Bio
Hey there! My name's Nina Di Salvo, I'm a film director and production designer originally from a small town outside of Akron, Ohio (home to both Jim Jarmusch and Lebron James). I started off my career as a performing artist, working for various theaters in northeast Ohio before transitioning to Orlando, Florida to work as a character performer for the Walt Disney Company.
I later attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and earned my BFA in film in television production after working on over 56 films in a variety of formats. Before graduating, I had the opportunity to work on a short film in Rome, Italy, which was an absolute dream to live and work in Europe, and previous to that, worked on a documentary in Lima, Peru. Whether short narratives, documentaries, music videos, art installations, television series, web series, or feature films, I've worked in almost every medium and held practically every position one can have on or off set, finding myself frequently working in the art department, production, or direction. You can trust with me with your next baby, film, video, or the like, because I truly know that every detail counts.
I am currently based in New York City and writing my first feature film, VADA, while continuing to work on video and short form projects. When I'm not on set, you can most likely find me at the Metrograph, Film at Lincoln Center, a coffee shop that actually has wifi, or second hand bookstores in the art section. Please feel free to reach out if you're longing for a friend to watch screeners with, thoughtful conversation over a (too hot) cup of coffee, or to exchange ideas and collaborate. Cheers, dears!
Education and Training
My education is very important to me and I am constantly seeking training, whether at the individual level or classroom setting. Here is the background I take with me when we work together:
Geography, Geology, Anthropology
A.P. Human Geography, THS 2012
Introduction to Geography, UA 2012
World Geography, KSU 2014
Geography of Europe, KSU 2014
Special Topics in Geography, Peru, KSU 2013
Earth Dynamics, KSU 2012
Earth Dynamics Lab, KSU 2013
Cultural Anthropology, KSU 2013
Art and Architectural History
Art History I, SCAD, 2014
Art History II, KSU, 2013
Architectural History I: 1600-1850, SCAD, 2016
Drawing/Design
Drawing I, SCAD, 2014
Drawing II, SCAD, 2015
Design I, SCAD, 2014
Design II, SCAD, 2015
Color Theory, SCAD, 2014
Movement
Pre-Cecchetti, AADbK 2010
Cecchetti I, AABbK 2011
Cecchetti II, AADbk 2012
Jazz, AADbK 2011-2012
Jazz I, KSU, 2012
Modern, UA 2012
Tap, KSU 2013
Literature
Fairy Tales, KSU, 2013
Gender in Literature, KSU, 2013
Business
Introduction to Business, SCAD, 2015
Microeconomics, KSU, 2014
Production Design
Fundamentals of Design I: Scenic and
Property Design, KSU, 2012
Fundamentals of Design I: Lab, KSU, 2012
Fundamentals of Design II: Costume and Lighting Design, KSU, 2013
Fundamentals of Design II: Lab, KSU, 2013
Stagecraft, TACA, 2010
CAD, TACA, 2010
Scenic Design, TACA, 2011
Script Analysis, SCAD, 2015
Performance
Performance I, KSU 2012
Acting for the Camera I, SCAD, 2015
Voice I, SCAD 2016
Method Acting Workshops, TACA, 2010
Suzuki Method Workshop, TACA, 2011
Chekov Acting Workshops, TACA, 2011
Film
Introduction to Film, SCAD, 2014
Preproduction, SCAD, 2015
Introduction to Screenwriting, SCAD, 2015
Lighting and Field, SCAD, 2015
Post Production, SCAD, 2015
Introduction to Sound Design, SCAD, 2014
Directing the Documentary, SCAD, 2016
Directing the Narrative, SCAD, 2016
History of Cinema, SCAD, 2015
Survey of Film, SCAD, 2016
Producers Practicum, SCAD, 2016
Experimental Filmmaking, SCAD, 2016
Music Video Production, SCAD, 2016
Thesis I, II, III, SCAD, 2017
*SCAD: Savannah College of Art and Design
*KSU: Kent State University
*UA: University of Akron
*AABbK: All About Dance by Kristen
*TACA: Theater-Arts Career Academy
gallery of films that have inspired me
I watch new film releases and take myself on cinematic surveys (by director, film movement, country, or theme) almost every day. It's literally impossible for me to isolate my love for cinema into just one work, so here are a series of favorites that will introduce you to my sensibilities.

















