Meet Lina Kraftsoff | Director, DP & Photographer

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

Hi Lina, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Düsseldorf, Germany, but my parents are both immigrants from Ukraine (dad) and Russia (mom), so I never really felt particularly German growing up. The way I was raised and the people I had around me impacted me very heavily, especially because I was always very involved in what was going on around me. Whether that was cooking for my family or helping my friends with whatever they had going on. I was raised to be attentive, hard working and kind. I try to upkeep those standards no matter what people throw at me. Because I grew up around a blend of cultures and had to balance a lot of traditional values with new things the people at school opened me up to, fitting into the film industry wasn’t a problem for me. My environment growing up made me very accepting of change and learning how to adjust while not loosing yourself.

I always felt very neglected at home growing up because my parents were always at work, so I looked for a family in all the friends I made along the way. This really helped me learn how one cultivates the feeling of community and belonging. I try to create that feeling on every step of the way, especially on sets I get to direct.

This also made me turn very independent at a young age and gave me the confidence to move to LA at 19 to pursue my bachelor’s degree and now my career in film. My parents are both very supportive and hard working individuals, I owe a lot of my drive and commitment to them and can’t wait to show the world that even someone like me can make it in this industry. By that I mean that I have been called ”too human” and ”naive” many times before, but I am trying to prove a point and deep down I know that what I’m doing will work out in the long term. Thankfully, I’m in no rush.

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.
That’s a pretty tough question that I feel like I could answer in a million ways. I think what sets me apart is my desire to build community through creating art and the way I tell it. I have a very personal approach to every project and find a way to not loose myself no matter which position I’m in.

What am I most proud of? I’m proud of myself for keeping my head up. I have fallen on my face so many times already in LA, wanting to give up almost every day, but I just feel like I am far from done, so I always keep going. But, I am also really proud of the people surrounding me at the moment, the conversations and projects I get to be a part of and for all of my past work. It definitely hasn’t been easy, but seeing all the growth manifest in each and every project I join or create is so fascinating and satisfying. Getting here has been such an interesting and challenging journey. It takes a lot of free work, favors and cold emailing people you look up to, to even get half as far as I have. Something that was particularly challenging for me was not being allowed to work for the entire duration of my three and a half college years because of my F-1 student Visa status. I actually only received my work permit at the beginning of this year and have been able to get my first, legal and paid, gigs as a DP, director, 1st AD, BTS photographer and G&E swing. I used to think that it was a reason doors were closed for me, but looking back now, doing free BTS photography enabled me to meet so many new people and ‘do favors’ for them, which ended up opening a lot of doors instead of closing them. I have been incredibly lucky so far.

I have learned so many things in the last few years… Most importantly that when I stand up for myself I am not being disrespectful and that setting boundaries is normal and necessary. Working with mostly men can be a challenge in itself, but learning to speak up has really helped me create a more respectful environment that I feel more comfortable in now.

I can’t wait for the world to watch me set a standard for the film community. One that is more kind, patient and rewarding. My ‘brand’ is simple: I truly just want to work hard and tell stories that matter. Each person who trusts me with that, I will be eternally grateful for.

Apart from that, I can’t wait for the world to meet the company I am a co-founder of – Film33 Studios. All things I believe in, we are actively implementing in our production company and rental house, making it a home for any and all artists.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA is filled with so much wonderful nature and culture, so whenever I have someone from Germany visiting I usually take them to a few of my favorite spots around the city. As for nature in LA County, I usually take them to Leo Carillo State Park Beach, Malibu Creek State Park, Eaton Canyon Falls and the overlooks along Mulholland. As for food, it really depends on the state of my wallet, but the absolute go to is basically any Taco Truck (my favorite is by K-Town in front of a Walgreens on Vermont), Hae Jang Chon, Tagine, Salt & Straw and a small Peruvian place called Machu-Picchu. I’m not much of a party-goer, but whenever I go out it’s in We-Ho and I love taking people there. It’s always a good time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that deserve a shout-out in my life. Ranging from my family to my friends, there are so many people that have always encouraged what I have tried (and often failed) to express with the art I create. I have a few ‘mentors’ who have offered me their insight and let me be a part of conversations and projects I otherwise wouldn’t have been a part of. I am forever grateful for that. I think as an artist we often feel like we are alone because our journeys are all so different and hard in their own way, but thankfully I have always been able to stop and look around and see a lot of love and support that always appears when I need it the most. A few people in particular who have been encouraging and supportive currently and in the past are Michelle Gonzales, Saul Bromberger, Ahlyia Rios Lopez, Nathan Paul, Holley Heitz, Trevor Morgan and Mike Farino. It still blows my mind when people that I look up to compliment me and make me feel seen. I don’t think I will ever get used to it.

It’s such an honor to be working alongside such talented individuals like Jacob Museo, Matthew Magnus, Edwin Medina, Alizée Bendavides, Eli Gus May, Sabrina Lassegue, Brenna Prince and so, so many others. I am so thankful to be surrounded by such caring, kind and passionate individuals. I would be absolutely nowhere without them.

I would also like to give a special shout-out to people like Kai Magee, who has brought me onto mainly queer crews repeatedly which is always such a wholesome and all around good experience. What he is doing is so important to our community.

Most importantly though, my wife, who supports me more than anyone else, every single day. She has taught me how to be kind and calm in situations when I want to be the opposite. I wouldn’t have half the strength to do what I do without her.

Website: www.directedbylina.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directedbylina/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lina-kraftsoff

Other: www.film33studios.com

Image Credits
Lina Kraftsoff, Michelle G. Gonzales, Sarah Joy Smith