Film is a unique and versatile medium in and of itself.
Hear from rising filmmaker Ashley Nicole on her newest project and her methods of creativity that allow her to keep pursuing her passion of filmmaking.
Q: When did you start and when did you become interested in filmmaking?
Nicole: I first started doing films my first of college back in 2019, not as a student or anything. I mainly started doing it for fun and practice. I was originally aiming to become a YouTuber but since people started watching the short films that I uploaded, that’s when I set my mind to becoming a film director. But I think I became interested in filmmaking when I was a kid. I’ve just always had a love for films.
Q: What made you decide you wanted to pursue film?
Nicole: I think what made me want to pursue film was just the thought of sharing my work with people so that they can see it.
Also, just putting my imagination to work is something else that motivated me to pursue this career type.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your newest project, “To Dream Land We Go”? What inspired it and how did you go about making it?
Nicole: the short film To Dream Land We Go is a short film which is actually a sequel to another film I did last month called A Happy Place. In this new project, the little girl from the previous film is grown up but is traumatized from the abuse she suffered from her parents as a child. The point of this short film is to cover the after-effects and the emotional scarring that abuse can have on a victim as an adult.
My inspiration for this project came from a unicorn light that I bought at Walmart. Also, the music of Billie Eilish and other music as well.
Q: What is one of your favorite and one least favorite thing about being a filmmaker?
Nicole: My least favorite thing about being a filmmaker is coming up with new ideas, it can be easy and difficult at the same time.
You have to take breaks in order to come with a new story to tell otherwise you’re going to be out of ideas.
My favorite thing, however, is just the filming process and the editing process. Those are the two main things that make a film a film.
Q: What was a major setback in your artistic career and what did you learn from it?
A major setback that I came to face to face with was if I want perfect results in what I’m doing, especially in film, I have to take my time in doing what I do in order to make the project that I’m working on come out the way that i envisioned it.
Q: What advice would you give to young people pursuing art as a passion or career?
Nicole: My advice for those who are thinking of pursuing art or any type of art as a passion would be to just create everyday and create something that makes you happy and sits well with you.
Create everyday and create something that makes you happy and sits well with you.
Q: What was your goal when you were younger and have you achieved that, or how does that goal look like now?
Nicole: I’ve achieved far more than I was originally going for. Like, right now one of my short films got selected to be in a film festival! That’s really exciting especially for someone like me who is just starting out as a filmmaker. so as far as the goal looks, it looks great so far.
Q: Is there anyone or anything that inspires you?
Nicole: Someone who inspires me would be Michael Jackson, he was just a very genius artist. I’m not saying that I’m him but I think that we both have a lot of things in common when it comes to art and creating.
Ashley’s work:
https://filmfreeway.com/AshleyNicole31
Ashley’s Socials: