Meet Casper Luna | Music and Film Producer, Artist, Photographer and Author.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Casper Luna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casper, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am rarely content with working for other people, especially in a creative capacity. I love to work with people, but I found that I am constantly doing so many projects, that I would begin to get frustrated with people if I had to rely on them for me to complete what I had done. I also found that it was difficult at times for me to work a “traditional” job. I always found myself spending more time working on music, art, writing, and photography than I would on my job. That is when I decided to pursue my artistic dreams and began a photography brand, traveling the world and bringing my adventures to everyone. Now, I own my own entertainment company, Lycanthrope Entertainment LLC, where I now get to work in a variety of artistic communities, in an eclectic capacity creating: Films, Interviews, Photography, Digital Art, Original Art, Original Stories and scripts, Music Production and Recording. I never would have been able to have the life that I do now if I had chosen to continue working for other people, creating things that didn’t motivate me or move others. Starting my own company and brand was the best thing I have ever done.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
“If you have any artistic talent, regardless of what it is, you are obligated to give it to the world” – Casper Luna For as long as I can remember, I was always creating: drawing, singing, writing. I was never good at sitting still in a classroom (unless it was music class), and I would constantly find myself becoming bored or frustrated with my varying jobs because I felt that they took time away from what I wanted to do…create. I would spend more time with my guitar than with my friends who wanted to go skateboarding all day. I would write more in my notebooks and journals than I would write letters to friends, family, and pen-pals. When I was 17 I played in front of a crowd of people for the first time and they were cheering. Whether it was for me, for the band I was playing with, for the song, or just because they were having fun, it didn’t matter. I had been given a taste of artistic acceptance and I wanted more. All I ever wanted to do was wake up in the morning, be able to go to my studio and record music all day, paint, write, or do anything that would result in something new standing before me where there was once nothing. Regardless of what job I had at the time, or what was happening in my personal life, I would always come back to my music and my art. It is a part of me and what I do.
I have never received any significant amount of money for what I do, which led me to the philosophy of creating art for art’s sake. I am going to do what I do whether I get paid for it or not. When I wake up tomorrow, I will still be painting and playing music, even if my pockets are empty. I have to because it is what I do, it is a part of me. Don’t ever change or contort yourself to fit into a place in this world that is not designed for you…it doesn’t matter how much your job pays you, how pretty your partner is, what car you drive, or where you live…if you cannot be who you are and create what is within you, you will never create anything in its fullest vision. You have to be who you are, regardless of views or opinions or popularity. You have to stand up and say “This is what I feel, this is what I see. This is what I find beautiful and I want to share it with the world.” Art in any and all of its forms, deserves to be set free.

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?
I live along the Crystal Coast in Eastern North Carolina, right at the southern tips of the Outer Banks. Where I live, there is a lot of history, pirates, waterfront attractions, and music venues. For the first day, they are kidnapped and taken to Beaufort, NC where they would get to walk along the waterfront and hop a ferry to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses along the beach. Then it’s off to The Royal James Cafe for burgers, pool, and live music. Then to cap the night off, they would get to experience our Beaufort Ghost Walk and learn about our 300-year-old town, its people, and its pirates. For the next few days, we will be hopping ferries while we drive along the Outer Banks, taking in the shoals, towns, aquariums, and sights on our way to Kitty Hawk, NC to visit the Wright Brothers’ Museum. Then once back, it’s off to Wilmington, NC to have a cafe lunch and head to see the USS North Carolina Battleship. Then on Friday night, it’s off to the New Bern Civic Theater to see a live stage play or musical, rounding off the weekend Saturday with a trip to Jacksonville, NC to see a live concert at Hooligan’s Music Hall. There is never a shortage of things to do and experience along Coastal Carolina.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey to where I am now would absolutely not have been possible without the love, encouragement, and support of my friends and family. Natalie Singletary (aka The Madd Natt3r) has been a major supporter of mine for years, going so far as to eventually become a work colleague, a regular model for my photoshoots, and has also helped to push and introduce me to people in varying industries who can help to bring my creations to life. There are also the owners/operators of the Nightmare Factory in Havelock, NC, Justin Yates and James Moore. They have become instrumental in the development and encouragement of my acting, artistic, and creative career in photography and film. They have been long-time friends and supporters of what I do and have become an inspiration to me after seeing them follow their dreams and turn them into the #1 immersive and interactive haunted attraction in North Carolina, which is starting its 18th season! I wouldn’t have my entertainment company or my acting career if it were not for them and their support. Then there are also the musicians and production staff at TeraNote Studios in Morehead City, North Carolina, for taking the time and chance on me, to help me develop my production style and musical techniques. Doug Gould is an amazing studio owner and with his knowledge, I was able to create my own recording studio, Lycan Studios. Fernando Rivera and Tiffany Elaine were very instrumental in opening me up to several different music scenes in our area and over 2 dozen bands and artists, many of whom I have worked with since meeting them. They all continue to this day, to support not only myself but my efforts to create and establish my talents and businesses.

Website: www.casperlunaart.com

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/casper-luna-945a53289

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075715633471

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Casperlunaart

Other: Facebook: @lycanthrope.entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lycanthrope_entertainment?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LycanthropeEntertainment?si=Z9iKWxLVxf5XU2JN

Image Credits
Photos Courtesy of Natalie Singletary, Evelyn Voorhees, and Damien Kira.