David Nixon Jr.

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
For my first professional directing effort, I would mention the spec commercial I directed for Zara’s fall/winter collection in 2020. I was able to pitch my concept to a local production company and closely work alongside them to produce a spec ad that gave me national recognition through an awards ceremony and allowed me to develop a relationship with the production house further. I’m most proud of this ad not only because of the quality and execution of everyone involved but also because we were able to make a great product at the height of the pandemic and display how our hard work, vision, and perseverance led an end product that I’m proud to say I directed and others were proud to say they were a part of.

How did you get into directing?
My journey as a director began with my love for photography and music. I used my interest to take photos and shoot music videos for local rap acts in my hometown of Indianapolis, IN. With that, alongside my love for cinema, I used each opportunity I had working with an artist to use their music video as a platform to show my artistic talents as a filmmaker and create captivating visuals that told stories to articulate and complement the music and message the artist was trying to convey to their audience.

What is your most recent project?
My most recent project is my short film, Lumps, which I wrote and directed. It was released earlier this year and is now on the festival circuit. I’m so proud of the authentic and heartfelt story I was able to tell with this movie. I gained invaluable knowledge and experience that further enhanced my confidence as a director and visual storyteller. I truly enjoyed the process of collaborating with all the talented cast and crew members on this project and am grateful Lumps has given me the opportunity to reach new audiences and grow in my profession as a filmmaker.

What is the best part of being a director?
For me, the best part about being a director has to be the collaboration process of taking a great idea and bringing it to life! The joy I get from seeing a shot I’ve contemplated on, or thought of spur of the moment, occur right in front of me on set creates total bliss and satisfaction! It warms my heart and fills my spirit with purpose and accomplishment. As a director, I feel validated when I see that my artistic endeavors can translate well in this medium and have the ability to reach an audience. However I learned early on in my journey that a director may have a great idea, but the idea will only go as far as the people helping them bring it to its full potential. I love having a team to create these pieces of art and tell these stories. It’s one of the reasons I’m even a filmmaker at all. I learned so much from the people I’ve been fortunate to work with. It’s helped me grow not only as a professional but as a person when I’m granted the opportunity to lead people on an artistic expedition with each film I create.

What is the worst part of being a director?
I honestly find it most disappointing when you have your heart set on executing a particular shot or gaining a particular moment on camera and for whatever reason, due to unforeseen circumstances, am unable to execute it. However, I learned the value of rolling with the punches when things don’t go your way. I think disappointment at times is natural in our line of work and comes with the territory. Being able to adapt and pivot when necessary in order to reach our goals on set, and in our careers, is what will keep us on track and foster the trait of perseverance which is necessary for a long and fruitful career.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
Currently, my career focus is commercials and branded content. I love what the space provides film directors and I think ads really give us an opportunity to sharpen our skills and develop new strengths that will go a long way for us. I plan on focusing on more drama and comedy-centered ads with fulfilling stories, that utilize visual effects and immersive art direction to enhance the audience experience and engagement.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
Yes, my mentors would be writer/director Yule Caise, commercial producer Annie Uzdavinis, and director of photography Ken Seng. I learned so much from these great professionals who helped me to get to where I am today. Upon first meeting with Yule, he’s been a guiding voice of reason and experience that’s helped me better understand the value of enjoying the journey we’re on as filmmakers. His insight and talent as a writer and director have been invaluable to me as I strive to achieve my own goals as a director in our business. Since my days as a commercial production intern with the Television Academy Foundation Annie has seen my potential and given me opportunities to grow in our industry. She has shown me what hard work at the highest levels truly looks like and has held me accountable in the process. Witnessing her relentless work ethic on a daily basis has been a marvel and inspires me to continue to do so on my own journey. Ken’s mentorship has shown me the value of relationships in our industry. As a PA when I first met Ken on a shoot he was kind, took me under his wing, and allowed me to see him work up close. Ken showed me how having great relationships in our business can help cultivate a long and successful career.

Who is your favorite director and why?
My favorite director is Spike Lee. Spike being my favorite director exists outside of just cinema. Growing up I was a fan of his even before I wanted to be a filmmaker. I just thought he was cool. His lingo; the way he dressed; the “It’s gotta be the shoes” Nike ads. He gave being a director a different look and feel than the others. He always seemed to have a place in my life for me growing up. I was a huge sneaker fan as a kid and Spike was a key figure in the culture and represented a unique and edgy take on how to market and create hype around a particular sneaker. Being from Indiana, it was always fun to see Spike Lee courtside at the Knicks vs. Pacer playoff games rooting against my home team. He always seemed to have some sort of profound presence in my world and the world around him, whether you were rooting for him or not. He wasn’t a rapper, or a gangster, or a ball player. He was a filmmaker; an artist who used his voice to transform the typical image of African Americans in American cinema. He humanized the black experience. Once I matured and became a filmmaker in my own right I was able to truly appreciate him and his love for the craft. He showed me the significance of using my art to have a voice.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
Growing up my favorite movie was Forrest Gump. I have a few television shows that I would consider my favorite such as Atlanta, Winning Time, Snowfall and Stranger Things. As someone pursuing my career focus in directing commercials, a spot that has become a favorite is the Amazon spot, “The Show Must Go On,” directed by Melina Matsoukas.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I was born in Savannah, Georgia but grew up with my mother and sister in Indianapolis, IN. I attended Tuskegee University where I became a photojournalist and proud member of the Marching Crimson Piper band. After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing I came back home to Indianapolis where I became a trainer and videographer for the State of Indiana’s Child Support Bureau. It was here that I started my filmmaking journey by doing small videos for the bureau. This ultimately led to my ascension in music video production where I directed music videos for several artists in the Indianapolis area. From there I enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design’s film and television program and earned my Master’s of Fine Arts Degree. While there I directed several spec commercials and was fortunate to become a Television Academy Foundation intern in commercial production and also served as an editorial intern cutting movie trailers for the creative agency, Wild Card under the HBCU in LA internship program. After graduating I moved to Los Angeles where I currently reside and have served as a post associate producer for the HBO documentary SHAQ while working for the Emmy® award-winning production company, Film-45.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
I haven’t had the opportunity quite yet, but I’m looking forward to embarking on this as a challenge for future endeavors on commercial and branded when given the opportunity.

Contact

• David Nixon Jr., Email: dnixon23.dn@gmail.com