Christopher A. Nolen's Director's Reel
WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR – CHRISTOPHER NOLEN
As President of Nferno Productions, the production company he founded in 1998, Christopher Nolen has created a proven brand in urban entertainment, production and distribution, by creating positive and entertaining content for minorities and global audiences as a whole. As a Director, Nolen’s projects under Nferno Productions include the feature length films Deep Passion, Subtle Seduction, The Good Life, Four Seasons, 72 Hours, Zodiac Sign, For the Love of Christmas, Walk Away from Love, Professor Mack, Pierre Jackson, I Left My Girlfriend for Regina Jones, London Mitchell’s Christmas and My Online Valentine. Nolen is passionate about writing, directing, and producing films, and is looking to expand those talents into the world of television.
Nolen has worked with some great Hollywood talent over the years namely, Robin Givens (Boomerang), Jazmin Lewis (Barbershop), Harry J. Lennix (NBC’s The Blacklist), Keith Robinson (Dreamgirls, Saints & Sinners), Christian Keyes (Saints & Sinners), Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show), Brian Hooks (Soul Plane), Lisa Wu (Real Housewives of Atlanta, Hollywood Divas), Jackie Christie (Basketball Wives LA), Erica Hubbard (ABC’s Lincoln Heights), Brad James (Tyler Perry’s For Better For Worse), Robert Christopher Riley (VH1’s Hit The Floor, CW’s Dynasty), Timon Kyle Durrett (OWN’s Queen Sugar, VH1’s Single Ladies), Amin Joseph (FX’s Snowfall, Baywatch), Chyna Layne (Netflix’s She’s Gotta Have It), Brely Evans (OWN’s Ambitions), Noree Victoria (TV One’s The Rickey Smiley Show, FX’s American Crime Story), Maya Gilbert-Dunbar (Banshee), Cynda Williams (Mo’ Better Blues), Carl Payne (Martin), Mel Jackson (Deliver Us From Eva), Tammy Townsend (Disney’s KC Undercover), Elise Neal (The Hughley’s), Aaron D. Spears (BET’s Being Mary Jane), Karlie Redd (VH1’s Love and Hip Hop Atlanta), Adiz “Bambi” Benson (VH1’s Love and Hip Hop Atlanta), Laila Odom (Lifetime’s Salt and Peppa) and Wesley Jonathan (Roll Bounce).
Nolen graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Theatre. After graduation, he went on to receive his Master’s in Mathematics from National Louis University, as well as a Master’s in Educational Administration Leadership from Governor’s State University. While receiving his degrees, Nolen taught high school and junior high in the Chicago Public School System and the South Suburban School System of Illinois.
Nolen began in the industry as a model in the Chicagoland area, which quickly turned to acting, and eventually lead him to writing, producing and directing. As his interest in filmmaking grew, he enrolled in filmmaking classes, most notably with filmmaker extraordinaire, Dov Simens. Nolen got his start directing numerous stage plays, short films, industrials, music videos, before eventually creating his own feature length films.
Nolen has filmed all of his productions in the city of Chicago and is proud he’s been able to contribute to the production revenue for the city he calls home. The success of his films has garnered him several Best Director awards. Nolen is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
AVAILABLE ONLINE
FOUR SEASONS
Streaming
MY ONLINE VALENTINE
Streaming
THE GOOD LIFE
Streaming
72 HOURS
Streaming
LONDON MITCHELL'S CHRISTMAS
Streaming
WALK AWAY FROM LOVE
DVD
LIST OF HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND ACTRESSES MR. NOLEN HAS DIRECTED
Robin Givens – Boomerang
Jazsmin Lewis – Barbershop
Harry J. Lennix – NBC’s The Blacklist
Keith Robinson – Dreamgirls
Christian Keyes – DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Terri J. Vaughn – The Steve Harvey Show
Brian Hooks – Eve
Tangi Miller – Felicity
Mari Morrow – The Parkers
Lisa Wu – Saints and Sinners
Jackie Christie – Basketball Wives LA
Erica Hubbard – Lincoln Heights
Brad James – Tyler Perry’s For Better For Worse
Robert Christopher Riley – CW’s Dynasty
Timon Kyle Durrett – OWN’s Queen Sugar
Amin Joseph – FX’s Snowfall
Chyna Layne – Netflix’s She’s Gotta Have It
Brely Evans – OWN’s Ambitions
Noree Victoria – FX’s American Crime Story
Taja V. Simpson – Tyler Perry’s The Oval
Cynda Williams – Mo’ Better Blues
Carl Payne – Martin
Caryn Ward Ross – The Game
Mel Jackson – Soul Food
Tammy Townsend – Disney’s KC Undercover
Tanjareen Thomas – Johnson Family Vacation
Elise Neal – The Hughley’s
Aaron D. Spears – Bold and The Beautiful
Laila Odom – Lifetime’s Salt and Pepa
Karlie Redd – VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta
