Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Filmmaker Nicole Conn Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Write the book you want to read. Make the Movie you want to see.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Nicole Conn.
Nicole Conn is a visionary filmmaker, novelist, and storyteller whose work has redefined LGBTQ+ cinema and resonated with audiences worldwide. Known for her emotionally charged narratives and groundbreaking projects, Conn’s career spans decades of critically acclaimed films, novels, and innovative media ventures.
She is also an accomplished author with eight novels to her name, including Passion’s Shadow and Angel Wings (Simon Schuster) She Walks In Beauty, as well as co-authoring The Preemie Parent’s NICU Survival Guide.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born right outside the Indian Reservation at Mesa, Arizona. My Mother, who was a classical pianist, tells the story that the day she brought me home my father had purchased her a piano. She tossed me in the crib, dashed to the piano and played until I cried from hunger. I believe this is how my love for classical music became part of my DNA. My mother has moved 39 times in her lifetime, and I’ve got her beat. Lots of Life lived in my years on earth. I’m a total Auto-didact and have learned everything through the act of “doing it.” Much like my main character, Alexandra, I lead with my heart, use passion as my beacon. Gratitude is my Religion…I’ve been blessed beyond blessed.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was passionate about story telling from the time I was in 3rd grade. I would cut out all the heroes and heroines from comic book strips and I would create new speech bubbles for them so I could tell the story I wanted to see! From the very beginning I wrote pretty much daily…stories, dear diary diatribes and lots of agonized journal entries in my teens all the way until now!! I wrote my first novel after I quit drinking at 24. But I also had a love affair with B&W film from the time I was old enough to watch TV which indirectly led to my career as a filmmaker.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most “Hollywood” things that ever happened to me was the first time I tried to get “Descending Thirds” published nearly 25 years ago. Suddenly, I’m thrust into a whirlwind of Hollywood excitement. Every major agency is clamoring for my book — ICM, CAA, William Morris — you name it. I sign with William Morris, feeling like I’ve hit the jackpot.
Then, one Friday night, I get this surreal call from my agent’s assistant, who’s at a NY industry party. She’s telling me that my manuscript is the talk of the town. I’m over the moon, thinking, “This is it. I’ve made it.” What follows is a masterclass in this industry of what I refer to as the “fast track to the slow no” and “hurry up and wait.” It’s a rollercoaster of high hopes and dashed expectations. You’re always on the verge of something big, but somehow it keeps slipping through your fingers.
In the end, I learned a profound lesson: in this business, timing is everything. Projects don’t come to fruition just because you want them to, or even because they’re good. They happen when the universe decides it’s ready for them. It’s a humbling experience that taught me patience and perseverance in equal measure.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Hmmm — not sure I have a funny mistake, but I have experienced happy mistakes along the way. The one that feels most powerful happened when I was super-tired editing my film “A Perfect Ending”. I was so exhausted that I accidentally used two separate shots on top of each other, one of which I literally slipped and reduced its opacity. The next morning, when I began work again, I realized that I was able to see two separate pieces of information — both equally interesting — which began my love-affair with double and triple dissolves. It’s become part of my “style” and another gift in my toolbox to help create the most visually compelling aspect of any scene I’m shooting and to consider ALL the variables. Yes, it ends up being more time consuming, but the payoff is well worth it.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I have been extraordinarily blessed by the people that I have found along my journey, starting with Pamela S. Kuri. She produced my first film, “Claire of the Moon” and pretty much held my hand and taught me as we went along. She has been there for me my entire career. Along those same lines my ex-life and film partner, Marina Rice Bader created Soul Kiss Films so we could make “Elena Undone” & “A Perfect Ending” together. And when I went to make the first ever LGBTQ+ Dating Competition Show (ala The Bachelor) JoAnne Millar came in and Executive Produced and financed the entire first Season (16 1-hr Episodes). I truly love collaborating and because all my films are passion projects the folks who get involved are in for the love of the material. Finally, last but not least, are the fans who have helped crowd-source my last four projects and who watch my films over and over and over again…which is the absolute best pay-off I can think of.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Making any film — even my super small independent films — is truly one of the most challenging efforts you can undertake. These projects require 1000% involvement and commitment. The best advice I can give is to “go for it” and believe in yourself and your creative vision.
Take notes, advice, feedback, but know you are where the buck stops. You must always be asking yourself not what you like or what you want to do, but what is best for the project. It’s your vision. That’s both the challenge and the beauty of filmmaking.
