Monthly Maidstone Spotlight – Nocturnal Pictures
From wrestling rings to film sets, Leroy Kincaide has forged an unconventional path as founder of Nocturnal Pictures. Based in Maidstone, he now crafts bold action and horror films, sharing insights on creativity, challenges, and why fortune favours the brave.
Before launching your film production company, you had a really eclectic background – how did it all start?
I worked in entertainment for a while – I was actually a pro wrestler. It was a huge part of my life but I eventually fell out of love with it. I still wanted to do something on the big screen so I started out doing some extra work on films, then one day, I just decided to try to make something myself.
In 2014, I shot my first short film. I acted in it, did a bit of martial arts – I realised I loved the process of thinking of an idea, creating the script and managing the whole project. And that’s how Nocturnal Pictures was born. I started to really take it seriously in 2016; that was the year things changed and I felt really compelled to tell stories and just really enjoy the creative outlet.
What kind of films do you make?
We specialise in action and horror. Action makes sense for me because of my wrestling and martial arts background. But horror is also a natural fit because of my life experiences. I actually worked as an undertaker when I was younger — I saw a lot of things that gave me a unique perspective on life and death.
That shaped how I view storytelling. I tend to explore the darker elements of life, but I always juxtapose that with light. My wrestling helps with action, my time as an undertaker informs the horror. Both come together in the style of films we make at Nocturnal Pictures
We’re currently in the post production stage of our second horror feature film, As Night Falls. We haven’t secured distribution yet, so the goal is to hold an industry red carpet premiere in November this year in Leicester Square and then start looking for active buyers for the movie.
You’re based in Maidstone – why there?
I’ve lived in Maidstone for about 30 years. I spent a few years in London as a kid, but Kent has always been home. It’s a great area for shooting. I find London tends to look the same on screen — everyone recognises it instantly. But around Maidstone, Rochester, the Medway towns, there are locations with some great untapped creative aesthetics.
We’ve already seen Netflix starting to use Kent for shoots, so the word is slowly spreading.
You’ve been to some MBC business events – tell us about that
We went to a few in the early days which were helpful for just soaking up information. We spoke to people in banking, people connected to the council — it was a whirlwind. Film is such a bespoke industry that not all “normal” business practices apply, but you do naturally find common ground with other businesses – it was useful to get that broader perspective.
Later, in 2022/23, we got involved in some pitching events for funding. We didn’t secure investment at the Maidstone event, but it was a good experience and we did win the southeast startup competition for the “best pitch” by Southeast Angels.
What’s been your biggest challenge to date?
It’s not the business itself, it’s mindset – staying true to your vision when you’re surrounded by fog. When you’re knocking on so many doors and none are opening, you can feel disheartened and start rationalising your way out of what you’re doing.
We’re so used to relying on outside approval. We go to school and get a merit system and listen to everyone else telling us if we can do it or not. My school experience was a bit of a blessing – I was disruptive, which I understand now was probably due to undiagnosed autism. But I just did things, I didn’t wait for other people to tell me to. And I draw on that now – it can be very easy to lose sight of what you started to do and think everyone knows better, but no one really has a clue – you have to trust enough in yourself.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Nocturnal Pictures?
Since The Last Rite in 2021, I’ve written five or six scripts. The plan is to take As Night Falls to market and then move onto a project with a real budget the film deserves — something that lets me create at the level I know I can. Probably an action-based project, maybe with a gritty superhero edge.
The long-term vision is to build Nocturnal Pictures into a kind of UK equivalent of Lionsgate but focused on action and horror. That’s the dream. It may sound ambitious, but everything breaks down project by project, step by step. Right now, it’s about building the team, and taking it film by film.
What advice would you give to others starting up a creative business?
Firstly, don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it doesn’t exist. Even if you don’t have the money yet, look at what you do have — a laptop, editing software, a camera — and use it. People get stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for all the answers. You don’t need to be great to get started, but you need to get started to be great.
Back in 2008 when I was wrestling, I told myself if I was going to do it, I needed to aim for WWE. I knew they were coming to London, so I went to the O2 with my kit, walked straight in through a fire exit, and somehow talked my way into a match on SmackDown in front of 20,000 people.
That night, I was even offered a developmental contract in Florida. It showed me something I still believe today: sometimes life gives you a glimpse of your potential before you’re ready to fully step into it. But you only get that glimpse if you’re bold enough to try.
Second: build a team that complements your weaknesses. I work with my partner, Chloe, and we work well together because where I’m weak, she excels, and vice versa. Partner with someone who has a different skillset to you – for filmmakers, that might mean pairing a director with a cinematographer, or a creative with someone business-minded.
Lastly, ignore the external noise – otherwise you end up so far from where you started and can end up moulding yourself to fit other people’s ideas. Listen to that inner child nudging you to try something and just develop it from there.
I always look back at my time as an undertaker and think – there will come a day where we won’t be here to live out our ideas so you have to do whatever is in your heart to do. Why play safe in a world where nobody gets out alive?
Nocturnal Pictures is currently seeking local businesses to sponsor the industry premiere of their Kent-shot film, As Night Falls, at Leicester Square. This exciting event will draw hundreds of industry professionals, including investors, distributors, press, and filmmakers, offering a prime opportunity for visibility. By supporting a local, bootstrapped company like Nocturnal Pictures, your brand will gain exposure to a diverse, influential audience, showcasing your commitment to fostering innovative storytelling and community-driven projects. Interested in sponsoring? Contact Chloe at chloe@nocturnalpictures.co.uk for more details.
Nocturnal Pictures has benefited from attending free networking and support events at The Business Terrace in Maidstone. These fully funded sessions are run by Maidstone Borough Council – future events can be found here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-business-terrace-17160214496
Find out more: https://www.nocturnalpictures.co.uk/