GO has added director Chris Nelson to its roster for U.S. commercial representation. The filmmaker has fused his writing background with a knack for character-driven comedy for such brands as ESPN, Gatorade, GoDaddy, Reebok and Miller. Prior to joining GO, he was repped by HSI Productions.
Recently Nelson has successfully extended his reach into feature filmmaking. After premiering his first feature Ass Backwards at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and having the comedy Date and Switch released by Lionsgate in 2014, he is currently in development on his third theatrical motion picture, the Hilary Swank-produced Liv, for Black Label Media.
Gary Rose, managing director of GO, noted, “I have been a fan of Chris’ work for a long time. He is a great comedic storyteller and fits perfectly into the company roster. He has been working on two feature films over the last year and a half, which are now finished and he is finally available to do work in the commercial and content world again. His film work is beautiful and comedic timing is impeccable.”
Nelson remarked, “Coming from an acting and writing background, I have always been a storyteller by nature and I’m looking forward to returning to my roots. GO and Gary have worked with comedy directors for so long and I’m really excited to join a company that is known for their comedy work.”
Nelson got his start in the industry acting as a teen in Los Angeles, before heading to East to earn a degree in Modern Culture and Media at Brown, where he penned his first screenplay and ignited a passion for writing. Following graduation, he returned to Los Angeles and began working with iconic fashion photographer Herb Ritts, directing and producing commercials and music videos for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Justin Timberlake, among others. Nelson moved on to direct a wide range of spots for Little Minx/RSA Films and HSI Productions, ranging from intricately composed visual pieces to expertly timed comedic spots. His short film Cara peers back on his days as an actor, following an awkward teenage girl making her most earnest attempt at succeeding in a looks-obsessed industry. He wrote and directed the short for Little Minx and RSA Films, which screened at numerous international film festivals.
Nelson also had a directorial hand in HBO’s lauded “Voyeur” project, a Cannes Lion Grand Prix winner, in which he teamed with RSA mainstay director Jake Scott for BBDO New York.
