Cinemagic alumni, London based filmmaker and MTV director/producer, from Killaloo just outsidevLondonderry, Sammy Nutt documents his early ventures with Cinemagic’s workshops and how it steered him down a path that led straight to the doors of the biggest Music/Entertainment channel of our time.
L: How did you originally become involved with Cinemagic ?
S: I was 16, interested in the production side, saw an article about work experience with Cinemagic and wrote, in 300 words or less, why I should be picked. I didn’t know anything about the film industry but the more workshops I attended the more enjoyment I found for music and the creative side directing and producing had to offer. I was then handpicked by Music Director Hamish Hamilton as the winner of Cinemagic’s Music Directing Talent Lab back in 2005 where I worked with him at the Brit Awards in both 2006 and 2007.
L: Handpicked by a music director and landing the Brit Awards gig…the perfect foundation for MTV. How did the MTV role present itself?
S: Ever since the Brit Awards I went on to do more music stuff and it just kind of happened. After university I contacted Hamish and ended up getting a job at MTV as an intern on MTV News after providing a showreel of my most recent projects. From there I just worked and worked until the point where I was able to direct and produce.
L: And you’re now directing/producing Celebrity Charts for MTV’s Live HD Channel…how did you get your fingers into this?
S: I was working on MTV Bang, looking for another project to work on and was asked if I would be interested in a show for MTV HD called Celebrity Charts which asks current artists to give a run down of their favorite tracks. It goes out to Asia, Australia and Europe so it’s a great platform for me.
L: Celebrity Charts obviously wasn’t your first MTV gig with your pilot for hit reality show Geordie Shore, The Hills After Party with Audrina Partridge, MTV Bang and last year’s MTV EMAs in Madrid…what’s an average day in the life of Sammy Nutt?
S: Everyday is different. Generally you tend to work on script, ideas, how you want things to look, research then head to the studio. Shoot it. Start on the edit later that day, the next morning and by the end of the next day you deliver the tape to MTV.
L: Time to sleep and eat optional?
S: Sometimes you don’t get any lunch, but you do stop when you can.
L: And on your days off?
S: I like making short films here and there. I just do it for a bit of fun. I actually sold one recently to an ad firm for computers.
L: Just going back to Cinemagic then, what was your favorite aspect of the entire experience?
S: Definitely the workshops. Even now I’m still involved, shooting for both Belfast and Dublin attending the workshops, interviewing the participants and putting together a five minute promo for the entire festival.
L: And at MTV?
S: Hands down last year’s EMAs. Filming the celebs, the backstage element and getting to watch the show; It was something I’d always wanted to do. Then came the after parties…
L: Jealous. Finally…any advice for the next generation of CMs out there?
S: It gives so much opportunity but you really need to embrace it. Take as much as possible from everything they are offering. Throw yourself into it.
For all the latest info on Sammy Nutt and his projects follow him on Twitter @sammynutt or check out his Vimeo account at http://vimeo.com/sammynutt. Keep an eye out on MTV Sister Channel Viva for Sammy’s upcoming Behind the Scenes look at the making of Will Young’s new video.The Coca Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People ran from November 16 to December 2 with Talent Labs such as Writing and Directing for Film, Screenwriting and Film Production running throughout Belfast.
L: How did you originally become involved with Cinemagic ?
S: I was 16, interested in the production side, saw an article about work experience with Cinemagic and wrote, in 300 words or less, why I should be picked. I didn’t know anything about the film industry but the more workshops I attended the more enjoyment I found for music and the creative side directing and producing had to offer. I was then handpicked by Music Director Hamish Hamilton as the winner of Cinemagic’s Music Directing Talent Lab back in 2005 where I worked with him at the Brit Awards in both 2006 and 2007.
L: Handpicked by a music director and landing the Brit Awards gig…the perfect foundation for MTV. How did the MTV role present itself?
S: Ever since the Brit Awards I went on to do more music stuff and it just kind of happened. After university I contacted Hamish and ended up getting a job at MTV as an intern on MTV News after providing a showreel of my most recent projects. From there I just worked and worked until the point where I was able to direct and produce.
L: And you’re now directing/producing Celebrity Charts for MTV’s Live HD Channel…how did you get your fingers into this?
S: I was working on MTV Bang, looking for another project to work on and was asked if I would be interested in a show for MTV HD called Celebrity Charts which asks current artists to give a run down of their favorite tracks. It goes out to Asia, Australia and Europe so it’s a great platform for me.
L: Celebrity Charts obviously wasn’t your first MTV gig with your pilot for hit reality show Geordie Shore, The Hills After Party with Audrina Partridge, MTV Bang and last year’s MTV EMAs in Madrid…what’s an average day in the life of Sammy Nutt?
S: Everyday is different. Generally you tend to work on script, ideas, how you want things to look, research then head to the studio. Shoot it. Start on the edit later that day, the next morning and by the end of the next day you deliver the tape to MTV.
L: Time to sleep and eat optional?
S: Sometimes you don’t get any lunch, but you do stop when you can.
L: And on your days off?
S: I like making short films here and there. I just do it for a bit of fun. I actually sold one recently to an ad firm for computers.
L: Just going back to Cinemagic then, what was your favorite aspect of the entire experience?
S: Definitely the workshops. Even now I’m still involved, shooting for both Belfast and Dublin attending the workshops, interviewing the participants and putting together a five minute promo for the entire festival.
L: And at MTV?
S: Hands down last year’s EMAs. Filming the celebs, the backstage element and getting to watch the show; It was something I’d always wanted to do. Then came the after parties…
L: Jealous. Finally…any advice for the next generation of CMs out there?
S: It gives so much opportunity but you really need to embrace it. Take as much as possible from everything they are offering. Throw yourself into it.
For all the latest info on Sammy Nutt and his projects follow him on Twitter @sammynutt or check out his Vimeo account at http://vimeo.com/sammynutt. Keep an eye out on MTV Sister Channel Viva for Sammy’s upcoming Behind the Scenes look at the making of Will Young’s new video.The Coca Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People ran from November 16 to December 2 with Talent Labs such as Writing and Directing for Film, Screenwriting and Film Production running throughout Belfast.
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