Filmmaker Shaffer Nickel has been making videos about his family, friends, and community since the age of ten. Since then, he’s been sharing authentic, vulnerable moments of his life with a global (and ever-growing) YouTube audience.
Learn more about what keeps Shaffer inspired, why he welcomes discomfort, and how he utilizes the search features on Musicbed to find the right music for his work.
Musicbed: What sparked your passion for filmmaking/storytelling?
Shaffer Nickel: It was handed down to me by my family. My dad is a wildlife photographer and painter, and my mom is a writer.
What keeps you motivated and creatively inspired?
The true answer is that I’m inspired by my friends, my town, and my life. The less-true answer is, of course, other artists, movies, commercials, and so on. They definitely play a role, but even the most ordinary parts of life stand out more to me. Some of my most useful memories come from my job as a bellhop at a hotel. It wasn’t anything crazy, but it was real. I still translate moments from that job into punchlines. Just being alive is incredibly motivating.
What makes a story visually appealing? What role does music play in storytelling?
I’m still learning about visual language. I’m better at it than I used to be, but I’m still pretty far from where I think I can get. Personally, I like surrealist imagery, which is a skill that takes time to develop. Music is amazing because it’s an art form that emulates tone. Good music can make just about any shot feel intentional and well thought-out.
What elements do you think are essential for crafting a compelling story?
“Essential” is a big word, but I think a human being is probably the most essential. I’m compelled by sincerity and by definition. Sincerity can’t be faked. I think people are unbelievably good at detecting it, so it shapes the direction I take with a story.
How important is music in your work?
I love when you’re trying to communicate a feeling and there’s a song that slots in perfectly and does all the heavy lifting for you. Music is present in every stage of my creative process. It inspires me, helps me decide on the feeling for the next scene I write, and shapes the editing in ways I rarely anticipate. My life and work wouldn’t look the same without it.
What advice would you give other filmmakers/creatives who are just starting their careers?
Don’t listen to advice.
How do you balance pushing boundaries creatively and delivering what your client wants or audience wants to see?
There’s this great quote by Caitlin Thomas: “There is nothing harder for an artist than to retain his artistic integrity in the tomb of success. A tomb, nevertheless, which nearly every artist, whether he admits it or not, naturally wants to get into.” Good artists care more about creative freedom than money. Good artists care more about what they think than what their audience wants them to think. I get it right sometimes, but I’m still learning. It’s great when an artist, an audience, and a client all align. That said, if at least one of those parties isn’t challenged, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to push things a bit further.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a filmmaker/creative?
I don’t want my videos to have too much of a personality. I strive to be a well-rounded person with good boundaries—but boundaries are hard when you love something. I want to be a son, a brother, a friend, and a community member first, and an artist second.
What are some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on?
I’m critical of everything I make, and I rarely watch my old work. That said, I’m particularly proud of my more abstract pieces. I haven’t posted a lot of the videos I’m really excited about yet.
How do you search for music on Musicbed? What are some tips that you’d give other filmmakers to search on Musicbed?
My technique is excessive. A few times a week, I sit down at my computer and filter through every new release since the last time I checked. When I find something good, I save it to a playlist. At this point, it’s a really extensive list. There’s a lot of amazing music on the site, and some of my favorites can easily slip through the cracks. I think the curation and organization on the platform are head and shoulders above every other option—but my taste is pretty specific. Plus, I love finding something that everyone else is going to miss.
Why do you utilize Musicbed in your work?
I really don’t like bad music. I’m passionate about quality, and I’d rather not upload something than upload a video that doesn’t hit. Musicbed offers a high density of incredible options—I think few people would disagree. It’s simply the best choice.
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Listen to a curated mix of some of Shaffer’s most-loved music and experience his music discovery process on Musicbed for yourself—start your free 14-day trial today.
