I'm a writer and filmmaker who creates stories across novels, screenplays, plays, and film. Over the years, I've written and produced works that have appeared on stages, screens, and in print, including award-winning feature scripts and plays, and I’ve led creative teams in advertising and entertainment. I blend storytelling with strategy to bring big ideas to life. I love guiding teams, mentoring writers, and turning ideas into compelling, accessible projects.…

Joe Nelms

PRO

I'm a writer and filmmaker who creates stories across novels, screenplays, plays, and film. Over the years, I've written and produced works that have appeared on stages, screens, and in print, including award-winning feature scripts and plays, and I’ve led creative teams in advertising and entertainment. I blend storytelling with strategy to bring big ideas to life. I love guiding teams, mentoring writers, and turning ideas into compelling, accessible projects.…

Available to hire

I’m a writer and filmmaker who creates stories across novels, screenplays, plays, and film. Over the years, I’ve written and produced works that have appeared on stages, screens, and in print, including award-winning feature scripts and plays, and I’ve led creative teams in advertising and entertainment.

I blend storytelling with strategy to bring big ideas to life. I love guiding teams, mentoring writers, and turning ideas into compelling, accessible projects.

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Skills

Experience Level

Copywriting
Expert
Pitch Deck
Expert
Pitch Writing
Expert
Script
Expert
Video Advert
Expert
Branding
Intermediate
Corporate Video
Intermediate
Promo Video
Intermediate
Set Design
Intermediate
Short Film
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Screenwriter/Playwright/Novelist/Executive Producer at Self-employed (Freelance)
January 1, 2001 - Present
Freelance writer-producer with credits across film, theatre, and novels, including Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th and The Last Time I Died; published novels with Simon & Schuster; multiple stage and screen projects.
Vice President of Advertising at Warner Bros.
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2006
Wrote and produced trailers and marketing materials for flagship Warner Bros. films, including the Harry Potter series and The Matrix trilogy; provided creative support across various studio divisions.
Associate Creative Director (Freelance – Copy, Art) at Freelance
January 1, 2010 - Present
Plug-and-play creative, concepting and writing for consumer, entertainment, and healthcare sectors; led teams to develop brand platforms, scripts, headlines, activations, and website copy; collaborated on high-profile campaigns and transitions to virtual formats during the pandemic.
Writer / Screenwriter / Playwright / Novelist / Executive Producer at Independent / Freelance
January 1, 2001 - Present
Freelance writer-producer across film, theatre, and novels; credits include Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th (Rhino Films), The Lost Episode (film), Live On Tape (NBC), and multiple stage plays and novels. Lead development and collaboration across creative teams to deliver compelling stories and production-ready concepts.
Associate Creative Director at Freelance (Copy, Art)
January 1, 2010 - Present
Plug-and-play creative lead; managed teams of 15-20 to develop and deploy large-scale campaigns; led concept development, copywriting, and art direction for consumer, entertainment, and healthcare projects. Highlights include work with Maude and Go NY, transitioning large brands to virtual formats during the pandemic, and producing high-impact campaigns for major clients. Wrote the You Wouldn't Steal A Car PSA and contributed to the MPAA PSA documentary about the spot.
Associate Creative Director at Freelance
January 1, 2010 - Present
Concepting and writing creative projects across the consumer, entertainment, and healthcare sectors (Copy, Art). Led departments of 15-20 to create and deploy massive campaigns, guided young writers and wrangled veterans, and delivered pitch-winning concepts. Also contributed to writing PSA campaigns and other marketing materials.

Education

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Qualifications

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Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Professional Services, Software & Internet
    paper Drillman

    A friend of mine is a successful dentist down in Mississippi. He had a massive gambling addiction. He would win big, lose even bigger, borrow money to gamble more and continue the cycle. That landed him $1.7 million in debt to the mafia. His therapist advised him to quit cold turkey. Not just quit gambling, but quit paying the money back because it was only going to get worse.

    So he did.

    He went on the run and convinced the warden of the Mississippi State Penitentiary to let him live and work on Death Row for THREE YEARS while he dealt with his demons and eventually paid his debts off for good. While inside he had to deal with the scariest men on the planet, corrupt guards, and incredibly dangerous prison politics.

    That’s a true story and I’ve written a screenplay based on his experiences.