Kairo Samuel Jones - 

Born and raised in Lambeth, London. Middle child

I’m an avid sportsman and loved physical activities growing up. I would frequently play Football, Cricket, Badminton, Tennis, Basketball and Compete in Cross Country Running. Taking part in sports clubs before and after school. After leaving school I continued to play sports to a professional level where I was playing for the men’s teams ages 17 and 18. 

I have 5 siblings and sit as the middle child amongst them. My oldest brother being a professional Football player here in the UK being the reason I started at a young age so frequently. (See attached photos) 

I’ve been working in Film for the best part of seven years now. I started as a runner and worked my way up through endless hours or hard work and sheer determination. It’s a very tough industry to crack for those who don’t have an ‘In’ / Friend or Family member to get them their first few jobs. 

Over the years I managed to hone in my craft within the camera department, having a good eye and good taste. This, alongside building strong relationships with top directors and industry professionals meant I went on to work on my first Disney feature film with the likes of Sir Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judy Dench. Following this I moved onto commercials for the likes of Nike, Telefonica O2 Mobile and McLaren Formula 1 and then into the height of fashion for brands like Hermes, Gucci and Louis Vuitton to name a few. 

I had to work my way up from the very bottom of film making. I was 20 when I started working on micro budget indie feature films & TV Dramas to then four years or so down the line, (what I think was) reaching my prime and was asked to go on tour with Kendrick Lamar for 6 Months to film a feature length Documentary. 

Having joined the tour I was really at the pinnacle of my dreams - it was a pinch me moment. Being only four years into my career and aged 25 at this point, it would have been naive to think this would be the peak of heights I would reach. 

Following my injury at the end of the tour when the accident happened, I really feared for my career. I vividly remember instantly after the crash having feared loss of sight out of my left eye. Only for it to slowly comeback after 20 Minutes. I still don’t know the effect this will have on my eyesight down the line and have been too anxious to have it checked as I fear being told bad news. 

After the accident I had to take 6months - 1 year off working duties so I could recover properly from the mental and physical effects it had on me. 

As much as I would have love to work I wasn’t able to carry out the duties expected of me. Sadly the job role of a camera man means being able to carry a heavy camera on my shoulder for an unprecedented amount of hours each day. 

To give you an idea of the hours I was doing generally and whilst on a world tour with Kendrick -  would be up at 04:00/05:00AM easy to film Kendrick Lamar in the Gym. I would then follow him around filming up until the show, film his performance and then proceed to his dressing room and any activities he would do after the show. This would often vary from going to the studio or for a late night party to celebrate until 03:00/04:00AM the next day at times. 

Although this wasn’t 7 Days a week we would do this often 4/5 Times a week. (See attached photo on me filming in New York)  

The accident meant all the opportunities that followed this I had to decline with huge regret. I had to decline as I couldn’t physically live up to the standard expected of me. 

This meant my career came to a halt. After declining so many jobs back-to-back producers, Production companies and Directors turned their heads elsewhere when it came to hiring me. To add to this the film industry then had strikes which further added to the blow mentally and financially. 

The contrast of once being “the busiest camera man in London” during lockdown / Covid 19 to no longer being able to get a job was a tough reality to face. 

This had a huge impact on my mental health. From the little funds I had remaining I had to pay my own medical bills in London for treatment and decided to see a therapist, but I couldn’t keep this up as I had no Income. 

The effects of this injury continue to take a toll on my mental health as I then gained a stone in weight causing me levels of anxiety I haven’t reached before. It meant I was now suffering with severe anxiety and struggled to socialise which is a huge aspect of my job and livelihood. Anyone who knows me will vouch I am popular amongst my piers. I also noticed that since the accident I have suffered from short term memory loss when drinking alcohol - I now fail to remember as clearly when I have had a few too many to drink which was never the case. This is with further relation to my Anxiety. 

With my job being 90% word of mouth this meant I wasn’t mentally stable enough to see friends and colleagues. 

My loss of earnings meant I had to re-adjust my lifestyle and could no longer keep up with industry friends or even afford to see the latest film in iMax at the cinema which is for both socialising and staying up to date with the latest trends within my field of work. 

With all this taking place I fell into depression and further put on weight. My love life changed and my girlfriend at the time thought It was best we went separate ways although she was very supportive. 

Since, I have been trying different avenues to break back into my field but have faced a vast amount of struggles with my efforts. 

I have fallen into debt I can no longer really control or navigate and have borrowed endlessly from the banks. My credit cards are completely maxed out having used them travelling to the states for treatment. 

I hope to go on holiday with my family in October to celebrate my baby sister’s 18th but have let me mother know I may not be able to make it unless I am able to sell some belongings. 

To summarise my struggle I have finally got to the point of having to sell my tools which are my camera and car in order to afford rent and cost of living. This is clearly never anyone’s intention as it seems like huge steps backwards in the wrong direction but I believe shows my efforts to stay afloat during this tough period. 

I like to think I’m using every trick in the book to get back tons place I was and am certain I will use the tenacity it took the become a film maker to find my feet again. 

Moving forward I still hope to and make films and make my family and friends proud. I have huge goals and dreams and believe I am capable of achieving them regardless of what obstacles I may face with my health or anything else be.