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Jasmine King | Calgary Filmmaker & Founder of KingPin Media on Canadian Film and Production


Name: Jasmine King


Location: Calgary, AB


Business Name: KingPin Media



Category: filmmaker/production house



💬 INTRODUCTION


My creative journey started at a very young age and has taken many forms before landing where I am today. I was born in Nova Scotia but raised in Calgary, Alberta, and both places have shaped how I see the world. I began as a photographer early on, but creativity has always shown up in different ways for me. As I grew older, I became deeply drawn to writing, especially poetry and storytelling. English class was where I felt most at home, and I loved building worlds through words.


That curiosity led me into other creative outlets. I spent time painting and experimenting with visual expression, and eventually fell deeply into dance. I stepped away from sports like soccer and boxing and committed fully to dance as my primary physical and creative discipline. Movement, rhythm, and emotion became a language I connected with instinctively.


When COVID hit, everything shifted. I returned to painting, this time selling some of my work, which showed me that creativity could also be sustainable. Eventually, I found myself working in the trades, something very common in Alberta, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t where I was meant to be. I was deeply unhappy, and that realization forced me to make a change.


I took a leap into the creative world full-time, while still balancing other full-time jobs, starting by working with local bands and artists. That leap became the foundation for KingPin Media. Today, I focus on capturing music, live events, and stories that feel raw and honest. As KingPin Media continues to grow, my goal is to create larger-scale music videos, expand into commercial work, and eventually move into film and television — while also helping ensure Canadian stories and creators have a stronger voice on the international stage.



🔥 THE PASSION


Creatively, inspiration has always come naturally to me. Ideas, visuals, and stories have always just shown up. What truly shaped my vision, though, was recognizing the gap between Canada and other leading creative industries internationally.


Canada is overflowing with talent, yet we don’t always see that reflected in the quality, scale, or visibility of the work being produced. I want to be part of changing that. I believe that with more intention, investment, and care, Canadian creatives could be producing world-class work that competes globally — artistically, culturally, and economically.


KingPin Media was built from that belief. High-quality, emotionally driven storytelling coming out of Canada deserves a bigger platform.



🍁 🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE


Being a Canadian creative means everything to me. I take immense pride in where I’m from and in the diversity that defines Canada. Our culture is incredibly rich, made up of voices, traditions, and artistic influences from all over the world that have come together in one place.



I believe it’s important to protect that diversity, express it, and invest in it. Building a strong creative ecosystem requires community, collaboration, and people willing to uplift one another. I’m proud to contribute to that ecosystem and help strengthen Canada’s creative voice.


🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM


The music videos I’ve released and the responses they’ve received have been major standout moments for me. Seeing people genuinely connect with the work — both emotionally and visually — has been incredibly affirming.


At the same time, I still feel like I’m just getting started. Every project is a stepping stone toward something bigger, and that drive to keep growing and represent Canada on a larger stage is what continues to push me forward.



🤝 NETWORKING SPOT


I’d love to collaborate with Canadian artists who are redefining their lanes — especially musicians, fashion creatives, or curators pushing culture forward in whatever way that looks like for them. The best projects come from alignment, not just aesthetics, and I’m always excited by collaborations rooted in intention and vision.


That said, the dreamer in me will always say Simple Plan or bbno$ — just for fun.



🎬 CLOSING


The next chapter for KingPin Media is about growth and trying new things — bigger projects, more creative freedom, and continuing to build something that feels genuine.

I love emotional, cinematic work, but I also really enjoy creating fun projects. I want my work to feel real and engaging, whether it’s serious, playful, or somewhere in between.



✨ ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO INCLUDE?


I’m incredibly proud to be Canadian, and one of my biggest goals is not only pushing myself forward in this industry, but bringing other Canadians with me. I don’t think the creative world needs more people claiming they’ll be the best or the biggest. It needs more connection, collaboration, and people willing to build each other up.

If we strengthen the community, the work will speak for itself.




