Meet Kyle Butenhoff | Director/Writer/Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Butenhoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My debut film, “Laced,” was born out of necessity. It’s no secret that the pandemic wreaked havoc on people’s lives, and for us actors in LA, it felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath our feet. Apart from its health implications, the job market shutdown left us feeling hopeless.

I had penned a Hitchcockian thriller set in a single location, but it had been relegated to the back burner when it became evident that nothing would be produced in 2020. However, in a lucky turn of events, when my producing partners Dana Mackin, Matt Ramey, and I attended a New Year’s Eve party at a friend’s cabin and instantly recognized it as the perfect setting for our film.

On January 2nd, we wasted no time. We set up our LLC, dove into pre-production, and never looked back.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My passion for cinema has been a lifelong affair. This love for film and acting led me to Chapman University. Even though my major was in political science, I was drawn to Southern California, knowing it was the gateway to sneaking off to LA for auditions.

Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of numerous projects across TV, film, and commercials. I’ve had recurring roles on the FX show “Mayans MC” and appeared on the Netflix series “Dahmer.” However, my involvement in filmmaking extends beyond just acting. In 2023, I proudly released my directorial debut, “Laced.”

“Laced” is a homage to classic cinema, a Hitchcockian thriller set in an isolated cabin. It’s my love letter to the timeless art of storytelling. You can catch it on video on-demand platforms like Apple, Amazon, or wherever you prefer to rent your movies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For my money, there’s nothing quite like getting lost on long hikes in the Los Feliz hills around Griffith Park. Don’t stress if you forgot the picnic. Just hike back down the hill to Goldburger for some of the tastiest greasy goodness this town has to offer. Conveniently located next to the Los Feliz theater, you can even catch an afternoon matinee before the inevitable food coma sets in.

But if your idea of relaxation leans more towards the coastal breeze, hitting up a popular surf spot like El Porto or Zuma is unbeatable. And along the way, don’t hesitate to stop in at any burrito spot you come across. Trust me, none of them will disappoint.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

This shoutout is dedicated to the amazing community that steadfastly supported our production team throughout the making of “Laced.” From the generous donors who contributed to our Seed and Spark campaign, to our Executive Producer Adam Wescott, the unwavering support we received along the way is what enables independent cinema to thrive today. Big thank you to Dark Sky Films for distributing Laced.

A significant amount of credit must also be extended to our families, not only my own, but also the Mackin and Ramey families, whose steadfast encouragement and understanding were invaluable throughout this journey.

Above all, none of this would have been possible without my producing partners, Dana Mackin and Matt Ramey. They are the pillars of this production, and their talent, dedication, and companionship have meant the world to me.

Website: https://www.kylebutenhoff.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_butenhoff/?hl=en

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kyle_butenhoff

Image Credits
I have the rights to all of the images.