Get to Know the Filmmaker: Strø Galang To

For this installment of Get to Know the Filmmaker, we’re featuring someone who has a strong presence in the digital space and is known as the “influencer of influencers.” Strø Galang To has worked behind the camera to create videos for mega-influencers that range from Brent Rivera to Lele Pons to Jake Paul. And he’s collaborated with top brands like HBO and T-Mobile to create spots for socials on the commercial side of things. With a number of projects in the works, To took time out to virtually sit down with Casting Networks and share a window into the person behind all the work, including his plans to one day merge the worlds of traditional film/TV and serialized content on social media.

It’s great to virtually see you, Strø, and I’d love to kick things off at the beginning of your career journey. When was the snapshot moment that you realized filmmaking was for you?

I originally wanted to be a teacher, but as a hobby on the side, I would make videos. During that time, not a lot of people possessed all the different skills that go into production. Nowadays, it’s normal to be able to film, light a set, capture audio, edit, etc. But if you look at traditional film production, that’s not the case. Most people stick to their one role. So, especially back then when I was still in my hometown city of Ottawa, I was one of the few people there who had the ability to do all the various parts of production. I was filming music videos for artists and promos for nightclubs, and I started becoming known in my city for the work I was doing. I eventually got the opportunity to shoot a Grey Goose commercial. I only got paid $500 to make it because the job came through a local nightclub, which acted as a sort of middleman in the deal. But at the time, I wasn’t mad about it. I was happy to take the opportunity, and it made me realize that my hobby could grow into something more. I knew I could be making a living off it someday.

Yes! Now you’re working with all kinds of big-name brands for commercial spots, as well as creating narrative content. Your production company, Room 1041, specializes in media for the digital space. What do you notice are some of the differences when working within that space, as compared to more traditional filmmaking?

Social media moves so quickly, especially compared to the pace of making a TV show, which can take upwards of three months just to make the pilot. There is series-based content coming out in the digital space every day, which I think works better in terms of feedback. When you post content to social media, there’s immediate engagement with and reactions from your audience, which gives you analytics to work off of. Right away, you’re finding out what’s working and what’s not working. So, each week, you can be tweaking installments in a digital series to improve each episode and better reach your audience. I think that’s such a cool aspect of filmmaking in the digital space that’s not currently an option in traditional film production. I feel like a lot of TV shows get canceled because the feedback on them comes too late.

Thanks for sharing that insight, and I know you also work with celebrities from the more traditional side of film/TV, such as Nick Cannon, as well as big names in the influencer space. Is there any desire to merge the two worlds?

There’s just a natural curiosity between the two spaces. I feel like now more than ever, celebrities want to utilize the social media spotlight. The Rock and Will Smith come to mind as examples. Then on the other side, influencers can also want to have a taste of the type of stardom that comes from being in TV shows or movies. The numbers that influencers are getting in terms of views, are pretty mind-blowing for celebrities from film/TV. Just for an example, Room 1041 is generating one billion views a month for our creators. So, when celebrities hear that type of engagement, they’re often interested in collaborating. Since I know a lot of creators in the digital space, it’s a natural thing for me to want to connect the two worlds. I’ve always felt that Hollywood isn’t taking influencers seriously, but that is starting to change slowly. I feel a certain sense of responsibility, though, to help fully take it where it needs to be, which does involve merging traditional film/TV and content in the digital space. And I think my teacher, Cary Granat, will eventually be leading a film that involves celebrities and influencers coming together to make a feature.

That’s fascinating to hear, and now it’s time for my favorite question. If someone made a film about your life story, which actor would you want to play the role of Strø Galang To?

That’s such a fun question. I may not have the most exciting answer for you, though, because it would have to be one of my friends who’s an actor/influencer. I’ll say Steven Spence as an example. The reason for choosing someone I know is they would understand me well enough to play me — my friends already imitate me in real life. Plus, I absolutely love inside jokes and am sure I could trust one of them to create some great inside jokes on set. And as far as this film’s genre, it would have to be a comedy set in the year 3000 because I’m a big fan of sci-fi.

Great choice! Now, you’re known for discovering and fostering internet talent. Is there anyone we should be keeping an eye out for right now?

I’ll first say that it’s always a really cool experience to be with creators through the journey of starting with small numbers and then them getting to the level where they’re well-known. When I first met Adam W., for example, he had around 200,000 followers. Since I’ve worked with him, he now has more than 18 million followers on TikTok and 5 million followers on Instagram. So, it’s special to see the growth of people I know from the beginning, and I still love connecting with talented people that aren’t yet famous. One of my favorite things to do is find and foster talent. I’ll hit up random people on Instagram and TikTok who I think are really good, ask for their number, and give them a 30-minute call to encourage them. Because, I can just see that they have something there. As far as someone I think you should be looking out for right now, there’s this person named Warren Ambercrombie. He’s a really talented guy who does a lot of sketches. There are so many different types of content on social media right now, but I feel like sketches have stood the test of time. Everyone loves a good sketch.

Strø Galang To (center) with influencer_actors from L-R Twan Kuyper, Lele Pons, Hannah Stocking, and Adam Waheed. Photo courtesy of Strø Galang To.

I know I do. And before we wrap, do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I’m working on an app that’s exclusively for creative influencers, and I recently launched my Directed by Strø Film School. That’s been really cool for me since I started off wanting to be a teacher. It definitely feels like my full circle moment of getting to teach the younger generation of filmmakers. And then, hopefully one day there will be a movie. That’s all I’ll say for now.

From his original career pursuits to his full circle moment that came with opening his own film school, this has been a look into the person whose body of work in the digital space is responsible for more than one billion views a month. Those interested in learning more about To and his work can check out the site for his company, Room 1041.

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This interview has been edited and condensed.

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