Instead of simply attending a show and waiting around for a photo op with music legend PJ Harvey, Kyle was hungry for much more. So, he planned a diabolical scheme to shoot a documentary, dubbing it “Stories From the Road – A Film About Following PJ Harvey,” which followed his quest to meet the rock legend. This harebrained project ended up opening the door to a brand new career path. So meet Kyle Keyser, film and fun maker around town:

SCOUT: Greetings, Kyle. Tell us how might people know you?
Kyle: You might have walked past my porch as we tried to guess your name, attended a house party at 1113, voted for me for Mayor, attended one of my group’s public safety rallies, danced to me spinnin’ in the DJ booth, seen my mug on CNN, watched me stalk PJ Harvey, or seen any number of my videos over at kyle.tv. And maybe, for the lucky ones, all on the same day!

SCOUT: Describe your film work to someone who has never seen it before.
Kyle: I currently do a docu-reality sort of thing. I like to throw myself into the unlikeliest of places and watch what happens. I’ve crashed the Redneck Olympics in East Dublin, Georgia, attended Atlanta Steeplechase, successfully snuck into Obama’s Democratic National Convention, and got myself arrested at the Republican one. So, success all around. We take the cameras, often to places suggested by readers on my blog, and see what happens. Have any ideas?

SCOUT: Before embarking on the PJ adventure, what were you up to?
Kyle: I worked in non-profits. I was a Conference Coordinator for the Southern Center for International Studies. From there, I went to Emory’s Lillian Carter Center. I was also waiting tables on the side.

SCOUT: Filmmakers that inspire you?
Kyle: It’s funny. Filmmakers don’t really inspire me. Stories do. I’m not out to make a beautiful, technically-crafted work of art but more so to tell a good story. I use myself in random, culturally-relevant situations because one, I’m reliable and always available (heh) and two, because I have a genuine passion for those things already.

SCOUT: When did you realize “this is what I have to do?”
Kyle: The whole reason I do what I do is because I wanted to meet PJ Harvey. The “scheme” was to meet her by writing her manager and telling her I was a “big bad American filmmaker” who wanted to do a tour documentary. When, to my surprise, they said I could, I was like, “Oh shit, now I really have to make a film.” That’s what “Stories From the Road – A Film About Following PJ Harvey” is about. When I did, and it premiered in London two years later to excellent reviews, I realized I’d discovered a talent. I was hooked.

SCOUT: Your first memory making video?
Kyle: Until PJ Harvey changed my life, I’d only made videos on my mobile phone that I was sure to delete right afterwards.

SCOUT: Did you ever end up meeting PJ Harvey?
Kyle: I can’t tell you that! It would be telling you the end of my movie!

SCOUT: Good, that was only a test. What’s the coolest project you’ve done since living in Atlanta?
Kyle: Besides making “Stories From the Road,” as it was the project that inspired everything else, doing a kyle.tv video at Atlanta Steeplechase with Margaret Cho was pretty cool too.

SCOUT: Yeah, I would say so. Where in the city do you go to get new ideas and/or find inspiration?
Kyle: I’m genuinely inspired by the city as a whole. I love the culture and quirk of the South. Atlanta has such a rich, complex, and fascinating history that you can see in the streets. There continues to be a divide here (between neighbors and neighborhoods) that I want to help mend by being an advocate for the city. I love how Atlanta is somewhat off the national radar but we have access to all the same cultural amenities as anyone in New York or L.A., and enough of our own to make us truly unique.

SCOUT: I absolutely agree. And when you’re not doing film related stuff, where do you go to unwind with a good drink and quality company?
Kyle: Grant Henry’s Church on Edgewood is a GREAT place (I also bartend there). Mary’s is where you could usually find me on time-to-dance nights.

SCOUT: Amen to that. What’s your favorite “curious find” in Atlanta?
Kyle: Gay Republicans. Curious indeed!

SCOUT: And what are you currently working on?
Kyle: I’m currently working on re-building my blog and committing to expanding my audience at kyle.tv. I’m currently working with Leftfield Pictures in NYC (they do Pawn Stars on the History Channel) on an original series based on the blog. If that doesn’t happen though, 2011 is about me reconnecting with my work and doing it because I love it, not because anyone is watching.

SCOUT: Finally, throw out a shameless plug of where people can get the goods.
Kyle: Although, if you want to watch I wouldn’t deny you. You can catch everything at www.Kyle.tv. Sign up, tell your friends, and let’s have some fun.