💡 COMETS QUETIONS:


COMET: Every creative has someone who helped shape their path. Who are the mentors who made a real impact on you — and what did they teach you?


JASMINE: One of the most important mentors in my life has been my dance teacher, Ms. Kennedy. During a difficult period in high school, she became much more than a teacher. She pushed me creatively, made sure I had a safe outlet, and helped me secure scholarships for dance. She taught me what real leadership looks like: care, generosity, and building others up without expecting anything in return.


My Grade 12 English teacher, Ms. Rickards, also had a huge impact on me. She showed me that leadership and respect can be earned while remaining relatable and genuinely listening to people. The care she put into her students went far beyond the classroom, and that’s something I carry with me today.



COMET: Is there a specific production, film, or creator who inspires the way you shoot and tell stories? What about their work speaks to you?


JASMINE: I’m inspired by creators who push production quality while still keeping storytelling at the center. Jensen Noen’s music videos stand out to me because they feel cinematic and immersive, almost like short films, with a strong sense of scale and ambition. As a longtime Marvel fan, I’m drawn to that kind of visual world-building and energy.


I’m also inspired by Orie McGinness and his approach to VFX, along with narrative-driven films and shows like Dexter, American Horror Story (season one), YOU, and No Good Deed. I’m especially interested in stories that build tension, play with mystery, and create emotional depth without relying on over-explanation.



COMET: What’s something behind the scenes at KingPin Media that people never see, but is a huge part of your process?


JASMINE: The amount of pre-production. I spend hours writing scripts and treatments, storyboarding, building shot lists, location scouting, and coordinating teams. Production itself is actually the shortest part of the process. Most of the work happens before and after.



COMET: When you’re choosing which artists, events, or brands to work with, what’s the one quality you look for that tells you, “This is worth capturing”?


JASMINE: Authenticity. I want to understand your story before I ever press record. I take the time to learn the lyrics, the brand, and the intention behind what you’re creating so the final product feels aligned and meaningful to everyone involved.

There’s a lot of noise out there that’s loud without much intention behind it. I’m drawn to people who actually want to use their voice and connect, whether that connection is emotional, playful, ridiculous, or just meant to make someone laugh. As long as there’s intention behind it, it’s worth capturing.



COMET: What’s been your favourite project so far — something where everything just clicked: emotion, energy, visuals — and why does it stand out?


JASMINE: The Ishkode music video stands out the most. It was intense, ambitious, and deeply collaborative. That project felt like my first real step into a higher level of production, and it showed me what’s possible when a big group of people believe in the vision.



COMET: As someone behind the camera and behind the edit, how do you balance being “invisible” as the creator while still making a bold statement through your work?


JASMINE: My goal is never to be the statement. It’s to create the statement. I’m happy being invisible if it means the story gets to lead. If the emotion lands, I’ve done my job.



COMET: What do you hope someone feels when they look at your work — whether it’s a live event, an artist spotlight, or a brand-video?


JASMINE: I hope people feel a sense of connection and escape. Stories were a refuge for me growing up, and creative work has always been a way to process, understand, and step outside of difficult realities. Through visuals, I want my work to feel like a space where people can pause, feel seen, and connect with something deeper. If someone finds comfort, recognition, inspiration, or even just a laugh in my work, that means everything to me.



COMET: What would you say is the hardest part of your job — the part people on the outside don’t always see or understand?


JASMINE: The pressure. The timelines, expectations, and mental load are intense, especially while also being a full-time student. It’s a constant balancing act.



COMET: Entrepreneurship in today’s economy is no joke. What’s been the hardest part of building and maintaining your business in this climate, especially with rising costs and pressures creators face?


JASMINE: Balancing accessibility with valuing my work has been the hardest part. I want to support artists and creatives, but I also have to be honest about the time, resources, and energy that high-quality production requires.


I’d love to see more funding and long-term support for the arts in Alberta. Investing in creative industries would not only help artists sustain their work, but also strengthen the province culturally and economically.



