An Inspired Chat with he/him/his Alix Oliver

he/him/his Alix Oliver shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Alix, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The proudest accomplishment I’ve had recently comes in two parts.

First, I realized that I’m not just building a single company—I’m building a multimedia corporation with the long-term goal of standing alongside giants like Disney and Universal. That corporation is Midnight Coffee, which already encompasses eight growing companies. At its core, Midnight Coffee is about letting creatives drive creative decisions and protecting the integrity of the art.

Second, I had the honor of speaking on three professional panels at DragonCon 2025: producer, director, and screenwriter. Being invited to those panels reaffirmed my place in the entertainment industry and gave me the chance to connect with some incredible people. The experience left me both inspired and excited to speak again in the future.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a showrunner, producer, screenwriter, and director known for my passion and dedication to storytelling across multiple media. I am also the CEO and Founder of Midnight Coffee, a multimedia corporation dedicated to empowering creatives and expanding into diverse areas of entertainment.

My journey began in high school, when I faced a life-changing challenge after being struck by an SUV, which left me with severe neurological injuries. Despite this, I pursued my dream of working in film and attended Kennesaw State University and the Georgia Film Academy, where I connected with fellow filmmakers who would later become collaborators and business partners.

In 2017, I wrote, produced, and directed my first short film, The Last Years of Abel Bernette, marking the beginning of my career as a filmmaker. By 2018–2019, I had earned certification in AVID Media Composition and worked in the Art Department on The Conjuring 3. That experience gave me a diverse set of skills, including prop making, 3D printing, graphic design, and the communication and organizational tools essential to professional film and television production.

Since then, I have expanded my portfolio with numerous short films, proof-of-concept projects, and music videos, while continuing to develop feature films and television series. In 2019, I founded Midnight Coffee Productions alongside peers from the Georgia Film Academy and various productions, and I continue to serve as CEO.

In 2021, I released Dead Serious: Beginning Before the End, a proof-of-concept short film that condensed the pilot episode of my envisioned series Dead Serious. The project went on to receive recognition at film festivals worldwide.

By 2024, I had expanded Midnight Coffee into a family of sister companies, including:
• Black Hole Studios – CEO/Founder: Will Frontera
• Bad Batch Entertainment – CEO/Founder: Bernard Ansa
• Midnight Coffee Casting – CEO/Founder: Crysilyn Childs
• Midnight Coffee Records – CEO/Founders: Evan Bailey & Bryce Longmire

Originally, Midnight Coffee also launched Midnight Coffee: West Coast under the leadership of Tarun Karthikeyan, but in 2024 Tarun rejoined the main company to help it grow, and the branch was closed.

In 2025, I recognized that my vision was never meant to be limited to a single company. Midnight Coffee has since expanded beyond film and television, with new ventures in development including an animation studio, a horror/thriller/suspense company, and a publishing division. These additions will bring the Midnight Coffee family to a total of eight companies.

Looking forward, I plan to continue developing feature films and television series, release my first studio albums, and direct music videos—all while building Midnight Coffee into a global multimedia corporation.

I credit my resilience and success to the unwavering support of my family, particularly my grandfather, who has been a guiding role model throughout my journey.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before pursuing film, I originally dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and even entered college on that path. Although I’ve always been strong in science, I quickly realized that the heavy focus on science and math wasn’t the right fit for me. During my sophomore year, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I truly wanted to do with my life. It wasn’t until I enrolled in an Introduction to Screenwriting class that everything clicked—I discovered my true passion and realized where I truly belong.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be this: don’t waste time worrying about what people think, and always keep personal relationships far away from business.

The first lesson matters because the world is full of people who will try to drag you down, judge you, and spread lies. But honestly—who cares? Haters will always hate because, deep down, they know they’ll never create, influence, or live the life you’re building.

The second lesson comes from experience. Over the years, I’ve learned that family can betray you faster than anyone else, and some people who call themselves friends don’t actually want the best for you.

Now, I watch everything closely. The moment I lose respect for someone toxic, I stop caring entirely. I make choices that serve me, and I live with the same unapologetic mindset that Eminem preaches: “I just don’t give a ****.”

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the industry is the idea that creatives are wrong and the studio always knows what’s right. While studios can bring valuable ideas to the table, the problem arises when those ideas lead to drastic changes that strip away the heart of the original creation. At the end of the day, a director or writer should always have the final say, because no one understands the vision better than the person who conceived it. The industry needs to stop taking originality and creative control away from the very people who bring these stories to life.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
What I think people might misunderstand about my legacy is the belief that it came easy—but it didn’t. I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve achieved, and I still have more work to put in. Nothing was handed to me. I had to seek out knowledge, sharpen my skills, and improve in every area that needed growth.

I refused to let people or relationships hold me back from succeeding. I’ve heard countless “NOs,” but I never let a single one stop me. Life is tough, but giving up isn’t an option. You have to take risks, push forward, and trust the process. Don’t let fear get in the way—because if you stay true and remain a good person, the good times will eventually come.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialalixoliver