We were lucky to catch up with Nicolas Casanova recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicolas, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I believe creativity is a natural part of who we are! You can find inspiration everywhere – whether you’re out for a drive, taking a relaxing walk, or simply enjoying other forms of art.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Nicolás is a Colombian director-Writer based in Miami, FL. He directed and produced El Culebro: My Father’s story, a documentary about the life of his father, the actor Hernando “El Culebro” Casanova, which premiered at the Eureka festival and several other film festivals in Colombia before being acquired by Caracol Television and shown in the United States in 2022. For this production, he was recognized by his university as one of the “Outstanding students” of 2017 and was also recognized as one of the “Outstanding directors” of 2018 for Revista GO.
Nicolás has worked in various roles in productions in Colombia and the United States, including director, producer, script consultant, programmer, and field director. Additionally, Nicolás is a member of the Colombian Academy of Arts and Cinematographic Sciences (ACACC), DASC – Audiovisual Directors Colombian Society, and REDES.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Success comes from putting yourself out there where the action is happening, developing your listening skills to really understand others, and staying committed to your goals. Remember, every small step counts – whether it’s writing one paragraph, finishing one chapter, or dedicating just one minute to edit your film. At the end of the day, all these little efforts add up to something amazing! And don’t forget to take a step back now and then to appreciate how far you’ve come and where you’re headed.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My latest project was a wonderful 40-minute music video, which kicked off an exciting partnership with the talented artist/producer Valerie Toledo (VALERIE). You know, one of the best things about this industry is being surrounded by creative, inspiring people – it really helps you grow and find innovative ways to tackle challenges in your projects! Together, we created “Within the Confines of You – The Visual Odyssey,” a beautiful visual album that represents my biggest achievement since moving to the States. Through this project, I’ve really grown to trust my artistic instincts and learned to follow that gentle inner voice that says, “Hey, let’s try one more take – we can make this even better!” While I’ve been fortunate to work on major projects back in Colombia, this was extra special because I got to collaborate directly with Valerie, helping bring her songs and vision to life on screen. Her trust in me meant the world, and I’m so grateful for the challenge. I can’t wait to share this project with everyone, hopefully after we make the rounds at some film festivals – it’s really something special!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolas-casanova.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicocasanova_s
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicocasanovasa
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nicocasanova_s
Image Credits
Natalie Ameller
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