Our Story
We are a production firm that specializes in commercial, creative and editorial content.
We are based in Portland, Maine and Nashville, Tennessee.
We produce video, shoot photo, and develop content strategy.
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You'll often hear us say that fishing is intrinsic to Maine, but what does that mean? We think it means that lobstering and fishing is essential to the heritage, culture, and future of Maine's identity.
It's important to our economy, but it also saturates our lives in other ways - from lobster t-shirts, to lobster buoys hanging on mailboxes, to lobster trap coffee tables, to book titles and music, too.
As a quintessential example, here's a great song, The Irene by The Mallett Brothers Band from their Lights Along the River album. Inspired by a contest (that may or may not have existed), they wrote the song about the hard work and commitment of Maine lobstermen.
"I worked on my father's old fiberglass diesel almost from the time I could stand... I was raised doing it the old way. I was made to spend my life on the sea. On this 40-ft lobstering vessel I call The Irene."
Together, we persevere.
Video by Knack Factory
Farm-to-table? We’re all about the “garden-to-glass” movement lately. This was the inspiration for our summer Maine Spirits campaign, celebrating all the local (incredible!) produce that Maine has to offer.
Maine Spirits Farm Fresh Campaign
🎥 Knack Factory
📍 High Output - Portland
📸 Lauren Lear Food Photographer + Stylist
Our new staff video is complete! Hear about Zachau Construction from the people who make us, well, us.
Video by the talented Knack Factory.
On a whim, I took a video production class in college and fell in love with the idea of doing that as a career. Back then, everything was still reel-to-reel, so I’ve seen a lot of changes in this industry.
I started working at a small production company in Bridgeport, Connecticut and later worked for ESPN and NBC Sports. I worked in different sports arenas with athletes producing commercials, instructional videos and more.
In 2008, I started working at Octagon, an athlete representation firm in Portland, Maine. For 8 years, I worked in the Olympic and Action Sports Division where I gained valuable skills and experience. While I enjoyed it there, I wanted to be doing something on my own terms.
In 2011, I created “Food Coma TV” with a group of friends. The series centered around local food writer and personality Joe Ricchio. It had an “Anthony Bourdain meets Jackass” vibe. We spent a year traveling around Maine and checking out different food scenes throughout the state.
Realizing we worked well together, the production team from that show began talking about the possibility of starting a company. In 2012 we formed Knack Factory, and by 2016 we were getting enough work and clients where I was able to leave my primary job at Octagon.
If I hadn’t spent over 15 years learning different skills from various media jobs, Knack Factory wouldn’t have been possible. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but looking back I’ve had some crazy career moments.
I filmed LeBron James and his entourage in a tiny, crowded room at the NBA All-Star game for ESPN, flew first class with Michael Phelps to Brazil, and filmed a Nintendo commercial with snowboarder Jamie Anderson as she played video games with life-size Mario and Sonic characters. Those moments helped me be a better human and content creator, and I’m so grateful for that.
- Kurt Graser, Owner, Executive Producer and Creative Director at Knack Factory
Read the full, unabridged interview here:
https://bit.ly/3hUypia
From visionary entrepreneur Sascha Deri comes “Starless Rogue,” the long-awaited suborbital sounding rocket powered by a groundbreaking non-toxic, carbon-neutral, bio-derived solid fuel.
Deri directs from a script by Knack Factory, based on real-life events and an ongoing, first-of-its-kind equity crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder.
Rated R for Rockets.
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Happy holidays from the bluShift Team!
Thanks Knack Factory for this amazing video!
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"I probably wouldn't be here talking to you today if it wasn't for the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, because they're looking out for guys like me. They're our voice at the end of the day. They're helping us in more ways than one." Randy Cushman, Port Clyde Fisherman
MCFA works to support and empower fishermen like Randy who fight for sustainable fisheries, vibrant fishing communities, and opportunities for the next generation of Maine fishermen.
Randy has been able to work with MCFA to help test gear, advocate for better science and data through camera monitoring, and has participated in our Fishermen Feeding Mainers program, which has just passed 320,000 donated meals!
Randy inspires us every day and we hope he inspires you to join our community today.
Currently, we are 90% of the way towards reaching our end-of-year fundraising goal of $25,000. THANK YOU to everyone who has already given.
If you are able, please join us in making a donation today to support MCFA and fishermen like Randy Cushman.
Visit our website to make a donation to our end-of-year campaign.
www.mainecoastfishermen.org
Together, We Persevere.
