Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas.
Hi Nicholas, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I actually started out in a pretty structured, corporate environment—working my way up at ESPN. Before that, I interned at PBS, which gave me a taste for storytelling and production. At ESPN, I began as a production assistant and eventually became an associate director in the international department, directing live sports and X-Games programming. It was a crash course in high-pressure production and taught me how to stay creative under tight deadlines.
But after a while, I realized I didn’t just want to execute someone else’s vision—I wanted to shape my own. So I left ESPN and started my company, Smart Media L.L.C. At first, it was a straightforward production company, creating commercials and infomercials. Over time, that evolved into producing independent films and documentaries, like Sticky: A (Self) Love Story and the Hell’s Kitty franchise, which started as a web series and grew into a feature film and musical.
What’s interesting is that my work eventually came full circle. I began applying the same storytelling techniques I used in entertainment to corporate media—helping organizations communicate more effectively through training videos, learning and development tools, and knowledge management systems. That combination of creativity and structure became the foundation of what Smart Media is today.
These days, I like to think of myself as someone who bridges both worlds. I still write, direct, and create music, but I also consult for major companies like Disney, Fox, and ESPN, helping them communicate human stories in business contexts. It’s a balance that keeps me inspired and grounded.
Most recently, I launched a blog called Corporate Zombie Survival, where I share lessons on how creatives can thrive in the corporate world without losing their soul. It’s part satire, part survival guide—but at its heart, it’s about showing that the same imagination and emotional awareness that make us artists are also what make us invaluable in business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I don’t think it’s supposed to be. Every meaningful path has its bumps, right?
When I left ESPN to start my own company, I had no safety net. I went from having a steady corporate job to building something from scratch. There were years when I was juggling client work during the day and editing my own film projects at night, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. Sticky: A (Self) Love Story in particular took years to finish—it was a true labor of love. There were technical hurdles, financial struggles, and moments where I seriously questioned my sanity.
But looking back, those challenges forced me to get creative in ways I wouldn’t have if everything had gone smoothly. I learned how to produce on a shoestring budget, how to wear multiple hats, and how to turn limitations into creative opportunities. Hell’s Kitty, for example, started as a fun web series I made with friends and my cat. It ended up becoming a comic book, a full-blown feature film, and a musical. None of that would’ve happened if I hadn’t learned to pivot and adapt.
Even now, balancing the business and creative sides of my work can feel like walking a tightrope. But I’ve come to see those challenges as part of the process. Every setback teaches you something about persistence, humility, and finding humor in the chaos. And sometimes, that humor is what keeps you alive—figuratively and creatively.
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?
At the core, I’m a storyteller. Whether I’m directing a documentary, writing a children’s book, or designing a corporate training module, it all comes down to connecting people through story.
I run Smart Media L.L.C., which started as a production company and has evolved into a hybrid creative agency and consulting firm. We do everything from instructional design and eLearning to filmmaking, writing, and knowledge management. It might sound like an odd mix, but to me, they’re all connected—the same principles that make a movie engaging also make business communication effective.
On the creative side, I’ve written and directed projects like Sticky: A (Self) Love Story, which was recognized as an Amazon Video Direct Stars Winner, and Hell’s Kitty, which grew from a quirky web series into a feature film, musical, and comic franchise. I’m also the author of The Little Lion That Listened, which was honored as a 2023 Independent Press Award Winner for Best Audio Book and a 2023 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite in the Picture Books-Preschool category. Seeing that book connect with children and parents—and win recognition for both print and audio—was incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart, I think, is that I’ve learned how to bridge worlds that don’t usually talk to each other. I’ve taken what I learned in entertainment—emotional storytelling, visual communication, pacing—and brought it into the corporate environment to make training, communication, and learning more human and engaging.
I’m proud of being able to make a living doing what I love, without having to choose between art and stability. And I’m especially proud when something I’ve created—whether it’s a film, a blog post, or a corporate workshop—helps someone see their own potential differently.
That’s also what inspired me to start my blog, Corporate Zombie Survival. It’s part satire, part survival guide—but really, it’s about helping other creatives navigate the corporate world without losing their spirit. I like to think of it as a reminder that the same imagination and empathy that fuel great art can also keep us human in business.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is creating things that connect with people. I like to use creativity to explore why we’re all in this crazy world together—to reduce suffering, to bring laughter, and to stretch the boundaries of imagination and consciousness. In that way, creativity becomes both a spiritual mission and a way of life. That’s what gives my work meaning.
On a personal level, spending time with my family brings me the most joy. Whether it’s reading stories, watching movies, walking on the beach, meditating, or simply being in the same room together—sleeping, dreaming, just existing side by side—those are the moments that fill me up. My daughter, Catalina, reminds me every day why creativity matters. Because she doesn’t speak, I have to feel my “why” through what she sees. I never fully know what she’s thinking, so I have to use my heart and imagination to connect. Living that way has changed my art completely—it’s made me more patient, more curious, and more attuned to the emotional language that lives beneath words.
That influence runs through everything I create, even in my sci-fi noir graphic novel eJUNKY, which explores a future where pain and suffering have been largely eradicated—but at a cost. In that world, people begin to crave pain again because it’s the only thing that makes them feel truly alive and conscious. I think, in a way, we’re all navigating that same paradox. Pain, struggle, and uncertainty are often what give our lives meaning. Art and story are how we process those challenges, how we transform them, and how we step into the role of creators ourselves. And honestly, I can’t think of anything more spiritual—or more human—than that.
That’s also something I try to do through my business, Smart Media. The world is overflowing with information and artificial intelligence—but it’s starving for wisdom. Nobody’s talking about Artificial Wisdom, because the idea itself sounds ridiculous. Wisdom comes from emotional groundedness, from loss, mistakes, and suffering. Those experiences are what make us human. They connect us, keep us curious, and inspire us to grow. I try to bring that depth into everything I do—because, frankly, there’s already enough dumb media out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CorporateZombieSurvival.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholastana/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholastana/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicholas-tana-3b998b6
- Twitter: https://x.com/nicholastana/status/1550259942120374272
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicholastanamusic
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BIuKTCX1u3uo8ooIRReiB
- Other: https://www.smartmediallc.com
