for my production company, Porterhouse Productions. I have won many awards at film festivals (self-brag), and I have always walked away from those festivals with new connections and more work for the future. Sekhmet will work as a concept film to show the quality and style Porterhouse Productions will bring to our future feature films, and that is where the investments will start leading to significant returns.
What has producing taught you about the importance of investors and mentors?
Having produced a couple of short films out of pocket, I really wanted to stretch my legs and try crowd sourcing funds so I could have a budget to work with. I'm using Kickstarter as a way of organizing the investors I knew I had as well as to find new investors. Their importance is overwhelming. There wouldn't be a film without them and they are the bravest gamblers I've ever met. It's easy to bet on cards when you can see the money on the table, but it takes true courage to invest in a story in hopes that it connects to others.
How can people support the project?
Donate to my Kickstarter campaign. Not only will you be donating but you would investing in a future in the film industry. This is not my first film and it won't be my last, and this a great chance to be involved with a groundbreaking film at the ground floor.
When and where can interested viewers see the film?
Kyle Porter, Porterhouse Productions
As part of the Kickstarter rewards, we will be having a digital screening online. So If you donate, you'll get to watch the film before it goes on its film festival tour. Part of the reason for the festival tour is to find an online distribution home after the tour for The Second Coming of Sekhmet. The streaming service industry is exploding, and many platforms are dedicated to short films or have short film categories, and we plan to take advantage of the ever-growing need for quality content.
Want to learn more about the film? Donate to Porterhouse Productions’ Kickstarter, for a free digital screening!
