Rising Stars: Meet Frank Kraljic of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Kraljic.

Hi Frank, 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.
Dissatisfied with what the family was watching on TV, I sneaked into my grandmother’s bedroom to find something other than the evening news that would appeal to a then three-year-old me. Given the limited channel selection at the time, I settled on the news and serendipitously watched a reply of the first space shuttle launch and its astronauts in orbit above the Earth. I distinctly remember pondering, “I wonder what’s up there,” before getting scolded. My interest in space and astronomy was fueled by my first love, Star Trek, and finding a role model in Captain Kirk and, later, Indiana Jones. Their missions to explore, understand, and protect the unknown—among other attributes—laid a foundation for who I am and what I stand for today. In high school, I interned on NASA’s Galileo mission to Jupiter while building several reflecting telescopes from scratch. However, science wasn’t my only interest.

“Why do you want to be a scientist? You should be an artist,” my dad said once. Drawing and storytelling were skills I never took seriously growing up, but looking back now, I occupied a lot of spare time. I decided to change career paths from planetary science to film after watching Disney’s The Lion King. The film offered an opportunity to indulge in many of my interests, fulfilling the drive to explore and create at the same time.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am fortunate from a young age to be surrounded by others who have supported and guided me along the roads I’ve traveled—figuratively and literally. The biggest struggle or challenge has been myself. The arrogance of youth is a quality that can get chipped away by reality or sometimes the perception of reality as we get older and more seasoned. A track record of consequences, critiques, and external influences directly and indirectly ultimately affect creativity and performance. As with many others, regardless of age, career, or talent, this is a crux I am no stranger to facing. The saying, “I am my worst enemy,” is true.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In the early 2000s, I formed Deep Sky, a production company that produces commercials, TV series, and documentaries. My first commercial for the then-Phoenix Coyotes would win an Emmy and open the door to producing and directing dozens of commercials. Documentary filmmaking would take center stage after returning from a two-month exploratory trip to Namibia. Projects in Kenya, Namibia, and Afghanistan led to a flagship passion project searching for the Ebola virus’s origin in nature. 15 years later, production is nearing a close, and it has become an adventure case study in the scientific method, blending together all of my root interests (except space). Meanwhile, I would later executive produce two TV series and direct a few other documentaries currently in different stages of production.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Success? I’ve been in the video production business for over twenty years, and to this day, I still don’t ever think, “I’ve made it.” Sure, I’ve been able to support a lifestyle that someone said is like having my cake and eating it too, but success is a prize that, in my opinion, is akin to the Holy Grail. When found, then what? It’s not an objective but a series of goals to be met—and I have many, and they keep adding up. Perseverance is key, and that’s a lot easier said than done.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deepsky.film
• Instagram: Franksadventures17
• Facebook: Frank Kraljic
• Linkedin: FrankKraljic
• Twitter: FrankKraljic