Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jean Nasser. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jean thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
There were so many moments where I knew. Whenever I try and think back to that “aha” moment, I always end up torn, because for as long as I can remember I’ve always had that burning urge to create stories and express myself through characters. The truth is – I found reality boring. My whole life, I’ve always looked for any way to submerge myself in art. Stories and characters have been the best way for me to escape. There are so many memories that go back to when I was 5-6 years old. I remember dressing up as Jack Sparrow while running around the park pretending to fight bad guys. Halloween would always be like Christmas to me just so I can play a different character. I took dressing up as Edward Cullen so seriously that I didn’t eat anything just to stay in character. I also remember having this old cellphone that was gifted to me at 7. Phones with cameras were very rare back then, and I discovered I could make short little movies with my Mighty Muggs action figures. I got so much joy out of seeing my imagination come to life in any way I wanted, that I knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I found it comforting and cathartic. It wasn’t a decision. It just happened. The passion has never died since then. Almost immediately after, I started taking acting classes with Joann Polanco in Puerto Rico at 8 years old. As I learned so much from her and auditioning not long after, my love for characters grew more and more. After winning an award for Best Drama Actor in the IMTA NY, I ran from mall to mall in Puerto Rico, selling candy bars just to be able to afford a plane ticket to Los Angeles. It wasn’t easy, it took many long months of disappointment, frustration, getting kicked out of almost every place I set foot in, being made fun of, and judged. But knowing how hard I pushed on and sacrificed just to be able to pursue a career, only cemented my passion. I fought hard through tooth and nail until eventually, I reached my goal. Those sacrifices my younger self made, only taught me to be resilient, no matter the circumstances. That’s exactly what I did when working in LA as an actor. Not long after directed by amazing minds like Deborah Pratt and George Clooney, I was inspired to grab a cheap tripod from the nearest pharmacy and my smartphone, just so I could make my first short film. Throughout every obstacle I’ve come across in my life, I’ve always chosen art instead of vice. That’s what I wanna motivate and inspire people to do.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been working as a filmmaker since I was 14 years old. Even with little to no equipment back then, I’ve tried my best to create my own opportunities and use my voice to tell stories. Thankfully, I’ve had the blessing of having my work screened in many festivals worldwide such as the TCL Chinese Theater, Regal Cinema, Peekskill NY, Kosice, Madrid, and Paris, among many others as well as being nominated for the NBC Emerging Directors Program in 2018.
Me and my team have approached every project we’ve done with one main purpose and intention:
Raise a voice.
As fun and satisfying as it is to bring my stories to life, and the long process that comes with it, I never do it for myself. With every film and story I put out, I try my best to raise awareness on things the world often chooses to ignore. Whenever I find something wrong with the world, I create art out of it and try my best to shed light on it. If we distract ourselves from the horrors of reality, we need art to remind us to get our shit together.
With my short film Flytrap at 16 years old, I wanted to raise awareness on domestic sexual assault, and that not everyone’s lives are perfect. With Flatlined, which I made during the pandemic, I wanted to show the true horrors of alcoholism and substance abuse. With my book Ill Shadows, I wanted to raise awareness on mental health and the overuse of technology and the internet. With my psychological horror pilot Undertow, I wanted to show to what lengths depression can take you and bring awareness to the homeless.
Right now, with my current project, this is my way of saying “enough is enough.”
I am currently in pre-production for my first feature film The Effects of Her Nerium, based on the book by F.R. Diaz. It’s a story about Lilith Simmons, and her origin as The Rapist Killer. I want to help bring F.R. Diaz’s interpretation of a female serial killer to life. A villain you want to see win, and that makes you question your own morality. Because we all have demons, and I want to show what happens when you let them win.
The horror in this movie will take form in the real monsters of this world, and how Lilith goes to brutal lengths to give them a taste of their own medicine. Our SFX makeup artist and prop master, Jude CC, will not be making the truth any easier to swallow with her practical and handmade gore.
We want to make a horror film that saves lives, and motivates people to make a change. We are a diverse cast and crew working together to bring awareness to victims of kidnappings and missing persons all over the world, to empower and bring justice to victims and survivors of sexual assault, raising mental health awareness, representing the LGBTQ+ community, empowering women with a strong female lead, and advocating for suicide prevention.
