A FILMMAKER IS LIKE A FOOTBALL COACH, HE HAS TO KNOW THE GAME

“A FILMMAKER IS LIKE A FOOTBALL COACH, HE HAS TO KNOW THE GAME”

Being a filmmaker means getting things done no matter what it takes, collaborating with a team well, passion, and perseverance. As both a producer or director, Nikolay Velikanov has it all. His outstanding work ethic and preparation makes him a great leader for every project he works on.

On top of this, believing in oneself and having a clear vision are two of the most important things to make a successful project, Nikolay said.

He compares it to a football team where the producer is the coach, the director is the quarterback and the rest of the crew are players. The key to the game is knowing your plays, always being ready for whatever may happen, and putting forth the great effort to keep going. It's also important to know your game when you're on the "field" and to stay humble.

Nikolay Velikanov received a degree in Tourism from Russian New University, but has always been passionate about cinema, and it was that passion that led him to Los Angeles. After receiving a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from New York Film Academy, he has gone on to be very successful in the industry, both commercially and artistically. His achievements include music videos (for the band Enation), award-winning documentaries, and other original projects. He is particularly well-known for his films "Mission Control" (which was distributed by Indieflix), "Synthetic Identity," and "Through the Indian Eyes" (which received awards at several festivals).

Nikolay is constantly looking for ways to improve both himself and his knowledge of the film industry.