Skip to main content

Boreal Community Media

Meet your Cook County neighbor: Kyle Johnson

Nov 25, 2023 04:57AM ● By Editor
Images provided

A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - November 25, 2023


How did you land in Cook County?  What journey led you here?

I've lived in Minneapolis most of my life, but my journey to Cook County started when I was a child. In the late 90s-early 2000s we frequently visited my uncle's family cabin on Lake Superior in Castle Danger. We would hang out with my moms side of the family, have a bonfire on the rocky shores of the big lake, and stare at the stars overhead. These trips had a huge impression on me as a kid. I learned about astronomy from my father and uncle, and learned to love the sights and sounds of this mystical lake. 

Over a decade later I made it back to the North Shore, and rediscovered my love of this area. This was during the pandemic, I was working on my first big budget feature film in Eveleth. I even quit my day job to take that opportunity, in hopes that I would avoid working a retail black friday rush during a massive pandemic, while also starting my dream career. Little did I know, not even a week after starting on the film, a COVID outbreak happened on set, and I contracted the virus. I was sequestered to a hotel by production for over a week until I was clear again. By the time I was better, the production had to shut down, and I was not paid..

So I was stuck post COVID.. with no job... and no money or credit to show for the film. I was literally at rock bottom. Quite the warm welcome to the film industry! On the drive out of Eveleth I felt defeated. I took the scenic byway to Beaver Bay. The terrain slowly changed, hoarfrost coated the tops of spruce trees as the low clouds passed between them, and the road opened up to the North Shore. I immediately felt an intrinsic gravitational pull, inspired by the epic beauty of the natural world here. At that moment, I realized that I left a part of my soul here. Having lost my Mom to cancer years earlier, I was immediately brought back to those core memories. Not to mention, my father proposed to my mother in the Superior National Forest.

The Arrowhead Region has also been bolstering their film tax incentive to bring in more movie productions to the state, they give a rebate to productions who film out of the northland, and are incentivized to hire filmmakers who live up here. So I started to realize that the universe was telling me something, I needed to be up north. A couple years later my partner found a job opening at one of the vet clinics in Grand Marais, the perfect job opportunity for her. She took a leap of faith and got the job. Amazing!! Only problem was, we didn't have a home up here. From that point on, we traveled to Grand Marais every other week for almost a year straight from southern MN to keep her job and look for a house. It was a slog, as many folks in the county are very aware of the housing issues here.

Eventually, we lucked out thanks to our friends at Arrowhead Animal Rescue, who tipped us off to a home she knew about and now, finally, we are residents of Grand Marais! We had to work our tails off to make it work, and we are extremely thankful to call this place home.


Would you tell us about your business?  How can someone reach out to you to learn more?

My company Barred Spiral Media helps small businesses and brands scale their reach by helping them craft media strategies centered around their organizations goals, we tap into the local filmmaker talent pool to produce media for these companies so business owners can have movie grade media for their business that are tailor made for them. We love collaborating with our clients, this year we shot a full media strategy for Campfire Bay Resort in Cushing MN, and everything has been turning out great. We are also working with a cyber security company called Gravwell, they are doing groundbreaking work in that field, we are honored to have such incredible clients! Outside of commercials, we also make documentaries, narrative films and other forms of media. We typically hone in on productions centered around nature, astronomy, conservation and sustainability. If anyone is interested in tapping into our production power, they can message me on Facebook personally or email me at [email protected].


Do you have a favorite spot in Cook County where you go to unwind?

It's all my favorite, lol, but I've found so much joy hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. Hard to go wrong on any section but notable areas I have enjoyed are the cliffs of Devil Track River, the Oberg-Moose-Leveaux mountains section in Lutsen is awesome. My real muse is spending time in a canoe on these northern lakes. The BWCAW is where I find the most peace, and I've only scratched the surface of that wilderness. Excited to explore the Gunflint District now that I live in it!


Best advice you were ever given and how did it impact your life?

