Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Goh.
Hi Kevin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born in San Diego, I started breaking in 2011 after being invited to my high school’s breaking club. I quickly linked the values I admired so much in the comics and anime I consumed to the potential growth that dancing, training, and battling offered.
After attending school for film and serving as president of my university’s breaking club, I now often work with dance media outlet Stance Elements (@stanceelements), capturing breaking and dance around the world.
In 2019, I started my own production company, Vertigoh Vision, with a mission to help our viewers see the world in beautiful, empowering new ways. We aim to transmit the values of growth, connection, and respect through stories not unlike those that inspired me to start in the first place.
After 10+ years of production, I’m honored to have been trusted to do creative work for companies like Nissan, Adidas, Tag Heuer, and many more. I believe that “Productivity + Fun = the Best Time one can have.”
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The beauty and tradeoff pursuing creative entrepreneurship is just how unpredictable the road is.
Each passing day presents new challenges, both professional AND personal. Some days I am on a roll with lots of work booked, some days it’s as dry as desert sand. Sometimes I feel the creative spirit within be blazing through all my challenges, some days I feel so burnt out I don’t want to do anything but watch YouTube videos.
It’s not a life I would recommend to those who want a life laid out for them by a single boss or company. I sometimes envy my brilliant friends who worked hard and secured an amazing job at a big company who pays well.
On the other hand, I feel blessed to be able to have the choice to rise to the occasion every day, to hold myself accountable for driving myself forward. To find the right questions, learn the answers, and be grateful for each lesson that moves me towards realizing my best self and building the thing I want to leave behind when I am gone.
It’s not always easy, but I acknowledge that I am blessed to be here, getting the opportunity to even do this. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, and my childhood dream was to be an animator. But after attending an animation summer program, and learning how most cartoons outsourced their animations to other countries, I became discouraged. After processing that, I began to pivot my focus to video production (the next closest thing in my head), using my passion for breaking (breakdance) as my shooting subject.
Just like breaking, I think it was the otherworldly quality that FPV drones offered which grabbed me so strongly. These drones were designed to race and move fast, but in the right hands, they could produce camera movements that originally weren’t possible in real-life — movements that were only previously capable in ANIMATIONS!
Right as lockdown started in 2020, I began learning how to build, program and fly these drones. After months and months of practice, I was finally getting good enough to at least fly without smashing into the nearest tree. Because I already had some film and camera knowledge going in, I was quickly learning how to get good images with my flights.
It isn’t always easy convincing productions that they NEED this high school project-looking drone on their shoots. But after 2.5 years since I started, I have been blessed to do work with companies like Nissan, Tag Heuer, and Red Bull as a camera/drone operator.
Combining FPV drone piloting with my previous experience of dancing and video production, I’m able to produce visuals that push the boundaries of life, visuals that would have previously only been achievable in other mediums–mediums like anime!
I guess in a way, I have been able to realize my childhood dream.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show
If it weren’t for my friend Jonathan, who introduced me to The Tim Ferriss Show in 2017, I would not be nearly as driven and prepared as I am today. The podcast interviews the world’s top performers in every category. If you can think of who is the best at something, chances are they’ve been on the show. I love how in-depth and grounded each episode is, and I listen to it whenever I get the chance.
Book: “The 4 Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss
Title aside, this book is about learning how to make the most of your time. Super insightful (and also entertaining) read, highly recommend to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, or who think their time is worth more than others currently value it.
App: Headspace
Of the 500+ world-class performers Tim has interviewed, 80% of them have some sort of meditative practice. I don’t do it for the spirituality, I started it because of the evidence. Truly enough, since I started meditating using Headspace (also in 2017) I’ve gotten gradually more calm, less angry, and more disciplined. Can’t recommend enough.
Action: Travel Abroad
I would never have been exposed to all of my recommendations above had I not gone to study abroad in China. I never would have met Jonathan, I never would have experienced a whole different way of living, and I never would have had a space to open my mind to new possibilities. I highly recommend you find some way, ANY WAY, to live abroad for at least a couple weeks. You will come back changed, and unlocked.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vertigoh.vision/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaivertigoh/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vertigoh.vision/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCizB5yDLNSOQ_AL-L2oC6Gg
Image Credits
Jae Alyson Calanog