Surround yourself with people you like and trust. This business is too intense for anything less. You’ll encounter many who don’t understand the creative process, so you must be able to share your vision while also protecting it.
Trust your gut! And never be afraid to ask for favors. There used to be an oft-repeated quote “you only get to ask for one favor.” Who says!?!!
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
The most critical component of what I do is finding the money. That’s the hardest, most grueling, soul-sucking endeavor. It’s hard to stay positive when you feel like you’re pimping yourself out. I wish there was a way for the industry to have more funding for the small personal film. If the powers that be stopped to think about it, instead of spending 50–100 million dollars making movies that are often destroyed by packaging and never see a return — they would realize there was a lot more money in funding a 500K film. But don’t get me started on value issues because I believe the people that should be getting actor’s and football player’s salaries are teachers and nurses.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I’m thrilled about the upcoming release of “Descending Thirds” on March 15th, but that’s just the beginning. We’ve adapted it into a nine-part limited series, which I believe is the perfect format to fully immerse in this story. It’s Emmy-worthy material across the board — from the lead performances to the score and art design.
I’m also finishing “Blue Love Dance — A CineRomance,” inspired by what I consider the pinnacle of my career — the love scene dance in “More Beautiful for Having Been Broken.” It’s a groundbreaking concept, and the telling of it is about my love affair with all things celluloid!
My ninth feature, “do we not grieve,” is in development. It’s a powerful drama delving into the mind-altering effects of profound loss and the unexpected paths to healing. Each project pushes boundaries in its own way, reflecting my commitment to storytelling that resonates deeply and challenges conventions.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Absolutely. One, Two & Three is that our stories matter. They teach and they heal. One of the things I love about “Coming Out For Love” is that between the Contestants and the Guest Judges and our phenomenal Hostess, Jessica Clark, the viewer experiences a tapestry of unique and very talented women. I’m so proud of this snapshot of our community “Coming Out For Love” provides along with a universe most straight folks are simply not familiar with. And our stories matter the most to those facing their own sexual identity, many of whom are finding their way to coming out. The films and shows with prominent gay characters are often the only identification available to those living in communities that are still very closed off to the LGBTQ+ community.
What are your “Five things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
Nothing is more important than spending time with your children — I’m not telling parents anything new when I say, it really goes fast.
- Write the book you want to read. Make the Movie you want to see.
- Doing Lunch & taking meetings are two of the hugest wastes of time.
- “You can’t do that” is merely a coward’s excuse.
- Never fear failure.
- Stay present or you’ll miss it!
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I used to run in the mornings and as I got older began to power walk 4–5 miles 4–5 times a week. Walking in the morning sets my mind up for the day, but it also gives me a ton of energy to attack all the daily To-Do’s. And it keeps my body healthy and makes me feel so dang good!
I spend as much time as I can with my kids…Seriously, they are my refuel. As I say about my adorable grand-daughter Ocean, “She delights the heart and the spirit.” Being with my son always makes me feel such incredible joy. My daughter, Gabrielle, is the person I trust most in the world. My step-kids are equally loved and adored, Alexandra, Lauren, Buddy & Daisha.
For my mind, I do as many brain activities as possible. I’m obsessed by Puzzles — up to 6000 pieces now. I’m an avid poker player. I crossword daily, engage in game apps and challenge myself to learn new things — like all the special effects in “Blue Love Dance — A CineRomance” I taught myself how to use. Always be creating new neuro-pathways!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Life can be ordinary, or it can be great” — This is step from Women for Sobriety, which is the program I used to get sober at 24. It’s all about our attitude…and for me that’s all about gratitude!
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Honestly it would be to deal with the deep divide in our nation. It isn’t just about politics anymore — it’s about two fundamentally different realities. If I had the means, I’d propose a peaceful separation: the United States of Blue and the United States of Red. Not out of anger or hate, but from a place of acceptance that we’ve grown too far apart to reconcile. Let each side live according to their values and vision. It breaks my heart to say this, but I can’t bear to watch what’s happening to our country. I’ve literally not seen a second of news since the election. My heart can’t take it. Sometimes, loving something means knowing when to let go.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
That probably would be Kamala Harris…She would have been one of our greatest leaders.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleconnfilmsglobal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleconnfilmsglobal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.conn99
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleConnFilmsGlobal
IMDB: https://bit.ly/NicoleConnIMDB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleconn
Website: https://nicoleconnfilmsglobal.com
Website: https://comingoutforlove.com
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Filmmaker Nicole Conn Is Helping To Shake Up The… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.