Producing Greatness

July 27, 2011. Walking into the home of Ty Towriss visitors would expect to find his 17 regional Emmy’s prominently displayed on a shelf or mantle, but instead they are tucked neatly away in a box in his basement which doubles as his production studio.

Towriss has owned his own video production company, NLX Design, for 12 years.  In his small basement studio, Towriss produces video for companies such as IBM, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports Net, the Southeastern Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association.

“I know that some people are surprised that I keep my awards in a box, but I’ve worked so hard to get where I am today, and I’m afraid that staring at them every day will make me complacent,” said Towriss.

While Towriss enjoys tremendous success today, he attributes it all to having paid his dues early in his career.  Towriss began his career in 1990 as an intern at Turner Broadcasting.  He interned in three departments before landing a freelance position with Turner Sports.

“When I graduated from college in 1990, Turner Sports was just being launched,” said Towriss.  “The production budgets were minimal as was the pay.  For a while I actually lived in the Clermont Hotel with a roommate, and could still barely make rent, but the experience was invaluable, and eventually the countless hours of worked paid off.”

Over the course of 9 years, Towriss went from an intern that did little more than lug tape from one location to another, to a Senior Producer and head of the graphic design and creative services department.

Amy Towriss, Ty Towriss’ wife, said, “When I met Ty, he was working his way through the ranks at Turner.  A few years later, he was able to start his own freelance production company because of how hard he worked and the contacts he made early in his career.  His company is so successful because he is willing to do whatever it takes to make the client happy.  He strives for perfection and always finishes on time and on budget, and his clients really value his dedication to every project.”

While Ty Towriss’ company is small, it serves as a “one stop shop” for clients.  Towriss and his staff write, direct, shoot and edit video and are also able to do graphic design, 3D animation, and voiceover work.

“This industry is constantly changing and evolving, so I know I need to have a big bag to tricks, and I want to be able to offer clients things that other companies can’t,” said T. Towriss.  “Being able to do more than other companies our size has allowed me to retain clients for a number of years, and also has allowed me to have complete creative control over projects.”

Towriss’ company is small, but he still is able to give people starting out in the business opportunities to work on various projects.  Among these is Ted Redington, a 22 year old college student that has worked with Towriss for a year.

Redington states, “At first I was very intimidated.  The equipment is so expensive and complex and Ty works with such big name clients that I was very scared I would mess something up, but Ty took the time to show me everything.  He even gave me the freedom to come up with my own ideas and use his equipment to independently capture and edit footage.  For someone that’s as talented as Ty to be so receptive to my ideas and be so helpful is amazing; you couldn’t ask for a nicer boss and I’ve learned so much working for him.”

“I never want to forget where I came from,” said Towriss.  “I want to be able to help people that are just starting out in the business, because I remember what it was like to be a young, hungry kid that just wanted to get a foot in the door.  Being able to show someone the ropes is a really nice feeling, and after 20 years in this business I’m glad I’m able to be in a position to do so.”

Although Towriss has been working in the television production industry for over 20 years, he shows no signs of slowing down, “I’m lucky to be able to wake up every morning and do something I love,” said Towriss.  “As long as I’m still having fun, and producing work I’m proud of, I’ll keep doing it.”