David Kleiler works across unscripted television, documentary, branded content, music, and digital formats, combining a director’s visual and performance instincts with the problem-solving of a producer and longtime editor.

After growing up in Boston playing guitar in the indie bands Sorry and Volcano Suns, Kleiler began directing low-budget music videos for artists including Yo La Tengo, Guided By Voices, and The Fall. He eventually wrote You Stand There, a practical guide to music video production and something of a manifesto for the hands-on approach that has remained central to his work.

He has since directed and produced for Magical Elves and Fullscreen, and created and ran Face’s Music Party for Nickelodeon. As Executive Producer and Showrunner of Nick News, he helped reimagine the long-running franchise for a new generation, directing documentary field pieces and overseeing studio, cultural, and political content.

Kleiler is particularly at home when creative ambition exceeds resources available. He likes building great teams, solving production problems, and finding the story in the edit. His working philosophy can probably be reduced to a few things he says a lot: “I just like good shots.” “Play the mistakes loudly.” And, most importantly, “What is REALLY going on?”

He’s been doing this for a long time and still thinks his best work is ahead of him.