#Female Filmmaker Friday features Actress, Screenwriter and Director Nicola Hanekom.
I find inspiration in the beauty and tragedy of real life. I'm highly empathetic and often feel overwhelmed by the emotions of others. As a result, I feel compelled to speak about the experiences and struggles we all face as humans. However, this constant exposure to the dark side of life has left me jaded and somewhat cynical. But I've found that expressing these feelings through my work is a way for me to channel my emotions and avoid feeling like I'm going to explode.
To me, creativity is all about being present and aware. Real life tends to slip by unnoticed. It can bulldoze and bombard you or lull you into complacency. But when I embark on a film project, I'm forced to focus, pay attention, think deeply, and question everything. I become acutely aware of the world around me and the tiniest details that make it unique. This level of awareness is what drives me as a creative person and makes me feel truly alive. It's almost like meditation, a state of complete focus and mindfulness that allows me to channel my ideas into something tangible.
As a woman in film and television, my ultimate goal is to connect with my audience in a meaningful way. I want to create stories and characters that move people and make them stop and think.
It's difficult to pick just one memorable experience from my time in the film and television industry, as there have been so many special moments. However, what stands out to me the most is the courage and dedication of actors. They allow us into their most private thoughts, feelings, and dreams, and often take on-set challenges in their stride. I'll never forget working with an actor in his eighties who had to film a scene in the freezing rain, being dragged through mud. Despite the grueling conditions, he never once complained. Actors are my heroes, as they always push through when the going gets tough.
As a filmmaker, I also have firsthand experience of going above and beyond to get the shot I want, and I've even stunt doubled in my own films when budgets were tight. I've submerged myself in ice-cold oceans as a corpse and hung upside-down from rafters in the name of storytelling. I'm willing to do just about anything to achieve my vision and bring important stories to life. I do hope that better budgets will save me from having to double as a corpse again in the future though!
For me, the highlight of my journey with Swift has been the work that the organization has done to ensure that sexual harassment has no place on sets. As a Swiftie, the thing I love the most is the sense of community and support that comes with being a part of this group. We share our journeys, celebrate each other's successes, and lift each other up during tough times. It's an amazing feeling to know that I'm not alone on this crazy but exciting career path that I've chosen.