COMET: As a young woman in this industry, do you ever find yourself facing challenges that others don’t? What moments stand out where you had to push harder or prove yourself differently?


JASMINE: Having to prove credibility faster and more consistently, especially in leadership roles. There’s often a fine line between being assertive and being labeled negatively, something young women in male-dominated spaces are very familiar with.

Coming from a background in the trades gave me a strong work ethic and resilience. It taught me how to hold my ground, trust my skills, and not take every perception personally. At this point, I’m focused on doing the work well and letting the results speak for themselves.



COMET: What helped you push through those challenges — mentors, mindset, community? And what advice would you give other young women trying to build something in a competitive space?


JASMINE: What helped me push through was a mix of mindset, self-belief, and persistence, even when that self-belief had to be built along the way. There were times when things were genuinely difficult, including moments where basic necessities weren’t guaranteed. Even then, I never let go of my vision. My dreams always came first, because they gave everything else meaning and direction.


I’ve learned that failure isn’t something to fear. It’s often the only real path to growth, and getting comfortable with falling short is what leads to a stronger, more confident version of yourself. Sometimes that also means faking it until you make it, trusting yourself enough to step into rooms before you feel fully ready. Most importantly, it means doing something today that your future self will thank you for.


My advice to other young women is to hold onto your vision, start where you are, and keep moving forward. Persistence and self-belief will take you further than you expect. I’d also highly recommend that any young creative person read Russ’s book, which offers a grounded and honest perspective on building belief in yourself and your work.



COMET: If KingPin Media could be flown anywhere in the world for a dream project, where would you want to go — and why that location?


JASMINE: I don’t need to leave Canada. People from all over the world come here to film because of our landscapes, our crews, and the range of environments we can offer. Some of the most acclaimed, award-winning productions are already filmed right here.


My dream is to work on large-scale productions at home and continue building within Canada. I’m currently developing a TV series and would love to see it come to life in Alberta and British Columbia. I believe in building something meaningful here and contributing to a stronger, globally respected Canadian film industry.



COMET: When you finally get a moment to yourself outside of shoots, edits, and deadlines — what does “free time” look like for you?


JASMINE: Not much free time, honestly. When I do get a quiet moment, it usually looks like reading before bed and learning wherever I can. Right now, I’m reading Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez and spending time studying how to become a better writer and filmmaker.


After graduating, I’m hoping to take a short reset. I know the amount of work I want to put in over the next five years is going to be intense, and I want to give myself the space to recharge before fully committing to that next phase.



COMET: What’s the most fun part of your day as a creative entrepreneur — the part you look forward to every time?


JASMINE: Most projects don’t happen in a single day, if they ever do. But the most fun part of my career is the human moments on set. Laughing with people in the middle of the chaos, bonding through long days, and finding connection while creating something together.


The creative process can be intense and even spiritual at times, but it also takes a lot of work. By the end of a shoot day, everyone’s usually exhausted, a little delirious, and laughing it off together. Those moments and connections make it all worth it.



COMET: Is there a moment in your career that made you stop and think, “Yeah, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be”?


JASMINE: Honestly, every time I’m on set I feel like I’m where I’m meant to be. I’ve been lucky enough to win a few awards, and the doors that have opened through my work have shown me that the effort I’ve been putting in is paying off.


I try not to be the statement in my work and prefer to let it speak for itself, but recognition from industry professionals and my peers still means a lot. It gives me a sense of belonging and reassurance that I’m on the right path, something I think I’ve been moving toward for most of my life.



COMET: Looking forward — what’s a big dream you have for KingPin Media, something you haven’t done yet but know you will one day?


JASMINE: To grow KingPin Media into a globally recognized production house while staying rooted in Canada and building the next generations of creatives. I want the work coming out of here to stand confidently on an international level, and I want to help open doors for other Canadian creatives along the way.


It’s not just about personal success for me. It’s about building something that reflects the talent we have here and creating opportunities that last.



Jasmine sent over a few links for us to review — take a look below:





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