select directing work
Timberland Pro - Nature needs Heros
Timberland PRO is beginning to release content with the theme “Nature Needs Heroes.” For their first piece in this new series, we explored a ranch in rural Arizona. Charlie Orme, a 5th generation Arizona farmer, has adapted his farming techniques to help better the environment—a world that his five year old daughter will soon inherit. Nick, along with a frequent collaborator Kris Roller, paired an authentic documentary style interview with grand imagery of Charlie and his farm. New Timberland PRO product is woven authentically into the imagery throughout the film.
NOTE: The products in this video are not released to the public until the Fall of 2020. Do not share this content publicly.
the truth - ditch juul
After the massive success of the “Zombie March” (see below), The Truth organized a National Day Of Action on October 9th, 2019. Activists from around the U.S. put on public demonstrations speaking out about the dangers and unknowns related to e-cigarettes and vaping. The Truth wanted to make a piece that combined the raw nature of an on-the-ground protest with a moving narrative aimed at taking action. The video will be released during the winter of 2020.
NOTE: This video is not cleared for public viewing. This is a working edit with uncleared footage and messaging. Do not share this content publicly.
“I LOVE THE TOP OF THE TRUCK AND SMOKE BOMB SHOTS. MIXED WITH THE RALLY FOOTAGE IT SHOWS THE POSITIVE YET FEROCIOUS VIBE I WANTED.”
- MICHAEL COURSEY, SENIOR BRAND MANAGER, MARKETING THE TRUTH
the truth - zombie march
Nick directed this Gold Reggie Award Winning concept collaborating with the Truth Initiative Internal Marketing Team, who coordinated a one off guerrilla marketing event in Washington, D.C. to call out that tobacco and pharmacies don’t mix with a flash mob of zombie protesters (the video was also a Shorty Award Finalist). The video reached more than 1.45 million people in the target Gen Z audience across all of Truth's social channels, far surpassing their 1 million-person goal. 216 news outlets, including The Huffington Post, reported on the event. Along with directing the spot, Nick lead the principle photography and turned around an edit in 24 hours to meet the timely needs of press related to the zombie protest.
Timberland Pro - the northern lights
Nick, along with a frequent collaborator Kris Roller, were tasked with thinking big in the category of blue collar workers. Among many ideas, the winner selected by Timberland PRO was a worker performing maintenance under the northern lights. Months of pre-production research eventually led us to Borealis Basecamp, founded by Adriel Butler, which is nestled within 100 acres of pristine boreal forest in remote Alaska. Production required pushing the limits on all fronts with the team, including pulling all nighters and working in -15 degree temperatures while documenting the maintenance team and the northern lights to create this short branded film.
NOTE: The products in this video are not released to the public until the winter of 2020. Do not share this content publicly.
“AT THE END OF THE DAY, MARKETING IS ALL ABOUT MAKING A POSITIVE LONG-LASTING, EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH YOUR CONSUMER AND THAT IS WHAT OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS ALLOWED US TO DO.”
- RYAN MURPHY, BRAND MARKETING MANAGER TIMBERLAND PRO
Timberland Pro - weather ready
Merging a product-focused video with a simple storyline, the final run time of of this piece was 15 seconds. The objective was to promote a new jacket and boot for Timberland PRO. Nick, along with a frequent collaborator Kris Roller, co-directed this spot with a skeleton crew and two narrow windows of time during sunrise and sunset. The piece showcases details of the products while promoting an authentic, edgy, look at a morning on the job site.
NOTE: The products in this video are not released to the public until the Fall of 2020. Do not share this content publicly.
As a director, Nick applies the core principles of documentary filmmaking to lifestyle content, branded content, and advertisements for brands, with a focus on storytelling and character development. Nick is passionate about positive change for social good and the environment. He often draws on his diverse experience working as a cinematographer and producer during his 12 years in the industry. Nick’s directing work has won him a Shorty Award, a Gold Reggie Award and an Effie Award Finalist Nomination.
Below is a look at select work Nick has directed. Much of the below is not yet publicly available. Please keep this in mind and share carefully.
Nick is based in Portland, Oregon.
If you’d like to connect about a working together send me an email at nick@nicksfort.com