Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Filmmaker Nelson Walker & The Maysles Documentary Center Are Helping To Change Our World
…Thinking back to Albert Maysles and his impact, both filmmaking and watching films serve as a means for people to connect and find common ground. Connecting with someone fosters understanding, care, and ultimately love. Love is essential.
As a documentary filmmaker, endurance is vital. It’s a challenging career, especially for cinematographers who need physical endurance but also mental and psychological resilience due to the myriad challenges of making a film.
Being present with your subjects and your team is essential. It’s about truly listening, observing, and engaging.
Community is pivotal. A Zulu saying emphasizes that we are interdependent, leaning on past innovations and relying on a supportive community.
Lastly, inspiration is indispensable. Being inspired by the mundane and the extraordinary alike energizes your work and brings attention to the minutiae, which is crucial in filmmaking.
I had the pleasure to talk to Nelson Walker. Nelson is a New York-based cinematographer and documentary filmmaker whose work spans production, education, and film programming. He got his start in cinematography working alongside the late Albert Maysles, and since then his work has appeared in many notable films, such as MAKING A MURDER, IRIS, WATCHERS OF THE SKY, CIVIL WAR, THE FIGHT, CAPTURING THE FLAG, THE REVEREND and most recently NAM JUNE PAIK: MOON IS THE OLDEST TV and INVISIBLE BEAUTY. With his partner Lynn True, Nelson also shoots and directs his own films, including LUMO (winner of the Student Academy Award), SUMMER PASTURE (winner of the Peabody Award), and IN TRANSIT, which he co-directed with Albert Maysles and others. In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Nelson is founder of the Congo in Harlem film series (www.congoinharlem.org) and the Kham Film Project (www.khamfilmproject.org), which seeks to expand opportunities for Tibetan filmmakers. Nelson currently serves as Interim Executive Director of Maysles Documentary Center, a Harlem-based non-profit cinema that uses film to promote community, education, and social justice (www.maysles.org). Nelson is a graduate of Brown University and Columbia University School of the Arts.
Yitzi: Thank you so much for doing this with us Nelson ! Our readers are eager to get to know you better. Can you share your “Origin Story”? How did you grow up?
Nelson: I grew up in Connecticut, near the University of Connecticut. I enjoyed the advantages of living in a rural space with beautiful nature while also benefiting from the cultural experiences a large university offers. Growing up, I had exposure to international individuals and the diverse activities at the university. From Connecticut, I attended college in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating, I worked in Providence for a few years before moving to New York City in 2002, where I’ve lived ever since.
Yitzi: Wonderful. Can you discuss the evolution of your filmmaking career? You’re now a renowned filmmaker. How did it all begin?
Nelson: Certainly. Growing up, my father was a family physician. I was drawn to both filmmaking and medicine. In college, I sought ways to combine these interests. I began working for a production company producing content for the Discovery Channel. Although I initially aimed for medical-related content, I mostly worked on ancient civilization documentaries. The job was exciting; I wrote shows and traveled extensively.
However, I soon felt the urge to carve my own path. I enrolled in Columbia University’s graduate film program, which primarily focused on narrative filmmaking. There, I realized my true passion lay in documentary filmmaking. Outside school, I started making healthcare-related documentaries. This venture set the stage for my career as a director. Over time, I shifted towards cinematography. My journey with the Maysles Documentary Center began in college when I befriended Philip Maysles, son of the legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles. Upon moving to New York, the Maysles family warmly welcomed me. I had the privilege of working with Albert and spending valuable personal time with him. His influence profoundly shaped my work and personal aspirations. In 2005, the Maysles family founded the Maysles Documentary Center in Harlem. Though initially I had no official role, over the years, my engagement deepened. I became the board chair and am currently serving as the interim executive director.
Yitzi: Your journey sounds captivating. Throughout your filmmaking career, are there any unique memories or anecdotes that stand out?
Nelson: It’s a challenge to single out specific memories, given the richness of my experiences. One unforgettable moment was living with a Tibetan pastoralist family for several months. At that time, reaching them required a three-day drive and an additional six-hour horseback ride from the nearest town. The experience was surreal, witnessing their life, which in certain aspects mirrored our own, and in others, was worlds apart.
Yitzi: Hypothetically, if you were crowned the “King of Hollywood” with the power to reshape the industry, what recent industry changes do you appreciate? And what further changes would you implement?
