Nita Blum has built a diverse career spanning over 20 years in the TV and film industry, wearing many hats, including editor, producer, and director. She began her career at HSI Productions in New York as a coordinator for music video productions for Missy Elliott, Dido, Jadakiss, and various national commercials (2001). Her early work included notable contributions to unscripted and documentary projects such as History's Modern Marvels, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, MonsterQuest, and Dog the Bounty Hunter during her time working in post at A+E Networks. She moved to Los Angeles in 2009 and worked on the pilot season of the popular series Dance Moms. Nita also helped produce content for screenings at The Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles, including contributions to National Geographic's Water: Our Thirsty World, which also aired on PBS, and Sports Illustrated's SPORT: Iooss & Leifer (2010). These projects were filmed and edited in 4K, a new format at the time, and Nita worked in post-production as part of an innovative pipeline for delivery.
In 2011, Nita worked as a Web Content Producer for Nonfiction Unlimited in Santa Monica, collaborating on marketing and commercial work for documentary filmmakers Stacy Peralta and Oscar winners Barbara Kopple, Jessica Yu, and Steve James. In 2012, she worked for Sundance as the content and social media manager, a rigorous position at Sundance HQ in Los Angeles, showcasing her digital marketing expertise.
In 2013, Nita Blum founded her digital marketing and production company, BBH. Since then, she has worked on diverse projects as a producer and editor, including marketing campaigns, independent films, music videos, and documentaries. In 2015, she collaborated on the marketing and festival rollout with Sean Dunne, a Tribeca Film Festival award-winning documentarian. In 2016, Nita produced a series of web content for AOL Media that played internationally online. She also joined Need-a-Fixer, an international global production house, and has worked with them to produce numerous international documentary projects in Arizona.
In 2021, Nita shifted gears to direct and shoot her own body of work, aiming to document and empower female community leaders, artists, activists, and those whose voices often go unheard in the mainstream cinema canon. Her 2023 documentary short on muralist Shela Yu: Shellshaker was an official selection at both the FIFF and Indie Film Fest. Currently, Nita is producing a project funded by a 2024 City of Phoenix Arts Grant, delving into the intricacies of the community food chain.
Nita holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts (cum laude) from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and a Master of Arts in Documentary Studies (summa cum laude) from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. She is based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Production at the Poitier Film School at Arizona State University and as a SAFE Set Coordinator. She is also the Barrett Honors College Faculty Advisor for Film. Nita has received training from IDC on intimacy coordination and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive sets for all. As a Safe Set Coordinator, she ensures that the learning environment is supportive and respectful for everyone involved in the production process. In addition, Nita serves as the Film Resource Liaison for the Arizona Film Office and is an active board member of the Arizona Production Association, dedicated to supporting Arizona's vibrant filmmaking community.