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

Nika, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Virtual production has emerged as one of the most significant trends in the filmmaking industry, offering both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. It’s a major shift in how films are made, allowing filmmakers like myself to create immersive worlds and scenes in real-time within a controlled virtual environment. It’s what we have started to call a “return to form.” The opportunities are pretty endless. It enables greater creative freedom, cost-efficiency, and the ability to take major weight off of the shoulders of post-production. Admittedly, there are challenges such as initial setup costs, the amount of technical knowledge required, and what I think may be the elephant in the room, an overreliance on technology. It helps that I work with a forward-thinking production and tech-house called RiTE Media, who are pushing the envelope by taking on these challenges.

Rite Media recognized the potential of virtual production almost a decade ago when extended reality (XR) began gaining mainstream traction. Their commitment to democratizing these technologies has empowered creative storytellers like myself to utilize virtual production. Last holiday season, I co-directed a film with Ryan Monolopolous featuring a psychotic Santa attempting to warn the world of an impending alien invasion. I was able to control every aspect of the virtual environment, from time of day, season, virtual props, the timing of special effects, and more. Watching the physical and virtual worlds integrate with each other was pretty captivating. The team behind the project killed it. Check out the film on Vimeo! It’s called “The Future is Now”.

Nika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Thanks to my parents, I started at a pretty young age. I spent some time early on shooting sketches, music videos, acting in/directing plays, and playing music. It wasn’t until my junior year of college, three years into a biology degree, that I pivoted and chose to be a filmmaker. Shortly after finishing my degree, I moved to Atlanta and started working with some of the best in the industry.

Since moving to Atlanta I’ve continued to branch outside of my comfort zone. I work in different capacities on set to become a better filmmaker who can work creatively and efficiently to solve problems. I’ve failed a lot but I’ve become much better for it. I think of myself as someone with great drive and ambition, working relentlessly to make the dream happen while also pushing filmmaking to the next level with new tech.

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

Other than bringing imagination to life or the impact that it may have, I find the process of being creative very fulfilling. Having the ability to explore, experiment, and express oneself without constraints is something many artists strive for. For me it’s about learning more about myself and the world around me while enabling others to do the same.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creativity Inc is a great book that delves into the principles of leadership and management, particularly in creative industries. It discusses how to foster a creative culture, manage creative teams, and deal with the challenges that arise in such environments. It’s a great resource for creatives who want to learn a little more about the business.

I recently started The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin that helps reframe what it means to be a creative or an artist. It’s been a good read so far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nikatabidze.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatabidze_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikatabidze/