Sean Paul’s and Cardi B’s videographer, Kieran Khan, is working on filming masterclasses to advance BIPOC creatives in the industry

BY SELINA MCCALLUM

I interviewed Kieran Khan for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper back in 2020 when he was recently hired as Cardi B’s tour videographer. Since then, he’s travelled to over a dozen countries, worked with multi-award-winning artists and directed several music videos. Now, he is ready to take all that he’s learned over the years and bring it to other creatives in the city and beyond.

“2021 started off good despite COVID and so forth. During the pandemic, there was massive hesitation on if clients wanted to spend money on content. But they realized that’s all that they can probably do to stay relevant or in tune with their target audience,” said Khan. So, it became very hectic for content creators. It gave us a boost, and it kind of pushed a lot ahead. Even for myself, a lot of the projects that I wanted to work on are the types of projects I wanted to do. I shot a lot of music videos, I did about three or four music documentaries, and I started doing a lot of pilot projects to digital platforms to get sold.”

The idea sparked for Khan to film his own masterclass when he realized he often gets asked the same questions from other emerging directors and videographers.

“Many times, individuals kind of asked me how to get involved with tour life, directing, and music videos, and it’s usually the same questions. It just came about where I wanted to film masterclasses. I think a lot of creatives who want to be tour videographers have the wrong idea of what tour life is about, and what they really want out of it. I think the majority of what videographers want out of it is recognition, but also working with a good organizational client to showcase the work that they’re doing, because they’re not getting it from maybe the clients, they’re doing it now.” said Khan.

There are more people of color entering the media industry now, but still navigating through barriers they can often meet like not being booked for higher paying gigs. Khan hopes his masterclasses will teach young creatives how to overcome those challenges.

“I wanted to focus the curriculum especially on the BIPOC community as we don’t always have proper direction or information as to where to go to network, get information on grants, the business side, or the knowledge to get into certain rooms. So that’s what also triggered it initially. I want to also place these individuals with clients that I may not be able to film with and give them that opportunity. But this way I can also manage expectations when they do get there. I can see a lot of times that it’s just lack of direction young creatives have.” said Khan.

The tour videographer says it’s not all fun, no work when you’re on tour with the artists. Khan continuously makes sure he is doing his best to also grow the relationships he has.

“I think a lot of people have this false expectation of the glamour behind it when they forget the work ethic that goes behind it. It doesn’t get easier as directors get older or more seasoned as they say in the business. Because there’s so much young talent coming up, and they might have the time and energy behind them to sit down behind a computer 24/7 learning new work, comparison to us, we’re always on the go. So, we don’t get time to figure out these new technologies or brands or edit types and so forth. And you’d have to nurture these relationships in these businesses that you have to make sure that you constantly get them, and you can keep building your portfolio. And I’ve had nothing but great outcomes in my relationships with people in the industry just based off of organic chemistry.” said Khan.

Khan wants everyone of any age to be able to take away from the masterclasses.

“I never really thought about the age brackets behind it. I just I knew for sure that I want to focus on my community, because I can see how hungry they are for it, their work ethic is insane.” said Khan. “There’s no limitations on the age as far as I can see, or the male or female demographic. I think it’s more about who really is in it for the right reasons or is it that they’ve been doing it as a hobby, and they want to see if this is something that they can really get into. There’s enough work out here for all of us. And I think that’s the hardest thing I’ve run into, not finding amazing content or devoted content creators, where we can, have them on set because there’s enough work for it.” said Khan.

Khan is working on the themes of each masterclass with his team as he makes progress on putting the videos together.

“I’m actually working on it now. So, I want to put together about six videos that would speak about different sectors of the business. And then each video is going to be about 7 to 10 minutes,” said Khan. “And then outside of those videos, I want to give the option where the viewer and I can have a one-on-one conversation for one hour. I can offer my time for a couple of times a week, and then we can go through that process.”

One of the most important topics that Khan is going to focus on is the business side of the job, like contracts and fees.

“That’s actually one of the most important things I’m going to be focusing on when it comes to getting your business up before you start getting the work in. Because a lot of people don’t understand basic things like fees, general rights, they don’t have travel arrangements, per diem, because they just don’t know what they’re obligated or what they’re not.” said Khan.

People who watch the videos will feel inspired and motivated to turn their dreams of being a freelance creative into a reality.

“I really want to accomplish having some of the best content creators and film what is coming out of the masterclasses. I think if I can really just touch a person that really understands that this lifestyle is realistic.” said Khan. “We need more storytellers from our community that understand our culture. We can get further ahead than anyone else coming in trying to tell our story for us. So that’s really what I would love to get out of the masterclasses that I’m doing now.”

For more information on Khan and to be notified when Khan’s masterclasses are available, follow him on Instagram at @kierankhanproductions or check out his website kierankhan.com