Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Ley.
Hi Nick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a Miami native and, as such, hate all temperatures below 74 F. That, coupled with an intense desire to blossom in other areas of my career, besides acting, kept me bound to the Golden State. While I pursued acting, I allowed my other areas of artistic expertise to shine. I wrote my first few features, I collaborated on a series we ended up selling to a network, I learned to tap-dance, rollerblade, tarot-read, DJ, and more, all while making ends meet as a Lyft driver.
One day, as I dropped off what would be my last passenger at their job at a big, fancy animation studio, I inquired, “how would someone like me get a job at a place like this?” The answer was short yet, life-changing: “go to a temp agency!” So, I clocked out, drove to Macy’s, bought a pair of slacks, and walked into the office with one request, “I’d like to work at a studio, please.” They informed me of a Business & Legal job that would be starting the very next day at that very same animation studio. “I’ll take it!” And before I knew it, I was walking through the iron gates of one of the most well-known studios in the world.
What followed was three years of establishing myself in the animation space. Working my way up from assistant, I am now at a new animation studio as the Production Coordinator on an upcoming Netflix series.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obviously, I’m not someone who is satisfied doing just one thing. Changing lanes isn’t easy. All my life, I’ve been subjected to the notion that we’re supposed to have a singular goal and to chase it with laser-focus. For every pivot I made, I was plagued by inner-demons saying, “you’re just giving up again,” or, “jack-of-all-trades, master of none.”
I have been gifted with, firstly, privilege. I am a white-skinned Hispanic with hard-working parents who provided me with incredible education. Secondly, I have an impressive ability to pick up new skills. Whether it’s learning finger-picking on the guitar or roller-skating backwards, when I set my mind to something, I accomplish it with haste and panache.
Striving to be a Renaissance man in a post-Renaissance world oftentimes feels inefficacious. But, whenever I’m feeling low, I can proudly look at my life and revel in its kaleidoscope of experiences, occupations, and people, and know I’m living to the fullest.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Production Coordinator on an upcoming Netflix animated series with Moonbug Entertainment. Essentially, I help align production and creative to ensure that deadlines are met and that the galleon sails smoothly. Interfacing with Netflix, our animation partners at Atomic, and Moonbug creative, I help keep the flow of information moving. Moonbug is a relatively new company but has managed to make a huge name for itself in the kids’ animation space. Sometimes the pace is break-kneck, but that’s always been my favorite way to learn.
On the first and fifth Fridays of the month, I host a radio show entitled “Strictlynickley’s Music Schoolbus.” Global music is one of my favorite pastimes, and this is my monthly opportunity to share it with the world. Each month, I select a different region and present a “musicational” journey inspired by it. Showcasing everything from that area’s traditional music to its contemporary stylings, I leave no genre unturned in this two-hour musical field trip. Catch it each month at GutsyRadio.org.
I also work, part-time, with a company called “What the Float.” What we put on is a very special event that can only be described as a silent-disco/pub-crawl/
How do you think about happiness?
No offense to Sartre, but I believe that heaven is other people. Making other people happy makes me happy. I think that goes for anyone who enters a life in entertainment.
More simply; board games, video games (I’m an avid Dead by Daylight and Stardew Valley player), roller skating, rock-climbing, sharing music, nature, and anything that brings about a sense of accomplishment makes me happy. It took me a long time to reconcile my love of video gaming and any other skill-based hobby. I gave into this popular yet, self-destructive notion that gaming equals “bad for me.” Thanks to my therapist, however, I’ve linked it to a healthy need for accomplishment.
Life is a buffet and I’m not going until I’ve tried everything.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.iamnickley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strictlynickley/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/strictlynickley
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nick-ley
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/Allofthenick/
Image Credits
Cartoon by Andy Casadonte @Cazarts