You are welcome to join us. Help us raise a voice. We can’t do it alone. An Indiegogo campaign will be up and running soon to help raise the necessary funds to bring this story to life. Stay tuned to my linked social media for updates on the campaign and the project!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Inspiring people. Getting them to open their ears and listen. That’s all I care about.
Accolades, awards, and even positive reception means nothing to me the moment I inspire people to actually make a change in the world. To follow through and use their own voices. Knowing I’ve done my part in helping a cause and save lives the same way film has saved mine many times, is the most heartwarming feeling.
It’s all about that connection and impact, right? For me, inspiring people to truly pay attention, to actually let my message sink in, and hopefully make a real-world difference is what fuels my creative fire.
In today’s world of instant gratification, where attention spans can be fleeting, managing to get people to open their ears and really listen is like hitting a creative jackpot. We’re bombarded with content left and right, so being able to break through that noise and touch someone’s heart or mind is a massive achievement.
Recognition and awards don’t hold a candle to the feeling of knowing that my work has spurred someone into action, ignited a spark, or even helped save lives. It’s like my art is a catalyst for change, and that’s beyond rewarding.
When I weave messages into my films and see them resonate with people, some of which have been my own peers, and survivors and victims reaching out to me online and offline to tell me how much my message meant to them, it’s an incredibly gratifying experience. Sometimes I’m tackling tough subjects, showing the world’s raw, painful side, and it’s not always easy to create or witness. But knowing that this effort might lead to empathy, awareness, or even motivate someone to contribute positively to the world, it’s like a validation of the power of art itself. It’s like, yeah, my work has a purpose beyond just entertainment.
At the end of the day, it’s that feeling of gratitude, knowing that through my art, I’ve managed to communicate something meaningful and connect with people on a deeper level. It’s what keeps me going, pushing the boundaries, and pouring my heart into my craft. That’s my fuel that keeps my engine running through every project I make. All I want is to keep fueling my viewer’s hearts.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are several things, but one thing I’ve mostly struggled with myself throughout my journey (and I know I’m not alone in this) is in finding affordable spaces and locations to film in. Finding affordable studio and living spaces in LA can be a struggle, especially for young artists and filmmakers. Society could help by offering subsidized spaces or repurposing unused buildings for creative use. This would give us a physical place to work, collaborate, and bring our projects to life without the constant financial stress. It’s the main reason why a crowdfunding campaign is being created for my current feature film. Traveling to Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, and Kentucky with cast and crew to film and bring the real scenarios of the story, is not cheap. Even in Los Angeles, finding affordable areas to repurpose and film in can be a real hassle, and can lead to filmmakers resorting to stealing locations.
On another note, film festivals and showcases have long been a platform for indie filmmakers to gain exposure, recognition, and potential industry connections. Expanding on this concept, the idea of creating dedicated streaming services tailored to indie filmmakers with short films can provide numerous benefits:
These streaming services would offer a curated collection of short films, making it easy for audiences to discover unique and innovative content that might not be available on mainstream platforms. This exposure can lead to increased visibility for smaller indie filmmakers and their work.
By focusing on indie short films, these platforms can attract a niche audience that appreciates experimental, artistic, and boundary-pushing content. This audience is often passionate about supporting emerging filmmakers and their creative endeavors.
As these platforms gain popularity and recognition, they could attract the attention of industry professionals, including producers, distributors, and talent scouts. This could potentially lead to opportunities for indie filmmakers to transition to larger projects.
Collaborating with existing film festivals and showcases can provide a natural extension to the festival experience. Films that perform well on the streaming platform could be highlighted during physical events, creating a symbiotic relationship.
Creating dedicated streaming services for indie filmmakers with short films aligns with the democratization of content distribution, giving creators more control over how their work is presented and allowing audiences to discover hidden gems in the world of indie cinema. This approach not only benefits filmmakers but also enriches the cultural landscape by showcasing diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: starvingwords.com
- Instagram: @jean_nasser_ @teohnfilm
- Twitter: @jean_nasser_
- Youtube: youtube.com/estrofilms
- Other: filmfreeway.com/jeannasser