We recently connected with Derek Nunn and have shared our conversation below.
Derek, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
One of the many ways that I keep my creativity not only alive, but thriving, is by exposing myself to multiple forms of art that vary in style. I’ve learned to admire creativity from other cultures, artists and perspectives that inform my outlook on the world. From the vast world of anime, music and street fashion to the endless works of painters, performance artists and even architecture, I envelope myself in the things that inspire me to create. Through my professional years within the entertainment industry, I have been fortunate to work alongside some of the most creative people in the world, constantly in awe of what one can muster from their soul. As long as nature continues to thrive within her beauty, the threat of creative death is never near.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As far back as I can possibly remember, I have been an artist. Many of my earliest memories consist of Jazz music playing throughout the house, while my mother practiced violin and my father read science fiction novels. A theatre loving, music savant turned story-teller, I knew my life would revolve around art long before I moved to Los Angeles and joined the film industry. After my first day on a chaotic, fast-paced film set, I was hooked. The pace, the language, the camaraderie – everyone working together toward the common goal of creating something amazing for the world to see, left me knowing there was no other place for me in the world than this creative environment. It was as if a circus, construction site and magic show was somehow taking place at the same time, operating in unison. At the monitor was a glimpse of the finish product with meticulously, controlled madness happening in the background. I had never felt more alive and madly in love in my life! I wanted to know more.
After 15 years of productions, film festivals, board rooms and massive events, I knew it was time for me to create, so I started my own production & clothing company. MagnumOpus Productions and The CRWS Company allow me to continually recreate the feeling of excitement and intrigue that pulled me in that first day on set, collaborating with a new community and generation of talented artists. I have been blessed to work around the world, but having Tacoma, WA be my base of operations continues to bring a new level of joy to the projects we create, with WILD DREAMS being the first of many films and television projects we have slated for production.
With festivals, screening events and clothing pop-ups planned for the near future, I have been overwhelmed by the massive waves of support the community has shown me, with so much more in the works.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Study. Network. Follow Up. Whatever your discipline or area of work, you should be continually studying the greats, the industry advances and history. You will never be past the ability to learn more than you currently know and continuing to study will surprisingly open doors of opportunity for that will astound you.
They say, it’s not what you know it’s who you know, which is largely true for the the most part. Gaining a good network and maintaining a good name/relationship with people that you can glean from will make more of a difference than any amount of knowledge you can acquire. I’ve had meetings more fruitful for me than a years worth of experience. Many times, your network is worth more than knowledge and experience. Nepotism anyone. But in support of my last point, after you meet the right people through networking, what you know will work in your favor. There’s an African proverb that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Now after you study to get yourself in the right position for those you will eventually network with, you will have to remain consistent. It’s true that you never get a second chance at a first impression, but I’ve been completely written off by high profile individuals due to poor second impressions. That is when I learned the importance of following up with intention… and you should too. Don’t impress someone and follow up with a lesser quality of energy than when you met them. Each early encounter should be greater than last, leaving a lasting effect on the person you wish to do business with.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
By far, the most impactful thing my parents did for me is expose me to as many arts, sports and interest they possible could. From working behind the scenes at the local zoo and reading/watching sci-fi with my dad, to learning instruments and theatre with my mother, I was exposed to art and science in a way that left a lifelong impression on me.
Contact Info:
- Website: thecrws.com, onetableshow.com
- Instagram: @thecrwscompany, @magnumopuspro, @nunn_other
