In our ongoing series spotlighting young talent in the industry, we return with another One Under 30 – a special feature focused on rising talent in the advertising & marketing world – one person at a time.
This time, we talk to Kaie Slater, Founder and Creative Director at Candy Street.
Over the course of our conversation, Kaie talks about how he got his first break in the industry, what he loves about the job, what he’s not so crazy about, some of his favorite campaign work, and more.
The Basics
Name: Kaie Slater
Age: 27
Agency: Candy Street
Position: Founder and Creative Director
Hometown: New Orleans (USA) and Mumbai (India)
Current Location: Singapore
Education: Nanyang Technological University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, President Research Scholar, 2020
Seven Questions
How did you get your first break in the industry?
When I was seven years old, my aunt gifted me a “Flip MinoHD” video camera.
From that moment, I was making home videos, horror movies, and vacation documentaries. I’ve always felt at home behind the lens, imagining how each story could unfold before a single frame is shot.
I would obsess over lighting, angles, even if it was just my dog walking into an elevator. So, technically, my first “break” came pretty young. Looking back, those early experiments taught me that creativity is less about equipment and more about curiosity and risk-taking
What is your personal mantra?
If it’s easy, it’s boring.
I try my best to chase projects that twist expectations, and make people feel something new. In video production, that means experimenting with pacing and narrative in ways that surprise audiences. I love finding angles that haven’t been explored, and taking risks that push both craft and technology. If it doesn’t challenge me, why bother? Every frame should earn attention. Every edit should earn emotion. Every story should leave a mark.
From what person, place or thing have you drawn your greatest creative inspiration?
My greatest creative inspiration comes from the musician Flume. His music feels like a modern-day Beethoven. Complex and daring, full of emotion that hits immediately. I’m fascinated by his longtime visual artist collaborator, Jonathan Zawada.
Together they build multi-sensory experiences. Audio, visuals, and technology collide in ways that feel impossible. They experiment with sustainability. They push immersive visuals. And they bend sound design until it surprises you. Their work reminds me to think beyond a single medium. To explore how creativity can cross disciplines. To take risks that actually make people stop and feel something.
What do you love about the job?
What I love about the job is turning chaos into stories people actually feel. Filmmaking at Candy Street lets me tinker with colour, lighting, pacing, and music until the edit hits exactly like it was meant to. I love experimenting with visuals, and discovering little moments that surprise me as much as they might surprise the audience.
What I love about the job is turning chaos into stories people actually feel.
That moment when it all clicks (image, rhythm, emotion) when a scene finally breathes and lands with people? That’s why I keep doing this. It’s messy. It’s thrilling. And with every project I try to level up.
What about your job are you not so crazy about?
In video production, “traveling light” is basically a myth!! A typical shoot comes with around 75 kg of gear: trollies, lights, stands, tripods, lenses, cables, batteries, sandbags, hard drives, and laptops. Setting up and tearing down can take almost as long as the shoot itself.
I’ve long since given up on my gym membership. Hauling equipment, untangling cables, and figuring out how to wrestle a fully loaded trolley up a flight of stairs is my daily strength training.
There’s a strange satisfaction in seeing all that chaos come together into something beautiful. Knowing that all the sweat, sore lower backs, and heavy lifting were worth it.
What is some work you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
Over the past two and a half years, we’ve worked on over 80 video projects, from solo one-man shoots to larger international productions across Asia. Picking a single standout project feels impossible, as each one has its own flavour.
We’ve captured interviews with colourful individuals, breathtaking scenery, Michelin-star cooking, rubber factories that hit you with a head-spinning aroma, and crocodile-skin luxury handbags. We’ve filmed on snowy ski slopes with temperatures below freezing, women riding horses on kimonos in the jungle, and even jewelry made from breastmilk.
What we do have is a short video highlighting some shots from our portfolio over the past year. It shows the depth of environments we’ve filmed in, the people we’ve captured, and the clients we’ve worked with. From International Hotel Group (IHG) to Club Med resorts, financial service companies, Vogue-featured designers, and some of Singapore’s leading world-renowned bars and restaurants.
Dim the lights, slap on some noise-cancelling headphones, and enjoy.
If you had to choose another career, what would it be?
I’d be a zookeeper. Making sure everyone’s happy, even the ones who bite.
