Nick Thompson
Nick Thompson is a filmmaker and photographer in Seattle, his hometown. He’s a graduate of The Evergreen State College, a professor at Interlochen Academy’s online program and a teaching artist in local high schools through South End Stories. He recently finished his second feature screenplay, Decade. He loves singing karaoke and sharing his passion for film with other Seattleites.
His feature film Skagit, an experimental thriller set in Washington State, won Best Feature at Hastings Rocks Film Festival and Bleedingham, among other awards, and is distributed around the world through M.Y. Productions. He’s also worked in the editorial department on documentaries including Jim and Cameraperson, both of which premiered at Sundance. Nick’s work has been presented at The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, Local Sightings Film Festival, and Northwest Film Forum. He was profiled as The Stranger’s Artist of the Week upon the release of his gallery show and fourth photo book, Curveball Karaoke, featuring portraits of people who sing karaoke at Lottie’s in Seattle.
Teaching Style and Class Format
Nick will use a variety of tools for learning and discussion, including lecture, readings, visual aids, film clips and other videos. The majority of the time in class will be direct instruction, balanced with interactive activities.
He strives to create an open, relaxed atmosphere where students are encouraged to ask questions both in and outside of class. Classes often include short opening and closing questions for the class to ease in and out of our working time together.
Nick finds it important for students to see diverse films from throughout history that students might not otherwise encounter. He use examples from artists from a variety of backgrounds.
He says, "As a teacher, I guide students to ask the right questions about their own work, and to empower, enable, and inspire them to approach the artistic process with the will and discernment necessary to uphold a standard of excellence for their own work."
Resources
- NW Film Forum for screenings, classes, and other filmmaking support
- The Beacon Cinema for screenings
- ScriptSlug and The Internet Movie Script Database are both good sites to read free screenplays
- Kanopy for a great streaming library that's free with a Seattle library card