Donell Nelson

d. NELSON WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Inspired by film and televisions artful, creative, and visual abilities to communicate the human condition, Donell Nelson (a native of Gary, IN and current resident of Los Angeles, CA) came to realize there was only one career that could bring him the personal and professional fulfillment he desired. Donell studied marketing at Morehouse College where he minored in Drama. It was at Morehouse that Donell met Spike Lee and interned for his Forty Acres & A Mule Film works and worked as a Production Assistant on his Film School Daze. A seed was planted and a passion was born.
Donell’s passion for film was sidelined for a number of years as he worked as a record label executive for a number of years in Atlanta, GA but his desire to make movies never waned. After coming to the conclusion, at that time, that Atlanta was never going to become a Mecca for filmmakers as it had become for singers, songwriters, and music producers, Donell packed his bags and moved to Los Angeles.
Donell had gained some experience as a director of music videos for artist on the independent record label World Export Records distributed by Ichiban Records nationally and internationally but still needed a break to pierce the fiercely tight Hollywood circles. He got married and worked in corporate America while pursuing his dream of filmmaking part-time. There were many attempts before Donell reached a now or never decision and gave up his corporate job to open a production studio and pursue filmmaking full-time. Having successfully completed a summer directorial program at USC Film School and Robert McKee’s internationally acclaimed screenwriter’s workshop STORY, Donell proceeded to direct a short film “ The Windows Are Closed” . Confidence growing Donell went on to work in various capacities for some of the hottest music video directors, (artists Janet Jackson, Pharrell, Snoop Dog, Nelly, Mary J. Blige...etc) and up and coming film directors and cinematographers.
The next level of accomplishment for Donell came when he decided that he would begin to develop his own original productions in the areas of Reality TV, Scripted Television, and Motion Pictures. Donell Nelson and his Viral Creatives, Inc., production company has produced a Television pilot titled “While We Work”, a docu- series titled “Dive Club”, multiple music videos for record industry giants Universal Music & Warner Bros as well as viral videos for corporations and non-profits.
Donell’s passion for writing and storytelling powers his drive and focus to become one of the most prolific filmmakers of his generation.