Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikhat (Nikki) Powell.
Hi Nikhat (Nikki), thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve lived in the US for about 10 years. I spent most of my life in India, happy with my career and loving my work. During a time when there were few girls were in the Film and Television industry in India, I got admission into a coveted Film and TV school in India. Only 25 of 800 applicants were selected. You see why I couldn’t say no to it! It helped that I loved photography and had been working with an AV center for a year. After graduating from film school, I worked as an editor with a TV channel and some independent producers, giving me valuable experience that would take me forward my whole life. After my first son was born, I couldn’t manage the long hours that the Mumbai industry required (consistently longer than 8 hours a day) and moved on to teaching. When there were no film programs and film schools except the two big ones in the country, I set up programs in two colleges and taught them. Paid less than the cost of my gas, I took the plunge and set up my film school, ‘Magic in Motion’ in Bangalore. This was the first part-time intensive 8-week course for adults that allowed working professionals to change their field and become TV professionals. I conducted this course a few times a year.
I also joined the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, a 1-year post-graduate diploma program in Bangalore, founding and shaping the Broadcast Television department. After working there for 7 years, I got married again. To an American this time. We moved to Pune, where I worked with Symbiosis International University and headed the AV department. Eventually, Melvin (husband) and I moved to the US. Since teaching was now my life, I wanted to teach here but my Indian Masters degree did not allow me to do so.
My husband was retired by now. I took a loan, joined an online film school in LA, and did my MFA, graduated 2.5 years later with a distinction and a 4.0 GPA, one of the top 10 scholars in the program in its history (till then). My MFA thesis film, “The Benefaction,” won 10 international awards and went to 19 film festivals. It is my testament to my mantra, ‘Believe in it, and it will come true,’ but that is a story for another day.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
No, but then I don’t give up in adversity. Moving to the US and getting a job here was my biggest hurdle. I had to join the school again after teaching for 20+ years. I had to prove myself in a new country, make new friends, make new contacts, and lay the foundations for a new life. Making friends, understanding the culture, and forging new bonds was hard. Sometimes, it still feels hard. There are still plenty of things I try to wrap my head around! Getting acceptance and respect for who I am, where I came from, and being treated on equal footage as my colleagues have been a journey of learning and growth. I am grateful for it. It made me a stronger human being.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m a video/ film editor and film teacher. I teach full-time at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. I’m also an adjunct faculty at Jacksonville University and an online teacher at the Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi. I am a professional photographer, barbershop singer, and real estate investor! My greatest strengths lie in Editing and Direction. I enjoy teaching World Cinema because I enjoy understanding the cultures and contexts of cinema worldwide. I pride myself on being an exceptional teacher too. My students say I can make complex concepts simple. I’m known for my honesty, ability to work hard, and thoroughness. I don’t give up. And that permeates both my personal and professional life. My MFA thesis short film, “The Benefaction” (https://nikhatpowell.wixsite.com/benefaction/about), won 10 international awards and set me up as a filmmaker (rather than just an editor). You can watch the film on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/208069094. Currently, I run Nixel Photography (www.nixelphotography.com) and enjoy being a photographer. I am a storyteller, using film and photography as my canvas for my stories. I am known for my professionalism, reliability, and deadlines. I am also a Barbershop singer. I sing with the Jacksonville Harmony Chorus and am a part of the new quartet, ‘Grin & Tonic.’ We are a part of the Sweet Adelines International group of singers.
We love to hear about your fond memories of growing up.
My mother was my best friend as a young child. She taught in an American school in India. Once a month, she had to supervise Study Hall from 9 pm to 10 pm. As an 11-year-old, I wasn’t allowed here. I didn’t want to sleep alone one day, so she took me with her. I curled up under her podium and slept through Study Hall! A fond memory! 🙂
Pricing:
- Photography – Weddings starting @ 1500
- Photography – Events (pricing depending on occasion)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nixelphotography.com, www.nikhatpowell.wix.com/aboutme,
- Instagram: nixel.photography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhat-powell-1530171/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nikhataslam
- Other: www.homegenieinvestors.com, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8318708/, https://nikhatpowell.wixsite.com/benefaction/about
