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Glenn MichaelCreative DirectorKid. Studio

Glenn is the co-founder and creative director of Kid. Studio, a film production and design studio based in Toronto. Over the years, Kid. has created music videos for The Weeknd, Drake, French Montanna, Big Sean, and Majid Jordan to name a few.

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OP

At what point did you realize you could turn your specific talents into a career path?

G

I’m not sure I’ve even realized this yet. I’ve never consciously set out to make what I do a career. Though, I did realize that Kid., along with other dope creatives coming up at the time, could help change the way the world saw creative coming out of Toronto. People in our city became drawn to our work and let us know that we were a true representation of the creative community coming out of it’s underbelly. That motivated us to work harder and help bring more attention to the creative energy flowing through the city.

OP

What were some of the greatest barriers you’ve had to face both as a designer and as a director? How transferable are the skills and how has one medium influenced the other?

G

I never graduated from my graphic design program in school, so trying to pursue a career in that field, at a higher level, was difficult. I worked some really shitty graphic designer jobs and interned at multiple places at the same time for literally 0 money, for years.

Starting off as a graphic designer, I’ve alway been drawn to certain compositions and layouts. I’ve definitely used my eye and taste as a graphic designer to develop the way I see shots framed and composed. At this point, there’s a strong synergy between both mediums that has developed naturally, and pursuing both vehicles allows them to nurture and strengthen each other.

OP

You’ve had a less conventional path that others in your position. Can you speak on your relationship to the industry and how that’s affected your craft?

G

I think coming in as an outsider has been a blessing in our work. Me, nor anyone on the team, has any formal education in any avenue of the film industry. I think that brings a certain atmosphere to our work that can’t be taught. We’ve just had to learn our way around this industry as we go, but we also recognize that there is still a lot that needs to be learned. I think having that awareness, that we don’t know it all, allows for our growth to be documented on film with every project that we put out.

People in our city became drawn to our work and let us know that we were a true representation of the creative community coming out of it’s underbelly.

OP

What are your thoughts on film vs digital?

G

I’m a fan of film just because there’s a certain soul about it that I personally haven’t been able to replicate with digital. It’s a texture preference. But I also believe that if you give a good creative either, and they’ll be able to form something beautiful. I don’t hold one at a higher regard than the other in terms of medium because some of the best work I’ve seen has been shot in digital.

OP

Kid. is a perfect example of the type of ingenuity that can come out of the recent paradigm shift of lowering barriers to entry. However, I suspect this is largely due to the amount of respect and care that you guys pay to the craft and the industry. How do you think the creative landscape will change as skills and tastes become increasingly accessible?

G

I think it’s amazing that the playing ground is becoming increasingly levelled, whether a person decides to seek more conventional ways of education or going at it on their own, there’s no right way to pursue creative endeavours.

OP

What were the last 3 albums you listened to?

G
Portishead - Dummy (1994)
Tierra Whack - Whack World (2018)
Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016)

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