5 Questions With Filmmaker Nelson Egh

(ATLANTA) — Nelson Egh started his film career less than six years ago and hasn’t turned back since. From Africa to the United Arab Emirates and now America, the Nigerian-born filmmaker and creative director has had the opportunity of touring with Afrobeats artist Burna Boy and creating videos for Wizkid and others.  From his current home base in Atlanta, Egh spoke to The Click about his career, with advice for those who want to follow his path. 

The Click: What motivated you to begin your photography and videography journey and why?

Nelson Egh: I’m actually a networking engineer. I lived and went to school for nine years in Dubai, where I finished my studies. I moved to Atlanta after that, post-pandemic. But, I would say being a creative director is my passion. From when I was younger, my passion has been “hustle.” I was very curious about finding what I’m destined for. I’ve tried a lot of things. I used to run websites; I started huge websites for people. I even used to own a shoe brand. So, in the midst of trying to find what I like to do, I picked up the camera and got hooked.

What is one goal of your work, and what do you want others to know when they see it?

I am trying to bridge the gap between African Afrobeats and America through my camera. I want to be one of the leading forces that create a visual photo and video timeline of Afrobeat artists blowing up and growing in America – and around the world. I feel like now is the right time. I want to be the one capturing images and videos of it all. 

Creativity is the most important concept of a creator of any art form. How do you tap into your creativity when on set or when editing your work?

I actually do not watch movies or shows. I don’t keep up with any shows. But, I’ve always been interested in YouTube. You can call me a “YouTube ambassador” because I’m always on YouTube. When I like something and I want to make it work, I find ways to make it work. Even if it’s watching videos on YouTube or practicing my editing for five minutes a day. Instagram might play a video and then you think about a concept for something else. So, I tap into my creative inspiration through repeated practice, and consuming all this content shapes anybody – as an artist, as a creative director, as a filmmaker. I get my ideas from people, conversations, things I’ve watched, sounds I’ve heard that I’d love to use in a video – many different things. The most important thing, I think, is sound. Sound literally makes or breaks a video. 

Working with various Afrobeats artists, such as Burna Boy and WizKid, what travel opportunities have you had as a videographer and creative director? 

Other than Dubai, I haven’t done many shoots out of the country yet, but I’ve done a lot of work in-state and in the U.S. I’ve toured almost all of America—all 50 states. To know I only just moved here permanently is just like, wow. Hopefully, in the near future, I will travel more. 

What piece of advice or words of encouragement would you give someone starting off their film career from the same position that you did? 

The words of encouragement are not much toward a career path, but more toward self. Whatever you want to do, just do it. Have that discipline to succeed and the right mindset. But most importantly—just do it, just post it. You never know what picture or article or whatever you’re doing is going to be the thing that gets you the attention you deserve. Just put it out there.