Today we’d like to introduce you to Niya Butler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi y’all, I’m Niya! I’m currently working at NBCUniversal/Bravo TV as a Production Coordinator on the Marketing Production team. Outside of my 9-5, I write and direct! I’m originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and have been living in Los Angeles, California for over two years. I graduated with a BA in Film Production from Louisiana State University.
While in school, I was able to begin my career with my first internship as a Screenwriting Intern for the Nashville Film Festival. Soon after, I was able to intern with Warner Bros. Discovery as a Production Intern with Warner Horizon. Following WDB, I went on to intern with the Producers Guild of America, then with NBCUniversal’s unscripted production team, then joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Gold Rising program while interning with Paramount Television Studios, then finished my interning career with NBCUniversal’s Universal Television’s development team. I was able to soon after join NBCUniversal’s West Coast Page Program where I went on to work with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment’s digital distribution team, Universal Content Productions’ physical production team, and finally Scripted Entertainment’s public relations team. Following the Page Program, I worked as an Administrative Assistant on the Digital Marketing team for Focus Features. I have nothing but positive things to say about everyone that I encountered. All of these opportunities gave me the knowledge and confidence to create work that I’m proud of while also being able to work with those around me in a creative space.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I will admit that it has not be as smooth as I’d imagined when I initially began to pursue this career. One of the first struggles I encountered was “getting a foot in the door.” I was unable to land an interview for any sort of internship in the beginning stages, but I pushed through the rejection and kept trying. Soon after, I got my first interview, which led to my first offer.
Imposter syndrome came to be the next struggle that I would have to battle. Once I’d gotten my foot in the door, I continuously had to remind myself that I was doing the right thing. There were times where I would make a mistake at work or not know something that was expected of me, and at the time, it would feel as if I were way in over my head. But I had to recognize that feeling of being “way in over my head,” was simply just me being challenged and growing.
Once I’d began to search for a full-time position post-Page Program, I struggled to land that full-time position. I had to improve my interviewing skills ten-fold. I had to learn how to communicate my experience, along with how it will impact the position I’m interviewing for.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
From working with various studios as an intern and now working full-time, I’ve been able to take this knowledge from over the years and apply it to my creative pursuits. When I began pursing Film Production in school, I learned to write scripts for the first time.
My first feature script titled, Precognition, went on to be an Official Selection Finalist for the 2024 Essence Film Festival. It’s a science-fiction thriller with coming-of-age themes and lots of betrayal.
As of recently, I’ve been working on another feature film of mine titled, The Paradoxical Green Cherry Blossom – an illusionary horror sci-fi full of big threats in small spaces. In October of 2024, I wrapped production on the proof of concept for this feature film and are planning on releasing it this year, 2025. Along with releasing it, I also I hope to make the feature one day through combined efforts of crowdfunding, investing, and… just being in it for the long-haul.
I aim to continue to create stories that are as engaging as they are scary, mysterious, thrilling, or saddening. This can only be done through the help of many, many, many talented individuals in the filmmaking business. My goal is to work with as many of them as I can to make captivating motion pictures that inspire and invoke reactions.
Any big plans?
For the future, I want to continue to write and direct. With the current state of the entertainment industry, I believe it’s very important for independent filmmakers to create and release what we create.
In 2026, I plan on shooting a few short films to add to my portfolio. I have a bunch of scripts under my belt that I’ve been juggling for a while – I’m ready to take them to the next level and execute my vision now.
I also plan on continuing to rally support and look for funding for my feature film, The Paradoxical Green Cherry Blossom. I’ve been working on this project for many years and can’t wait for it to released to the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.niyabutler.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niyajanea/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niya-butler/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@niyajanea