Adi “Bambi” Benson – VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta
Wesley Jonathan – Roll Bounce
QUOTES FROM ACTORS/ACTRESSESS ABOUT WORKING WITH NFERNO PRODUCTIONS
“I have been fortunate to work with some great directors. Christopher Nolen is one of
them. His productions are as professional as any film I've worked on.” -Cynda Williams
“It has been an honor to work with Mr. Christopher Nolen on the film "72 Hours"
because of the fact he is one of the most talented directors and extremely professional
producers I have worked within the entertainment industry.” -Erica Hubbard
“I had the opportunity to work with Christopher this past year and I can honestly say it
was a pleasure. Not only is he and his crew professional but they're also respectful and
kind. I enjoyed myself and hope to work with him again. I would highly recommend
him to any of my actor friends.” -Tammy Townsend
“I love working with Christopher Nolen because he puts the artists and the artistry first.
Working as the lead in his feature film "72 Hours" was, without a doubt and in all
aspects, one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had on any set.” -Timon Kyle
Durrett
“I really respect and appreciate you as a filmmaker and a person. You really operate
with high integrity and create a win-win for everyone who works with you. You are fair
and generous... You are a rare breed in this business...” -Caryn Ward Ross
“Hey there, to all concerned I Love Chis Nolen! He works well with Actors & Producers.
He is most professional.” -Best, Tangi Miller
You are, by far, one of the best directors I've had the pleasure to work with, and I've
worked with many. You make it easy for an actor to be on your set, logistically and
creatively, and that's key in being able to tell a great story. I appreciated the tone of
collaboration and graciousness in our space, yet firmness in setting the bar of
expectations. This has been one of the most professionally executed indie productions
that I've worked on, and I'd love to work with you again. Your crew... They're top-notch
-- from the drivers who picked us up every day to your AD's and operators -- so
professional and affable. I know that with independent budgets, often we must rely on
our friends to carry out production duties, and sometimes, our friends may not carry out
those duties as professionally as a direct-hire might; but if you did rely on your friends,
you must pat them on the back for being so hard-working and supportive of the vision
of this film. Those little daily interactions are what can make or break an experience for
an actor, and I definitely enjoyed your people. Congratulations on a picture wrap for
"For the Love of Christmas". You should be proud. Cheers!” -Noree Victoria
“Working with Christopher Nolen was an extremely pleasurable experience. He lets us
be creative with our acting choices he showers us with gift baskets. Everyone on his
team was super nice and treated me like they were my southern aunties. Not only were
they professional, but they went out of their way to make sure my vegetarian needs
were met, and even more importantly, I was paid before we finished shooting! What's
not to love?” -Tanjareen Thomas
“Christopher does an excellent job of assembling top-notch talent and crew to bring
stories to life. Additionally, he treats talent exceptionally well and creates a stress-free,
well run set to work on.” -Clint Lewis
“Working with Christopher Nolen has truly been a highlight in my professional acting
career. Chris has an eye for talent. I was treated like an A-lister. He took his time to
make sure I knew exactly what he needed. He also made certain I had everything I
needed. And more importantly, I was paid...on time!” -Thea Camara #Faith
“Christopher Nolen is a consummate filmmaker...he is an actor's director and knows
how to bring the best out of his talent and his production crew. You always know you're
going to be working in a positive and professional environment when you walk onto an
Nferno Productions set.” -Dave Leonard
“Christopher is a joy to work with! He allows his actors to do their job. He has great
vision and he runs a great set. One of the best sets and directors I’ve ever worked with.
I look forward to working with him again soon.”-Robin Givens
“Christopher has great vision and direction. He knows what he wants and he also
collaborates with his actors as well. He knows how to communicate with actors
tremendously. I will always work with Chris because I trust him and his vision.”-Harry J.
Lennix.