This is Nowak.
Nowak started in film as a teenager, directing shorts and paying for college by making industrials and promos for the University of Minnesota, where he earned degrees in Literature and Film History. After graduation, he joined Fallon as an editor and director — knowing nothing about advertising, only that Fallon was making work with his favorite filmmakers. Those four years became a pseudo master’s degree, learning the ropes alongside industry luminaries.
Featured in his breakout work, it was an iconic doll from the 1940’s that kickstarted Nowak’s directing career — Buddy Lee: Guidance Counselor, a ridiculous MTV series that launched his career. From there, Nowak directed hundreds of commercials and shorts for some of the world’s biggest agencies and brands.
In 2012, he co-founded 8th Street, a production company built to give directors more freedom. Even as a partner, Nowak abides by the company’s core philosophy and continues to freelance.
His independent shorts have screened everywhere from SXSW and Sundance to Clermont-Ferrand, Tokyo Shorts Shorts, Krakow, and Newport. He’s also written a stack of feature scripts, many developed with by top-tier producers.
Currently, Nowak is working on the hilarious and tragic true story about a 90’s cultural phenomenon, while also pushing to get his latest feature satire, Jackalope, produced. Inspired by a wacky short film that he directed, the full-length script was optioned by the production company, 1993.
He lives in Venice Beach with his spouse, two adult kids, two blue nose pit bulls, and a cat rescued from a car engine (long story). An avid urban cyclist, he’s often found on the rugged roads of Los Angeles — or working through endless stacks of books, movies, and graphic novels.
