Nathan Blackwell of Phoenix’s Squishy Studios: 100 Creatives

Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city’s creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 33. Nathan Blackwell.

There has never been a better time to be a nerd. Star Wars and Star Trek are getting A-list treatment. Movies based on comic books (even obscure ones) are box office hits.

And Nathan Blackwell’s Voyage Trekkers is coming to the big screen.

See also: Phoenix Artist Yai Cecream: 100 Creatives

With two seasons already under its intergalactic belt, the Squishy Studios-produced sci-fi comedy web series, which follows the worst space crew in the galaxy while lovingly skewering Star Trek, will make its way to the silver screen.

In June of 2014, Blackwell and his team launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund the film and exceeded their $10,000 goal by nearly $5,000.

“The script is done and now we’re casting,” says Blackwell, who co-founded Squishy and co-created Voyage Trekkers with Craig Curtis. “We plan on shooting the Voyage Trekkers feature film in the Valley in early 2015 and we hope to have it finished by the end of the year.”

Stay tuned.

I came to Phoenix with screams and poops. I was born in Phoenix.

I make art because creating things is how I process the world.

I’m most productive when I’m collaborating with others. Film is a social medium and you’re always hoping that someone has a better idea than the one you originally had.

My inspiration wall is full of unreadable notes and drawings.

I’ve learned most from failing and trying again.

Good work should always be human. The best comedy and drama always come out of the human experience.

The Phoenix creative scene could use more unity. The Phoenix film scene is like scattered island states, each with their own currency and flag. It’s been improving, but we need to foster a better community of collaboration and connection.

See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:

100. Bill Dambrova
99. Niki Blaker
98. Jeff Slim
97. Beth May
96. Doug Bell
95. Daniel Langhans
94. Nanibaa Beck
93. Nicole Royse
92. Ib Andersen
91. Casandra Hernandez
90. Chris Reed
89. Shelby Maticic
88. Olivia Timmons
87. Courtney Price
86. Travis Mills
85. Catrina Kahler
84. Angel Castro
83. Cole Reed
82. Lisa Albinger
81. Larry Madrigal
80. Julieta Felix
79. Lauren Strohacker
78. Levi Christiansen
77. Thomas Porter
76. Carrie Leigh Hobson
75. Cody Carpenter
74. Jon Jenkins
73. Aurelie Flores
72. Michelle Ponce
71. Devin Fleenor
70. Noelle Martinez
69. Bucky Miller
68. Liliana Gomez
67. Jake Friedman
66. Clarita Lulić
65. Randy Murray
64. Mo Neuharth
63. Jeremy Hamman
62. La Muñeca
61. Kevin Goldman
60. Emily Costello
59. Kerstin Dale
58. Vara Ayanna
57. Nathaniel Lewis
56. Ruben Gonzales
55. Lisa Poje
54. Bobby Zokaites
53. Frances Smith Cohen
52. Julie Rada
51. David Miller
50. Xanthia Walker
49. Kyllan Maney
48. Cary Truelick
47. Constance McBride
46. James D. Porter
45. Allyson Boggess
44. Abigail Lynch
43. Ashley Cooper
42. Jaclyn Roessel
41. Brandon Boetto
40. Melissa Dunmore
39. Gavin Sisson
38. Rossitza Todorova
37. Monica Robles
36. Josh Kirby
35. Jesse Perry
34. Yai Cecream

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