Check Out David Nixon Jr.’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Nixon Jr..

Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a filmmaker began in my hometown of Indianapolis, IN in 2016 where I began directing promotional videos for government agencies as well as music videos for local Hip-Hop artists. Within a few years, my love and desire for growth and knowledge within the craft prompted me to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA, where I received my Master’s Degree in Film and Television. While at SCAD, I further invested in my growth as a filmmaker, where I directed, produced, and edited spec commercials for Tesla and Zara. The latter of the two earned me national recognition at the 2021 Telly Awards, where I won a gold, silver, and bronze award for my efforts as a director and producer. My Tesla commercial received recognition as well, receiving a Southeast Regional Emmy Awards nomination in the student commercial category in 2021. In the spring of that year, I began production on my thesis film, Lumps, which I wrote, directed, produced, and edited. With the help of my stellar crew members and cast, I was able to make a film that came from the heart and yet spoke to the hearts of audiences alike, as I was able to later premiere the film at the Atlanta Film Festival in 2023.

In the summer of 2021, I was selected for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Internship Program, where I interned in the Commercial Production category. That same summer I also interned with Wild Card Creative Group as an Editorial intern, cutting movie trailers for major studio films alongside the Sr. Editors in the company. This particular internship opportunity was fostered by the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program’s (EICOP) HBCU in LA internship cohort.

Upon completing my graduate studies from SCAD in the fall of 2021, I moved to Los Angeles, CA, where I was given the opportunity to serve as a Production Assistant at the 94th Annual Academy Awards ceremony the following spring of 2022. Afterwards, I served as an office Production Assistant for the Emmy-winning unscripted production company, Film-45. While there I was given the privilege of working in the Development department as a Jr. Editor cutting sizzles for documentary shows the company pitched to major networks and studios. I was also given the honor of serving as a Post Associate Producer for the HBO Docuseries, “SHAQ” documenting the life, career, and success of Shaquille O’Neal.

During my time at Film-45, my thesis film, Lumps also received national recognition at the Directors Guild of America’s headquarters in New York City, as I was selected to be included in the SHOOT Magazine’s New Directors Showcase Class of 2023.

After my stint with Film-45, I accepted the position as Assistant Editor and Editor in the Development department at Pantheon Media Group, where I still hold the position to this day.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say my path to the success has been challenging, like all goals that one would strive for in life. Though I’ve experienced moments where the road to certain achievements may have been without much resistance, the overall journey didn’t come without its share of struggles to balance out the process. Most of the obstacles I’ve faced stemmed from learning how to persevere when plans didn’t always pan out as I intended or within the time frame I had hoped. I’ve also found it challenging having to restart my life, per se, every time I moved to a new location to further my career. Though it was exhilarating to start a new chapter of my life in a new location, the challenges, personally and emotionally, that came from those decisions really forced me to access my priorities and grow as a person and professional in order to sustain myself and grow in that new position.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
These days, my primary focus is on growing as an Editor and Commercial Director. Through my day-to-day job as an Editor, I continue to hone my skills in that area as it challenges and fuels my creativity to help others shape their stories, bringing their vision for a show or movie to life through the post-production process. I’ve found this has helped me in my directing as I honestly feel one skill facilitates growth in the other. Outside of my employed position, I’ve continued to pursue my goal of being a Commercial Director by creating treatments for spec commercials that I executive produce, direct, edit, and even shoot the branding photos to go alongside the ads. I then add these projects to my reel and share with producers and production companies in hopes of landing an opportunity to direct a commercial. This process has helped me receive valuable feedback from professionals who I admire while also fostering a growing relationship with them, which I feel is one of the most important components to longevity and success in our industry.

As a filmmaker, I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to experience success and unforgettable experiences in various areas of the craft. Whether it be as a Production Assistant, a Producer, Director, Editor, or Photographer I’m proud of the success and achievements I’ve been able to experience in each area, and I look forward to what the future in these various positions hold for me.

I think a trait that has helped set me apart from others has been my diverse skillset as a filmmaker and the ability to adapt to change and quickly develop new skills along the way. Though I feel many other artists alike possess this quality, for me, I’ve felt I’ve been able to ascend regardless of the location, circumstance, obstacle, or setback that may have come my way. Pairing that with my networking skills and ability to forge genuine relationships with my peers and mentors, I’m confident I will continue to not only succeed in my life but also bring people together to create works of art that everyone involved can be proud of.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the industry continuing to adapt to the rapid changes in technology through the methods in which we produce and distribute content as we grow accustomed to AI’s influence on modern society. I believe certain jobs within the film industry will, unfortunately, be replaced, while others require implementing AI into the development and execution process of how content is formed. Though this may seem like a negative in some respects, in others I feel AI, and other advancing technologies, will provide tools that weren’t previously available in the past and will help better streamline certain processes and may even make it easier to create complex visuals and express certain ideas that may have otherwise been more difficult in the pass.

Overall, I feel that though these changes are inevitably going to exist within our world and industry, it is important nevertheless to remember and sustain the values and fundamentals of original storytelling. Regardless of how advanced technology becomes, if we hold onto these principles, we will be able to continue creating timeless works of art with riveting stories that will last for generations, as did the ones who came before us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nix_effect/?hl=en

Image Credits
Jalen Aliyu
Kody Peaks
Rahiek Whitlow
Shacar
Jeanette Schock
Danny Mendonca