DONALD KILGORE (dk)

It was a TV Drama class in high school that ignited my passion for filmmaking. Once I had a taste for telling stories through shooting and editing I was hooked.

Upon graduating high school, I attended Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia where I studied Broadcast Communications and toured with The West Virginians playing drums. I spent two years at AB before moving to Orlando to complete my studies at Full Sail University where I attained a degree in film & video production.

After graduation, I was hired as the assistant editor at Media Brothers, Inc. in Orlando where I worked on feature-length concert productions and music promos for Music Choice and Hard Rock Cafe, featuring mainstream rock and pop artists. It was during this time that I really developed a deep understanding of the art of editing.

In 2002, I moved to Los Angeles with only a suitcase for a position as an assistant editor on the dating reality show The 5th Wheel and later found a second job with 7ate9 Entertainment cutting promos for The Disney Channel.

While in LA, I accepted an opportunity in Houston, Texas to work as Director of Creative Media at Second Baptist Church where I conceptualized, produced, shot, and edited promos, documentaries, commercials, music videos, and other creative content weekly.

Today I work as a freelance cinematographer and editor and continue to reside in Houston, Texas with my beautiful wife Liz, our daughter Jordan, and Presley our Golden Retriever. Through the years, I have had many opportunities to work with nationally recognized brands, talents, networks, corporations, and advertising agencies. My work has taken me across the United States and to many countries around the world.

I love being on set. For me, the greatest rush and excitement comes from experiencing how the many roles and dynamics of a crew come together for a production. I thrive on collaboration. Nothing is better than collaborating with directors & producers and making a vision come to life. I am continually learning. The cinematographer and editor I am today is a result of the mentors, travel, experiences, failures, and successes throughout my career. I am often humbled by the incredible stories I get to tell, the brands I get to represent, the places I get to capture, and the creatives I am fortunate to collaborate with.