We recently connected with Nick Saenz and have shared our conversation below.

Nick, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Since college, I continue to take the risk of financing and creating my own short films. It’s led to disastrous results of having to start my life over again and again. A few examples, I made a feature film after graduating college, and everyone (small group of friends) was on board for the project. They were in love with it. Took years to finish. It went nowhere, bombing hard at the festival circuit. Had to go back lay low for a while (with my parents). Then I tried to have an ongoing improv show but luckily that idea was cut early due to the Pandemic (COVID-19), then my hours got cut and went back to live with my parents. Now I’m back in the world, creating a new short film. It’s roughly 20 minutes and while all of my friends are laughing, having a good time making it, It has too many failed set pieces to think it will be a success (fingers crossed though). I think if you’re on a website about creatives then you’re looking for something, inspiration perhaps, an answer to a deep longing. But what I’ve discovered is there is no answer. There’s also no question. There’s only the “I have to do this” feeling. And unless you’re putting your life or others in danger, then you probably already know whether or not you have to take the risk.

Nick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I make films, write short stories, and perform on stage. I do this because if I do not, I feel very sick. I started as an actor but didn’t study that because I thought it would get boring (big mistake). I went into film but then didn’t study very hard because I wanted to be an actor. As for the brand of my content, I would say it’s for consumers who are not completely satisfied with their current content, want more, and find enjoyment in my content. I think I’m most proud of, or really the only thing I’m allowed to be proud of, is that when people see my work they say “This is you, Nick, this is very you.” They say that with tears and head shaking of disappointment, but I ignore that part because I read a book once that said athletes succeed because they are somewhat delusional. With that said, I’m proud that the things I make, in my opinion, are not a waste of time to the average viewer.

Currently, I’m trying to create content that is more relatable and palatable to a general audience. This is to avoid the general populace thinking I have no talent. Please check out “The Brief Sensation” coming out January 2023 on Youtube.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

This question can be a bit tricky because some people don’t get too choose being a creative, either because they have no idea it’s an option given their circumstance or they’ve stumbled upon it and can’t ever let it go. The answer for me though is connection. It’s very difficult to connect with humans now a days. There’s everyday life people have to deal with, and there’s this crisis of knowledge we have to deal with you know with the Space ever expanding and our bodies being made up of a collection of cells with their own objectives.
I love when there’s non-violent chaos on the bus or plane or an elevator or a water park and you turn to a stranger and you lock eyes and you both think, “This shit is crazy, right?” That’s the connection I’m talking about.
So when I make something and it connects with someone (genuinely, deeply) for that moment we’re a little less alone.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that those who are protective of you also know what’s best for you. Trust that people have the best intentions for you (or you might become crazy paranoid) but accept that they may not know what the best for you may be (unless it’s about a relationship then your friends are probably right). I had to unlearn that people know what’s the best way to succeed. People that love you might not be able to see past their own fears and guide you to what they think might be the safer choice. Most likely though, you’re both probably wrong. You should be more cautious about your spending, but they also have a point that you need a gameplan.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nickjsigns
• Youtube: youtube.com/@nickjsigns
• Other: vimeo.com/njsaenz

Image Credits
On stage – Jac Blades Everything Except Hope Poster – Allison Webster