Production with a Purpose
Kyle Roberts (‘07) approaches film production with passion and purpose. Owner and Founder of Reckless Abandonment Pictures, Roberts produces, directs and edits commercials, short series, stop-motion and feature films. From big-name contracts with Dreamworks, Hasbro and Mattel, to Emmy-winning Oklahoman coverage, to his own feature-length film and upcoming faith-focused series, Roberts’ story began with action figures.
As a boy, the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie was the first Roberts saw in the theater, and it sparked a love for storytelling. As the resident “AV kid” in high school, his potential gave young Roberts keys to both the broadcast editing bay and the school for him to create anytime.
His impressive film reels before college allowed Roberts to continue his creative education in Broadcast Journalism at Oklahoma Christian University. While at OC, he had hands-on experience participating in Eagle Angle, Eagle Radio and Eagle basketball games.
“While I loved community and connections most, my department gave me the foundation of what it means to be a storyteller,” Roberts said. “Between class assignments and personal projects, our professors wanted us to put our knowledge into practice.”
Following graduation in 2007, Roberts became a video editor at The Oklahoman, Oklahoma’s largest daily newspaper, earning Emmys for his music video docu-series and Oklahoma City Thunder coverage.
After work, he would create on the side late into the night and on weekends. His stop-motion film of beloved action figures went viral and earned features in USA Today, MTV and the LA Times, opening doors with high-profile products like Ninja Turtles, Nerf, Trolls and Thomas and Friends.
“We are in the world for His purpose, not our own, and that’s why we begin each project day in prayer,” Roberts said. “Reckless Abandonment began following a closed door as God gave me a chance to focus on my science-fiction, superhero movie, The Posthuman Project (2014). These successes even landed me at a Japanese Comic-Con between a Marvel artist and D.C. Comics writer.”
People of all ages watch Roberts’ purposeful videos. He often asks his team, “How do [we] earn the right to be heard by our audience?” His dedication to this mantra and God-given passion allow for celebrations in the successes and praises for sharing stories each day.
Roberts and his team have a multiple film slate in production, What Rhymes With Reason, radically family-friendly stories of hope produced in Oklahoma. If you would like to learn more about his latest project, visit kingdommediaclub.org.
