At 37-years-old, Nick Corbin has seemingly done it all. Holding 19 different jobs (but who’s counting) since he has been old enough to work, to being an active and engaged father, Nick is proud to share what he’s experienced and how it’s helped shape who he is today.
Rough beginnings
Nick is incredibly positive and humble, which is admirable, and perhaps surprising, considering he comes from an unorthodox childhood. He was a high school dropout at just 15-years-old and points to his “rough home life” as a reason for his leaving school. Nick says that while high school was never too challenging for him, it was tough for him to find motivation. Soon after he dropped out, he chased his early dream of becoming a rapper, adopting the name “Detro”, which is now tattooed on his arm. “When people ask about it, I tell them it was supposed to say Detroit but I couldn’t afford the i-t,” he quips.
While the tattoo remains with him today, his passion shifted towards writing, psychology and filmmaking. At 23-years-old, Corbin began his collegiate studies but never took film classes. “I’m really self-taught, and it’s something that I’ve been obsessed with since I was a kid,” he says. “My grandfather used to teach film classes at the Jefferson Center in downtown Toledo and he brought home a camera on the weekends that my brother and I loved to use.” Nick says shooting videos and capturing images with his brother helped them both escape from their undesirable living conditions.
After working his way through college with several different jobs, Nick graduated with three degrees: an associate’s degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a psychology minor and a master’s degree in English. While filmmaking remains Nick’s primary focus, he also teaches English Composition, as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo. “Teaching doesn’t really take up that much time at all… maybe 10-15 hours per week. Filmmaking takes up about 90 percent of my time.”
Filmmaking and fatherhood
Nick began taking filmmaking seriously in 2013 after he produced a short 30-minute horror film titled “Dark Things” that he wrote and directed. Most recently, he has produced a documentary on the Glass City River Wall “Mini Mural”. Over the years, Nick has produced 30+ films. In 2017, Nick welcomed his son into the world. So how does Nick find time between teaching and filmmaking to be a good dad?
“We [his mother and I] always find time to be there for him, no matter what,” he says. “Everything in my life revolves around my child because he is something that I care about 100 percent. He is the most important thing in my life.”
Now five-years-old, Leo goes with Nick on photography and video shoots. “He absolutely loves spending time with me while I’m out,” says Nick.
Nick’s piece of advice to new parents or soon-to-be parents? “Be prepared to face yourself constantly. They’re (your children) a lot like you. Every day I find ways to improve myself to make his life better; that’s my favorite part.”
Nick’s outlook on life
Between maintaining a social life, work life and personal life, it can be easy to fall into an endless, and sometimes mindless, routine.
“If you do different stuff all the time, life always feels awesome, and you’re not missing it.” Nick shares that the thing people regret most in their lives is working too much. “You’re working so hard now and it is a bet that you can buy your freedom later.” Nick looks to continue to grow his film career while enjoying watching his son grow.
To see Nick’s latest film projects, including “Mini Mural,” subscribe to his YouTube channel, Nick Corbin Productions.
Q&A with Nick
How long have you lived in Toledo?
About 28 of my 37 years.
What is your favorite thing about living in Toledo?
It’s relatively close to quite a few great cities. Three and a half hours from Chicago, two and a half from Columbus, two from Cleveland, and just one hour from Detroit… and the cost of living here is lower.
Ohio State or Michigan?
Complete honesty: I’ve never watched more than five or ten minutes of any sports contest in my entire life.
What is your favorite type of music?
I love a lot of different stuff (Synthwave, Indiepop, orchestral, etc.) but I always find myself going back to metal. I’ve had Spirit Breaker’s “Cura Nata” on repeat for a year.
What will be on your tombstone?
Happened a lot later than we all thought it would, huh?
If you could change one thing in this world right now, what would it be?
For everyone to have access to clean water and quality, affordable food.
Favorite place in town to take Leo: I have very likely gained two to six pounds this summer taking him to Mr. Freeze at least twice a week, every week, the entire time they were open. He’s also utterly obsessed with Spirit Halloween when they open.
Favorite family dinner spot: Honestly, he likes a lot of places. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but here are some of his favorites: The VI, Kotobuki, Grape Leaf Express, Tougen, and of course like nearly all Midwestern kids, he likes Chick-fil-A.
Best park for kids in Toledo: We go to Wildwood to practice riding a bike or a scooter, we go to Botanical Gardens to play on the kids’ treehouse, and we go to Olander to collect shells and swim. But to be honest, he’d probably like every single park in the world.
