nick - what, where, why?

For those who do not know me, I am Nick Staniszewski. I go by Nick Stanski for short, so as not to embarrass telemarketers when they call and because it's hard to spell over the phone with producers. My goal one day is to do enough good that you can find me by my full name, and not its bastardization.

What am I?

Chicago-based commercial cinematographer who specializes in moving stories.

Broken down, I live in Chicago and work as a commercial cinematographer. But job wise, I am more than just a cinematographer: I am also a motion control tech, a slow-motion cinematographer, a certified drone pilot, and car rig specialist . Those are one part of the moving stories: I make images that move.

That's part one.

Who am I?

I'm a soccer goalie on the weekends. I can make a mean chorizo hash. I was a musician at one point. I had no sense of smell before Covid. I like history podcasts and politics and a dozen or more things that frustrates marketers and categorizing algorithms. I have a B.S. in physics, a youtube page, and above average banana bread recipe. I am not into running yet.

Broken down, I would like to say that I'm a storyteller, but the Midwestern in me tells me to be more humble. I make images, and when I go to edit those images, all the things that I am go into developing a story that I hope to tell with clear intention.

I like stories that move me; so I try to make stories that move others.

That's part two.

Put those to together, and I am Nick Staniszewski: a commercial cinematographer with dozens of disparate interests so I can tell moving stories—out loud, written down, and on the screen — with joy & laughter & occasional existentialism.

Then what is this website for?

It's for you.

If you're a filmmaker, I try to share all the things I wish someone told me, because the more people that can I find success in the industry is good for the industry.

If you're a brand or marketer, I try to share ideas I see in the industry so that we can talk deeply about the stories we are telling.

If you're a passerby, I try to write things down so that you can find them. I'll write you an occasional note once or twice month.

It's free to sign up, and who knows?

You might have fun.