Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicholas Manlavi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicholas, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Fear is something that I feel is essential to the human experience. It makes us who we are, especially if we can push through it. I feel like the dated standard of being brave is reductive when talking about overcoming adversity.
Being truly effective and successful is a matter of persistence and learning to use fear as a fuel while still being scared to death.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve spent a lot of my adulthood inconsistently wading my way through many failures in the world of art. Maybe it’s from growing up in modern times; some people see art as a competition. As soon as I began working in film, I realized that art can be a form of camaraderie and collaboration.
As soon as I got to Atlanta, I learned that the independent film industry is full of exciting opportunities to work with people telling authentic and novel stories. I moved here from Memphis two years ago, and I already feel at home in the local arts culture. The hustle and talent I see in these two cities I call home are something that truly inspire me to be both a better artist and a better person on a daily basis.
As far as what’s next for me,
Ava Davis recently gave me the opportunity to work as her Director of Photography for a couple projects this year. She is an auteur filmmaker here in Atlanta and makes some awesome and insanely clever films. I am very excited to be led by her creative instincts as we’ move forward.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The main thing that’s helped me in my journey is humility. When you’re young is so easy to dodge the fact that you’re wrong or have made a mistake. I’m looking for my own mistakes as often as I can and always reminding myself that I’m a product of my peers and friends and that anything I’ve done for myself, I’ve done with the love and help of those around me.
Another area of knowledge that pushes me forward is understanding light. Poetic as it is, capturing beautiful images involves close attention to light and darkness the same way that we have to take both the good and the bad times in life. There is no image without light and dark, and there is no joy without pain and adversity.
The last thing is a message to my younger self and those that are artists. We aren’t ever done learning. The point in time that you feel like you have everything figured out is the time that you need to examine yourself and find out how much better you can be or become.
How would you describe your ideal client?
An ideal client to me is someone who is very sure about the image they’re trying to achieve. I’ve been making music videos lately with an artist known as Dante Severo. Every video we make, we sit down and gives me vivid ideas of the message he’s trying to send through his art.
As much as I love having control in the creative process, working with clients that have a strong idea or concept are the best to work with. If I have a carbon copy of what my client wants to achieve, then I’m able to use my strength as a filmmaker more effectively.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @filipino_noir
- Youtube: @balisongpictures
Image Credits
Brookelyn Culley