Nelson: I’m pleased with the growing accessibility to filmmaking tools. Technical barriers have diminished significantly since I began my career. Participatory filmmaking, which allows communities to craft their films, was an area I explored early on when access to technology was limited. Today, global familiarity with media means many can shoot films on phones or edit on personal computers. However, a concerning trend is the increasing commercialization of documentaries. While documentaries reach broader audiences now, the funding dynamics have shifted. There’s a growing preference for commercial projects and streaming content, making it challenging for smaller, independent films to gain traction. In this changing landscape, the Maysles Documentary Center plays a crucial role by championing independent, experimental filmmakers and facilitating their connection with audiences.
Yitzi: That’s great. That was my next question actually. Do you have any exciting projects coming up in the near future at the Maysles Documentary Center? Where do you see the Maysles Center heading from here?
Nelson: That’s a good question. In my personal work, I’ve put that on hold to focus on the documentary center. It’s a challenging time right now for arts organizations and cinemas. Things are changing, as I mentioned. The documentary center has technically been around for about 18 years, but in reality, we’ve been operating at full capacity for about 14 or 15 years. To be a nonprofit arts organization in New York City, you really have to adapt with the times, and that’s where the documentary center is now. I hope we continue to offer interesting and innovative programming in our cinema that addresses both immediate community issues and broader challenges facing New York City residents. I also hope to showcase films that challenge the norms.
I’m excited about our education programs. We have Vanguard Docmakers, Teen Docmakers, and Teen Doc Authors. I’m enthusiastic about strengthening these programs and working closely with our students to provide them access to filmmaking education and the necessary tools for documentary filmmaking. We also plan to expand our education offerings. For instance, we recently launched Albert Maysles’ documentary initiative, which aims to better connect our education and cinema programs. Under this initiative, we’ll be bringing in various filmmakers and industry professionals to conduct master classes for the public and our students. One exciting workshop will be led by my close friend and colleague, Martha Wollner, who previously worked with Maysles’ films, helping cast real people for commercials and assisting Albert in finding subjects for his films. Martha will run a unique workshop on how to approach subjects, their stories, and the process of relating to them transparently.
I’m thrilled about offering workshops like this that are special and unique to the Maysles ethos, something you can’t find anywhere else.
Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask in all interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you started, can you share with an aspiring documentarian five things you need to create a successful career as a documentary filmmaker?
Nelson: That’s a good question. I don’t feel I can speak definitively about what it takes to build a successful career. I’m constantly reinventing myself and finding new facets of who I am. The whole journey feels like an active discovery.
But here are five things I find important:
- Thinking back to Albert Maysles and his impact, both filmmaking and watching films serve as a means for people to connect and find common ground. Connecting with someone fosters understanding, care, and ultimately love. Love is essential.
- As a documentary filmmaker, endurance is vital. It’s a challenging career, especially for cinematographers who need physical endurance but also mental and psychological resilience due to the myriad challenges of making a film.
- Being present with your subjects and your team is essential. It’s about truly listening, observing, and engaging.
- Community is pivotal. A Zulu saying emphasizes that we are interdependent, leaning on past innovations and relying on a supportive community.
- Lastly, inspiration is indispensable. Being inspired by the mundane and the extraordinary alike energizes your work and brings attention to the minutiae, which is crucial in filmmaking.
Yitzi: For our final question, because of your significant contributions, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Nelson: It’s a good question. I might not have a groundbreaking answer, but I believe in the power of compassion. We need to genuinely care about one another. Whether it’s through teaching, writing a poem, or any other medium, compassion for others is paramount.
Yitzi: How can our readers stay updated with what you’re doing? How can they support the Maysles Center or your individual projects?
Nelson: The best way to stay informed about my work and the center’s activities is through the Maysles Documentary Center. Sign up for our mailing list, and if possible, consider donating. Every contribution, no matter the size, is crucial. The Maysles Documentary Center thrives on community support. You can also follow us on social media. If you’re in New York, attending our screenings and events offers a genuine New York experience. Such places are becoming rare, so come and appreciate it firsthand.
Yitzi: It’s been an honor to talk with you. I wish you continued success and blessings in your vital work.
Nelson: Thank you, and thanks for taking the time.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Filmmaker Nelson Walker & The Maysles Documentary Center Are… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.