We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nick Dionisio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nick below.

Nick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my latest short film, PK.

Presenting authentic faith-based Christian stories is rare in film and television. Most of Christian media aims to solely proselytize their audiences over telling a compelling story, and paint a black-and-white depiction of secular versus religious living. The atheists are always evil, and the Christians always angels. PK aims to flip all of that on its head.

I grew up in a Christian household. I attended church every Sunday, went to Jesus-camp every summer, and have seen all of the notable Christian shows and movies. And most of them suck (besides VeggieTales, of course). So, I wanted to make a faith film that teenage Nick would love. And PK was born. It’s a coming-of-age comedy that displays the pressures of growing up as a Christian in modern youth culture. My goal was to present a perspective on what it means to “live like Jesus would”, rather than condemn or convert the audience.

PK is definitely my strongest and most personal work to date. It’s a story I have always wanted to share and I got to make it with some of my best friends. To have all of their names on this film is what makes it that much more meaningful to me. When the film was selected for the Montclair Film Festival, we knew we were doing something right. Seeing it on the big screen in a theater alongside all of my friends will be a memory I’ll never forget.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always knew I wanted to be a filmmaker. In middle school, I started editing YouTube videos, and in high school I started directing short films. When it came time to attend university, there was no question what I wanted to pursue. To save money I went to my cheapest option: Montclair State University. This was the greatest blessing in disguise ever. The film community at MSU is fantastic, as a student film is being shot almost every weekend. Anyone could show up and learn any position on set. So that’s what I did. Monday to Thursday would be classes and my part-time job, and Friday to Sunday would be spent on a student set. I gained so much knowledge and my peers became my network. Through connections with my peers, I was lucky enough to key grip my first feature film the summer before my senior year of film school. Since then, I’ve made a living from freelance set work, and have the time and funds to write and direct my own projects.

When I’m not bundled up at home writing a new script or directing actors for my next short, you’ll probably still find me somewhere on set. There’s nothing like being on set. I’m mostly known for my work in the grip, electric, and camera departments on dozens of films and documentaries. Along with my work in the film industry, I’ve worked with television crews for MLB Network, Netflix, and NHL Network.

What sets me apart from the rest is not my talent. It’s character. Having a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and being a good person are the most important qualities to succeed. No one wants to work with someone they don’t like. In high school, a mentor told me that when I enter a room, I should not look for how everyone there can benefit me, but how I can benefit them. Along with this mindset, I aim to do everything with excellence and always try my best. Even when things don’t go as planned, I try to maintain optimistic and look for solutions. This combined with my own creativity is what sets me apart.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There is nothing more rewarding than being an artist. Sure, it definitely comes with some difficulties. Struggling to commercialize one’s own work, having several side hustles to pay the bills, and self-inflicted shame for not working enough on one’s own art are just a few. When going through these tough moments, it’s hard to know if any of the effort is really worth it.

I must remember that being able to engage in the creative process is a privilege in itself. I am beyond grateful to be in the position to create art. How lucky am I that I get to do something so fulfilling that many people rarely engage in. When I get to create art, I learn more about myself, the world, and the people around me. I get to say something that I am passionate about and present it in a way that only I can. That is what is truly rewarding about being an artist. It becomes even more gratifying when a person is able to connect with my art. When someone says “I see you” or even “I see me” after seeing my art, that’s when I know I’ve done something right.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently in the midst of the biggest pivot in my career so far. At the start of 2024, I moved 500 miles away from home for a potential new job.

For the past 2 years, I have been building my freelancing network. It started off super small, as I was finding videography and photography gigs that I could squeeze in between my college courses and my part-time fast food job. From there I grew my circle of friends, who I was able to move-up with. Eventually, I would find myself with those same people working on sports networks, documentaries, and indie feature films. Growing with these people who are not only my creative collaborators but my closest friends, has been the most fulfilling experience.

However, I was recently offered an opportunity to work at one of the biggest social media companies in the world. It’s an opportunity that rarely comes by, and that many people could only dream of getting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond grateful. But this would not only mean leaving my freelancing business behind, but also my friends, family, and home.

I strongly believe that life is all about the relationships we form in it. Admittedly, change is tough for me. Especially when it means parting ways with something/someone you love. But I decided to take the leap. I have no idea how this will turn out or what will come from it, but sometimes you just have to let go and see where life will take you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/NickDionisio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-dionisio-3bb116274/
• Youtube: youtube.com/NickDionisio

Image Credits
Reilly McHugh, Peter Di Prospero, Zack Krasnansky, Khushi Patel,