Produced by Knack Factory
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Today is the first day of the state waters scallop season in Maine. We wanted to share a video MCFA did with Knack Factory and Alex Todd about the fishery.
Good luck out there everyone!
Vessel Services, Inc. Portland Fish Exchange Harbor Fish Market SoPo Seafood Sheehan's Seafood Chebeague Island Inn Portland Old Port Maine Public Maine Department of Marine Resources
QUITTER is out this Friday 11/19!
That’s only 3 more sleeps away! So we wanted to share one more NEW SINGLE with all of you called —-Everything Is Better—-!
This track is a band favorite from the record and we had the best time filming this video with Knack Factory (all the rad performance stuff) and Bob Sweeney (all the rad super 8 beach footage)! Enjoy our little dystopian beach party! While you’re at it make sure to pre-save/order Quitter! 🏖 🌊 🏝
Video:
https://youtu.be/zCQdvnLabh4
Pre-save/order Quitter:
https://orcd.co/everythingisbetter
We're really excited about the Knack Factory documentary project about the development of USL to Portland, and we look forward to potentially being involved in a storyline about soccer in Maine!
New client campaign for Pineland Farms Natural Meats - featuring Chris Gould, chef and owner of Central Provisions and Tipo restaurants.
🎥:Knack Factory
Tonight Brooklyn, NY w/Microwave Elder Brother Taking Meds SOLD OUT at Knitting Knack Factory!! If you managed to snag some tickets doors at 6pm we kick things off right at 7pm! C u there.
📸:
NEW MUSIC ALERT!!!! We're very excited to announce that our New LP “Quitter” will be out Nov 19th on Don Giovanni Records and Big Scary Monsters (excited to join the Big Scary roster🥳) !!! Pre-save/pre-order link:
http://dongiovanni.co/quitter.
You can listen to and watch the music video for the title track “Quitter” now !!
https://youtu.be/ZevkADNUU3I.
Writing and recording this record over the last year and a half has been such a trip! We're so so so excited to finally be able to share a piece of it with everyone! Hopefully you'll love these songs as much as we do, we put our whole hearts into them ❤️🥳. Huge thanks to Knack Factory for bringing this amazing video to life!! And FuntownSplashtown U.S.A for giving us free reign letting us be kids again in your park.
One month away from playing shows again!! We’ll be supporting out pals Microwave with Elder Brother and Taking Meds!! Did you get your tickets?
www.weakenedfriends.com/tour
Maybe you’ll have something new to sing along to? Gah It’s all happening. Get the vax, get tested, and get a mask so we can all hang at these gigs.
9/25/2021 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Hell)
9/27/2021 - Columbus, OH - Woodlands
9/29/2021 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme
10/1/2021 - Chicago, IL - Cobra Lounge
10/2/2021 - Ferndale, MI - The Loving Touch
10/3/2021 - Lakewood, OH - Mahalls
10/4/2021 - Pittsburgh, PA - Craft House
10/5/2021 - Buffalo, NY - Rec Room
10/7/2021 - Asbury Park, NJ - House of Independents
10/8/2021 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
10/9/2021 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
10/11/2021 - Baltimore, MD ottobar
10/12/2021 - Greensboro, NC - Blind Tiger
10/13/2021 -Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
10/15/2021 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
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Photo: Tadin @ Knack Factory
Maine Fishermen are working hard on the water to support their families and bring you the best seafood in the world. With your investment, MCFA can continue to work hard for them here on shore to ensure we have vibrant fishing communities for future generations.
Together, we are making a difference for the Gulf of Maine, working waterfront communities, and Maine's fishermen.
Together, we Persevere.
Make your donation today at
www.mainecoastfishermen.org
video produced by Knack Factory
Happy birthday to the captain of our ship, MCFA board president, and Chebeague Island fisherman, Alex Todd. Thank you for all that you do to support MCFA, Maine's fisheries, and the working waterfront, Alex!
This is video is part of the Hard Tellin' series that MCFA did with Knack Factory a few years ago. The sentiment and images in the videos all still hold true.
Together, we persevere.
![A.B.G. (Always Be Getting [the shot])](https://img4.medioq.com/391/567/5461215163915675.jpg)
![Thomas Bryan Eaton [accompanied by Miss Tess] performs “Lately I’ve Been Thinking”](https://img2.medioq.com/v/566/896/585736155668960.jpg)
![Mile Twelve performs Los Lobos' "Whiskey Trail" at Ossipee Valley String Camp [2019]](https://img2.medioq.com/v/180/781/1383903361807818.jpg)
