We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicholas Humphries a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicholas, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I think I’ve always known it’s something I wanted, I just didn’t know that it was possible until later in life. I grew up writing and making silly short films in my backyard but I graduated from university feeling pretty lost. I had gone in wanting to pursue writing but I met so many talented people during that time that I decided I just wasn’t that great at it. Not long after graduation I applied for an office position at a film school and my boss insisted I try a bunch of crew roles. My first short film as a director won audience choice at a reputible film festival and it was like a light went on. I was warned how difficult it is to succeed in the film industry but felt that I’d rather spend my life chasing a dream and failing than to have not tried at all. So it was a hobby for many years before I started getting regular work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a film and television director from Vancouver, Canada. I directed my first short film in 2006 and quit my job to work as a director full time in 2023. Although I have a passion for dark fantasy and horror, I get to direct all kinds of things from sci-fi thrillers to romcoms, mostly in the made-for-tv movie space. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to collaborate with just about anyone, in a variety of mediums and budgets. And I’m always excited to be there. Every day on set I’m reminded of how lucky I am to get to do what I do. I think the thing I’m most proud of is that I’m now in a place where I get to travel quite a bit for work. Imposter syndrome is real but there’s something about getting sent to another country to do your thing that takes the edge off a little.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of a creative career is that no two days are the same. I’ve worked a lot of jobs to get by from delivering newspapers to fast food to retail to office work and the thing that would make me the most depressed is the repetitiveness of it all. As a director, no two problems are the same. And when you come up with a solution and it works, that’s what makes me drive home with a smile on my face. I also think all the anxiety involved in creative gig work makes it all the more rewarding when you get called back. You need those low lows to feel the high highs.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This may be more of a creative culture thing than society at large, but I think we need to let go of being competitive and just support one another. It’s easy to react when you see someone else succeeding at something you want but that just hurts both parties. I’ve always tried to celebrate the success of the people around me and that positivity has always come back my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicholashumphries.ca

Image Credits
Kharen Hill