Interview with Best Aotearoa Project Winner Taylor Nixon

Taylor Nixon is a Kiwi filmmaker who's latest short film 'TOW' won the Rubber Monkey Best Aotearoa Project Award in 2024's Vision Feast.

What led you to pursuing filmmaking and video production?

It all started with writing comics and short stories as a young kid, this soon moved into screenwriting and creating a terrible parody of Shortland Street in highschool - the best thing to come out of that was my love for filmmaking. I'm really interested in making films that inspire connection, and challenge audiences to think about the subject matter of the film. 

How did “TOW” come about and what was the production process like?

TOW is based partly on my experiences growing up in a low income family, but mostly on the experiences of many growing up in hardship. In Aotearoa there's tragically a lot of  families sleeping in cars, braving cold nights, and I was stunned that there's little conversation about it. I wanted to voice my concern and the need to do something about it.

Production was fast and furious, with a single day to shoot, but few weeks to prep - self funding and producing has its own set of challenges, so bringing it all together was quite the mission. But so worth it.

Did you have any on set disasters or was it smooth sailing?

Well I think filmmakers all have their fair share of horror stories. As you can imagine, when you base a whole film around a truck, you can bet on the first thing that's going to go wrong. When we came to our final scenes of the day, our truck decided to stop working, leading to us having to push it for the driving scenes. A couple of film tricks and we were sorted, but it's just classic. Turned out to be some switch we hit anyway too! (The truck was great, provided for free too!)

Also the weather didn't play ball – oh and we ran out of light so all the morning scenes were lit up like crazy. All the fun of it though right!

Congrats on Winning Best Aotearoa film at vision feast! How did that feel for you and what will it mean for you going forward?

Thank you! It's a real treat to be honoured with this award - Although you should always love a film you make for the art and act of being able to create it, but gosh, a bit of recognition does go a long way! I was stoked when I found out - I'm seeing it as a challenge to go bigger and better next time!

What motivates you to start a new project and see it to completion?

Honestly for the fact I'm able to do something I really love. In the early days of when I set out to be a filmmaker, I was so caught up with the end result and what people might think, now I just want to make something I love, and something that feels like an expression of those inner parts of myself.

To be honest, I'd happily spend all my money and time to get just one day on set with a fantastic, creative, inspiring cast and crew like the one I had for TOW.

Are there any small/cheap pieces of kit that you use all the time to get out of tight spaces?

Oh, honestly there's so much. For TOW we really capitalised on the Aputure MC's - such a fantastic little light. Plus, you'll never know when a pack of sheer curtains will save the day. 

How has your experience been dealing with Rubber Monkey?

You're the best. In the many times I've come by to pick up kit, or chat to the team, it's been so lovely. Love the work you do for Aotearoa's film scene, and I'm honoured to take out your signature prize at Vision Feast!

What's next for the future?

This year I've got two major goals – create my next short film, an ambitious project but very personal story of parental loss – and also getting my young-adult directed show off the ground.

Down the track I plan to bring TV Shows to life, and although that's unlikely to happen this year let's be real, it's something I'm always working towards!

Honestly just very excited to jump on a film set again!

Check out 'TOW' on YouTube and more of Taylor's work on his Instagram!

Visit Taylor's Instagram