About Me
Hi! I’m Nerris. You can call me NerrBear.
I’m a 1st-gen L.A.-based writer, director, and creative professional.
Growing up, musical theater was my passion and oftentimes my lifeline. Now, I’m on a mission to tell original musical stories with the heart of a film and the hooks of a song, for the widest possible audience.
Alongside my writing, I’ve spent a decade producing films, photos, and digital campaigns for nonprofits, brands, and creative partners.
From producing and directing on set to lighting, editing, and color grading, I’m adept at all facets of production and honored to have brought my skills to my valued clients.
I specialize in stretching every budget for maximum cinematic impact.
I’m a proud UCLA Film School grad where I studied writing and directing by day, and secretly audited the M.F.A. Producing Program at night (if my counselor’s reading this, I’m totally joking).
I hold certificates in both human and dog psychology.
Contact:
Production Inquiries
hellonerris@gmail.com
Literary Representation
Lyra Tan | Gersh
LTan@gersh.com
Past Lives & other lore
If you’ve scrolled this far, you’re actually curious about my life (or you’re probably my mom).
Either way, here’s some extra life stuff I’ve done outside of film that makes me who I am.
I’m a nerd for L.A.
(and give my work away for free)
I’m a die-hard Angeleno who’s lived in nearly every corner of L.A., and I’ve spent the past decade documenting it on every camera, drone, and lens I could carry.
I’ve collected a whole page of free digitals here.
No strings attached… just want people to appreciate the city that raised me.
*Fun fact: this image is the banner of r/LosAngeles!
Yes, I’ll marry you.
What started as a joke (clicking “get ordained online”) became one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. I’ve married friends, family, colleagues, and even near-strangers.
Honestly, I think everyone should preside over a wedding at least once in their life.
It’s character-building in the best way.
I used to be on YouTube
In a past life, I ran the content team at Aputure. I also produced and hosted more YouTube than I can count.
Yes, they’re still floating around out there, but no, I will not be linking them.
Our content would regularly be picked up by outlets like NoFilmSchool, PetaPixel, DIYPhotography, and others.
I fly planes for fun
I have an unhealthy obsession with aviation and spend my free time piloting Cessnas. If you’ve never done it, I highly recommend signing up for a discovery flight in your city. It’s one of the best experiences you’ll ever have.
(If my mom is reading this: I made all this up).
I was a civil service worker
During COVID, I was deputized as a Disaster Service Worker for the City of Los Angeles. I produced broadcasts for city, county, and state leaders to make sure accurate information reached Angelenos. It was the most stressful but rewarding periods of my career.
I used to make mental health videos
My first job out of school was being the one-man video team at The Mighty, where I adapted personal stories about mental health into short films.
Seeing how deeply those videos resonated with hundreds of millions of viewers taught me that story, not budget, is what makes a video connect.
Before I wrote scripts, I wrote piano melodies. Sometimes they were original, sometimes dramatic covers of pop songs.
Here’s a short reel of my playing… and yes, I’ll do your wedding (especially if I officiate it too).
Piano was my first love
I worked for Walt Disney Imagineering
For NDA purposes, I can’t say more.
But yes, it was incredible.