We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Vanden Broeck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Nicole, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing confidence and self-esteem is a constant and continuous journey. During my career I’ve had moments where I felt confident, but I’ve also had moments where I’ve suffered from impostor syndrome. And I believe it’s exactly the aftermath of learning to cope with those moments, with all the doubt and the uncertainty, that end up making you more resilient and building up your self-esteem. You realize that no one really knows exactly what they’re doing, that it’s part of the human condition to make mistakes and that you can learn a lot from failure. And I think it’s fundamental to talk about it, because going through it, you find that not having it be a part of the conversation is one of the main reasons that makes it harder to overcome. Having to pretend in front of a bunch of people that as film directors we never have doubts or second thoughts is exhausting. But in the end, I will always be grateful for the darkness and the struggle, because it taught me that my voice is the main and most important thing I have as a filmmaker.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Mexican-French film director. I’m drawn to tell stories that explore intimate relationship dynamics through characters dealing with identity conflicts within their journey to awareness and self-discovery. After graduating from college in Mexico City, I founded an independent production company where I directed narrative, documentary and commercial projects. A few years later, I moved to LA to pursue an MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute. After graduating, my thesis short film ELLE screened in several festivals around the world and won the Grand Prize Marlyn Mason Award at the Academy Award Qualifying Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, as well as the Platinum Remi Award at the Canadian Screen Award Qualifying WorldFest Houston International Film Festival. Currently, I’m at the post production stage of my latest short documentary STAY APART TOGETHER produced by Studio333 and Perro Azul, which we aim to premiere this year. I’m also in the development stage of my first narrative feature script THE SOUND OF FIREWORKS with the support of Cine Qua Non Lab.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As I mentioned earlier, I think that believing in your voice and trusting yourself is what will take you further in your filmmaking career. Having personal and compelling stories told from an authentic and unique perspective is what will set you apart from the bunch. Because the bunch is big, especially in LA where everybody wants to make movies. And finally, learning to deal with criticism and rejection is crucial along the journey, because everybody has an opinion, but it’s also important to remember that opinions are subjective. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, because that can paralyze you. Have self-compassion. It all comes down to being determined and committed enough, to not give up and keep moving forward until you find the right people who connect with your story and vision.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
The most helpful asset in overcoming challenges is having people who believe in you when you don’t. Surrounding yourself with a strong community of colleagues and coworkers, who will become your family, know your work, and remind you to keep pushing through during difficult times. In my experience as a director, I’ve found having a solid and close relationship with your producer always makes the filmmaking path smoother. They will have your back, support your ideas, fight for the needs of the project and be there when things get rough. Because anyone who is in the filmmaking business knows that the journey tends to be rocky and challenging, but in the end it is always fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolevandenbroeck.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolevb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.vb.13
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-vanden-broeck-4a321235/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolevbm
- Other: https://vimeo.com/nicolevb
Image Credits:
Guido Raimondo, Mathieu Seguin, Elizabeth Petersen
