Actor's Spotlight: Travis Kraft

Posted Thu, 07/02/2009 - 02:34 by rhoda Register or login to comment

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Travis Kraft

by Rhoda Dizon

Travis Kraft is an American film maker and an actor who is quite visible in the Pilipino-American community. He is known for making instructional cooking videos (spoken in Tagalog) called “American Adobo” and its sequel, “Salo-Salo.” Some of you may recognize him from his work as a model appearing in magazines like Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar and campaigns for companies such as Jockey. He is featured in several publication articles such as the Philippine Star, Metro Magazine, and Abante, which highlight his work as an actor, and as a figure that has successfully set his feet in between different cultures.

1. What is your educational background?

I have a B.S. in Telecommunications and Film from Eastern Michigan University.

2. Where are you originally from?

I grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, which is a great place even though it has changed so much since I left.

3. Do you have any siblings?

That's a good question. I have an older brother but we don't speak to each other.

4. How supportive has your family been in your acting career?

I think they have been as supportive as any parents can be when their kid decides to do something unconventional with their life.

5. How did you first get involved in the Pilipino American community?

I kind of have an adoptive mother that is a Pilipino immigrant. I have always been interested in far eastern cultures because I have always been a huge fan of martial arts films but it was her that got me interested in Pilipino culture. I got so interested I ended up going to the library and started reading books about the Philippines. Then I made my first trip there in 2003 and was blown away by the culture and sweetness of the people.

Eventually I ended up doing a lot of work there in 2006 as an actor and model after I started my career as a model here in 2004. When I was there for 9 months in 2006 I also started seriously studying the language.

6. What interests you about Pilipino culture?

The Philippines has a totally unique culture but I don't think it gets credit for that because it has had some outside influences. In that regard it is like the U.S.A. The United States also has a totally unique culture but a lot of people naively think it is nothing more than a mixture of other cultures.

The best thing about Pilipino culture is the friendly spirit of the Pilipino people. I am always telling my friends to visit the Philippines even if they go alone. I tell them not to worry, they will quickly make friends.

7. What are your goals as an actor?

Sometimes I wonder that myself. I have been producing a lot of web videos and there is a lot of the real me in those. Sometimes I think I am happy just being myself as opposed to trying to be a character.

8. What would you describe as your dream role?

If I could play any one character I would love to play Superman in a movie. I would do that even if I could never act in another movie again. I think it would be a good fit and I could give people a different kind of Superman and play it in a way like it hasn't been done before. I would play him more the way he is done in the comic books. I would try to bring a machismo to the role instead of the sensitivity that we have seen other actors do it with. My Superman would be a little more rugged and a real man's man.

One interesting note I would like to ad is I have done a photo shoot in one of Chris Reeve's suits from the original movie and another time I was cast to be Superman in a shoot for Harper's Bazaar magazine alongside Lindsay Lohan.

9. Did you have a difficult time adjusting to L.A.?

I am a bit of a nomad and I was dreaming and planning on moving to California my whole life so I just did it when the time came after college and just drove out. California is a very different place compared to the rest of America but I adjusted quickly.

10. What is your definition of success?

I supposed you being interested in talking to me about what I have done could be considered one level of success.

I get emails everyday from people from all over the world that want to talk to me about things I have done and things I have created and I think that is pretty cool. It is good to know that people are seeing my work and enjoying it enough to take the time out of their day to say something nice. I appreciate it.

11. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why?

My role model is Better Middler...no not really. I would have to say I like Sylvester Stallone and think he is a brilliant actor and director. I always thought I would be a cool action hero but somehow I became this guy that does goofy instructional cooking videos.

Maybe my way to make a difference is not to be some ultra-cool man of action. I think the way I have made a difference to people, especially the Pilipino community, is just by being genuine and sincere.

12. How do you want to be perceived by the Pilipino-American community?

I have gotten a ton of support from the Pilipino community and I appreciate that.

Still, there seems to be a few people, and I have noticed they are all males for some reason, that kind of resent that I have gotten a lot of attention for what I have done.

I also understand that not everyone is going to like me and that's totally OK. I know I am not everyone's cup of tea, however, the response to me has been really positive and most people totally get and understand what I am doing.

13. Would you be fulfilled just acting, or do you having other aspirations? (in terms of your career?)

Lately I have been going into the direction of directing and producing so we will see the path my life takes.

14. What are the origins of Salo Salo?

Salo-Salo is the sequel to my American Adobo video. My philosophy is that sequels always have to be bigger and better than the first one and I went in a little different direction, even though it is still an instructional cooking video.

Salo-Salo is also the name of a very nice collectible DVD we released that contains my cooking shorts as well as a few cute special features. If they want the DVD they can get it on the store page at www.poolboyfilms.com We also have the shorts up on youtube so people also have the option of seeing them for free if they like. All they have to do is go to www.youtube.com/poolboyinla

With Salo-Salo, I was able to bring together white Americans, Pilipinos, Pil-Ams, an African-American, and a Japanese person to do something to honor Pilipino culture and I am very proud of that.

16. What do you want the audience to take away from your videos?

I only hope that they are entertained and have fun.

Salo Salo