Honestly, it was the words of the great Carl Sagan and his input/advice on the world that changed my life. He had a very unique viewpoint being an astronomer and one of the greatest science communicators in history, who was integrated with the American space program practically from its inception. He fervently believed that we as a species need to have an intimate understanding of nature, science and technology. He said that it's a volatile mixture to have a society built on science and technology, who doesn't understand those studies very well. He's not wrong, and it's been my goal to share nature and space with the world to help the world love this planet, so we can be motivated as a species to protect it for generations to come. This is why I continue to use filmmaking to communicate nature and astronomy to the world. I think its necessary for us to maintain a 'cosmic perspective' just as Carl Sagan said.

The other less existential piece of advice is "Put yourself out there". As an artist, it's hard to come out of your shell and show people what you created. Truly authentic art is like baring yourself naked to the world. You're leaving it all on the table for people to like, hate, etc. and we tend to be our own worst critics before we even give others the chance to critique. Why take yourself out of the game before it's even started? You'll never grow or learn that way. So many people convince themselves they're not good enough for something, or not as good as the next guy.. but none of that matters. Take action when you feel like you should, bury your doubts and put yourself out there. Don't go about life 'wishing' you could do something, don't say "if only (x), then I would (x)" Consistently create opportunity for yourself and eventually you will receive feedback from the cosmos. I have seen this in action personally!

 

Favorite moment captured on film?  Where and what?  

I've been lucky enough to film some amazing things in my time.. its hard to narrow down. One of my favorite moments was filming the last day of our documentary 'Greybeard: The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi' we were documenting 87 year old Dale 'Greybeard' Sanders' world record attempt at paddling the entire Mississippi River from the headwaters in Itasca, MN to the ocean at the Gulf of Mexico. He did it in 87 days, paddling a Northstar Northwind Solo from the top of the country to the bottom. Witnessing him get to the ocean was an awe inspiring moment I will never forget.


But its hard not to mention one more moment. During the 2021 NFL season it was my first year filming home games for the Minnesota Vikings, they were testing out a new stabilized camera that is usually used in the movies and trying to integrate it into sports production. I was the lucky guinea pig to stress test it during home games. One of these games was Thursday Night Football, primetime. Im tasked with player intros, filming the players coming out of the tunnel as the starters are announced. This night, the last guy to run out was the one and only Justin Jefferson #18, who is considered one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the NFL. I captured his epic entrance that night, running out of the tunnel behind him to a packed stadium of 60,000 people. How insane that some camera kid can run out of the tunnel during primetime like an NFL player, that clip was shared all over, Sports Center, ESPN, you name it. It was a humbling moment.


 Last year they stepped it up a notch for me and had me film a one take shot to open the first Thanksgiving game as US Bank involving Viktor the mascot, the cheerleaders, Skol Line, and a performance from Yung Gravy. That was the most nerve wracking shot I've ever done. You only get one shot when its a packed house and its LIVE on the big screen of the stadium. That moment was one of the greatest highlights of my career. Here's the shot along with a GoPro angle of me operating: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwoynTh_mC/ 

The Vikings organization has entrusted me with so much and welcomed me with open arms. I am so grateful to the team and organization for taking me in.

What hobbies do you enjoy doing when you are not busy working?

I love nature. And I really mean it. It's everything to me. For me, there's no better way to spend free time than in the great outdoors. Especially in the north shore, and superior/quetico region. I love astronomy, in my free time I hook my cameras up to astronomy equipment to photograph deep space. Astrophotography changed my life, realizing I can take photos clear across the galaxy or even a different galaxy all together is so empowering. It changed my perspective on our humble planet and inspired me to fight for it. So now I have a YouTube centered around astrophotography education and wilderness exploration to help bring awareness. I also love to canoe, it takes you deep into the wilderness where you almost melt into the surroundings and integrate with the many moods of the wilderness. 

Feel free to follow me on social media and don't be afraid to reach out! I would love to connect with my fellow neighbors! Keep Looking Up!


Boreal Exclusives
Upcoming Events Near You
Boreal Ship Spotter - larger view here
Aurora Borealis Forecast
Boreal Community Media