I’m Johnie Lewis Tidwell, Jr., also known as JT Epic — a multidisciplinary creator working across film, music, and AI-driven digital storytelling.

Over the years, I’ve developed story-driven projects ranging from animated series for cable television to brand documentaries and early dot-com media. I’ve worked with over 200 local business brands in Las Vegas, helping them clarify their message, build visibility, and create media that connects with real audiences. Story has always been the throughline—how ideas resonate and build lasting value.

What I Do

Film, music, and AI-driven storytelling Brand narratives for local and independent businesses High-concept content designed to scale

What I Build

Intellectual property (IP), not just content Story systems that extend across platforms Media assets built to last, license, and evolve

Today, I help creators, entrepreneurs, and vision-led brands move beyond short-term marketing toward durable creative ecosystems.

R.O.T.N. — Return of the Nerd

R.O.T.N. is my experimental soundlab and creative movement—blending synths, AI, and rebellion into genre-bending music for makers, coders, and creatives who play by their own rules.

🎧 Genre-bending, future-facing sound 🤖 AI-assisted music and storytelling 🧠 Built for creators, not algorithms

Current Focus

Building IP-first creative projects Curating the AI Content Creator Directory Exploring AI-driven workflows for music and film

Education

Parkland College (Champaign, IL) Fine Arts A.A. — Art / Music Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL) B.A. — Cinema & Photography Chapman University (Orange, CA) M.F.A. — Producer’s Program

Projects

aivideocoder.com aimusiccoder.com returnofthenerd.net returnofthenerdmusic.com

Connect

If you’re exploring film, music, AI, or digital media—and want to build something meaningful—I’m always open to thoughtful conversation and creative collaboration.