Meet Vinaris M. Scott | Author, actor, producer, director, writer, creator, Iraqi war veteran, and philosopher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vinaris M. Scott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vinaris M., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I actually don’t see KillaKrane Productions as a business. It’s actually more of a passion project. Since I was little, I have always had ideas for movies, tv shows, and even my spin on various ones that already existed at that time. I believe they are now called “fanfiction.” However, I was busy daydreaming and creating fan fiction and my own original stories well before I had ever heard of that term. For the most part of my life, I had never seriously thought of manifesting those ideas, much less creating a “passion project” where these ideas could grow and take form. It took many years of getting away from certain mindsets and gathering the courage to make my lifelong dreams become reality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets my art apart from the rest is that I don’t (as some artist do) initially look for what is currently popular, then create a world to satisfy the current trend. I create a work of fiction whenever the inspiration hits. For instance, my 2nd book (Planet Furball and the Heretic Kitten) came during the time when I saw memes going back on social media either supporting or ridiculing the Flat Earth movement. One caught my attention and said “If the Earth was flat, cats would push everything off the edge.” Growing up with a cat as a pet, that is something I always noticed and that got me to thinking “Why do cats do this?” Then, a comical idea hit me ” What if this is part of a secret religious ritual that cats do?” This idea spiraled into there being a fictional planet where cats do this as a ritual in their religion called “Gato-ism.” Also, cats are the majority race and they share this planet with another race, which is composed of rats, who are the underprivileged minorities.

My first book “BlackJack and the Beanstalk” VERY loosely gives a new version of the old story “Jack and the Beanstalk,” with an very urban interpretation. Basically, the main idea of this book revolves around those who are in a relationship and their “significant other” has beliefs that they believe are good, wholesome, or (in some cases) absolutely necessary. However, these beliefs negatively affect their job, relationship with their partner, and possibly can get them in trouble with the law.

I have to admit. My main obstacle in creating my works of fiction has mostly been myself. Mostly, hearing discouraging things from others and taking those things to heart. Some of the things they have said were probably true, at that time. For instance, if I came up with a new idea for something and they say “That’s not popular right now. You need to follow the trend.” However, history has shown that the most successful people have taken chances and created works of art that started a new genre of their own. That’s what I intend to keep doing. I will also work on “fan fiction” as well. But, that will be more of a side project to show my love for a previously created work from the mind of someone else.

I am also in the process of creating a book that details the full story of a short film series I have created on YouTube called “The Legend of Ghoma-Roi.” I am currently getting feedback from my beta readers and editing of the book will start soon after.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an actor, the first thing I would ask them is whether they would be interested and being in a movie or a TV show. Several of the casting companies that I have worked with are always posting notices that they are looking for background talent of all types. They are always looking for recommendations. So, that would be a nice experience for a friend or a relative who would come out of town and visit me. Other than that, it just depends on the individual. If they have children, I would recommend such places as the Georgia Aquarium, The Atlanta Children’s Museum, or even the Cabbage Patch Doll Museum. If they are an older adult looking for somewhere to go on a Friday or Saturday night, I would recommend the Atlanta Comedy Theater on Jimmy Carter Blvd in Atlanta. Also for old school gamers like myself, there is an old school arcade that I go to called Flashback Games in either Loganville, Georgia or Marietta, Georgia. They have the old school video game cabinets, like the ones in the 80’s/90’s where you had to put quarters in. The best part about Flashback Games is you pay one price (I believe it’s around $11.99) and you get to play all those games unlimited all day. There’s also another arcade in Loganville called The Controller where you can play the newer systems, like X-Box One, X-Box series X, and Playstation 4. There are several other places in the Atlanta metro area. However, those are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly, I have to give a shout out to my late parents, Vinaris C. Scott and Carmena M. Scott. I cannot emphasize enough how great of parents they were. My sisters and I grew up poor in a rural, delta area of Mississippi. However, our parents made sure we were rich in love and affection. They provided all our needs and more. Also, there are a LONG list of names of people who have helped me out in various ways and have given me advice throughout this process, However, if I had to give one name, I would like to thank the individual who has stuck with me from the beginning of the formation of KillaKrane Productions and has always given me honest feedback (whether positive or things that need improvement) and encouraged me when I needed it. His name is Mukama Chinyelu.

Website: http://www.killakraneproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinariskillakraneproductions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KillaKraneProductions

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@killakraneproductions6070

Other: Here is a link to my clothing brand “By Vinaris.” It includes a clothing line called “Rep Da Sip” which shows love for my home state of Mississippi and merchandise for my production company “KillaKrane Productions.” https://www.etsy.com/shop/ByVinaris?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1285849942