With Butler: Jeff Nichols
About Jeff
Jeff Nichols is the writer/director behind acclaimed films such as Mud and Loving. His latest, The Bikeriders, is set to release later this year and features an incredible cast that includes Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer and someone we’ve gotten mis-googled for Austin Butler.
But before Jeff was a famous filmmaker working with A-list actors, he worked in our studio — helping us make brand films in our early days. He’s gone on to make the types of movies we love to watch, ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. And we’re proud to call him a great collaborator and an even better friend.
As part of our With Butler Series, Jeff shared his thoughts on work, collaboration and what he looks for in a creative partner.
In a word or two, how would you describe working with Butler?
Support. Marty and Adam have an infectious excitement about creating things, and they always encouraged my attempts to try.
What’s the one thing you love most about your job?
I love when an emotion or feeling I’ve experienced while writing is transferred to an audience. It’s wild to have something as ephemeral as a feeling carried through writing, production, and editing and still arrive intact for an audience to experience.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice someone has given you?
Make something. Waiting for permission to create things is the easiest way to never accomplish anything.
What quality do you value most in a collaborator?
Unfiltered brainstorming.Not every idea is going to be a winner. In fact, most are not. It’s so great to spitball with people that just let ideas loose.
Who’s the one person you work best with and why?
Michael Shannon and Adam Stone. These are the two gentlemen that have been with me on all six of my films and have given a voice and a look to each one. Michael and Adam make my most prosaic ideas beautiful.
About With Butler
We get to work with some truly amazing people. With Butler is an ongoing series where we highlight the many remarkable clients, partners and leaders we’ve been able to collaborate with over the years. In the series, we ask them to share lessons they’ve learned and how they like to collaborate by answering five thought-provoking questions.