We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charlotte Verminck a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Charlotte thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’m currently in the last phase of the post-production process of my upcoming short film “Mind of Thoughts”. It took me about 2 years to get to this moment. The journey made me experience a lot of difficult moments, but as I’m so passionate about its topic, I just kept pushing through because I’m convinced that this film had to get made.

Mind of Thoughts sheds a light on what few people ever speak about, mental health and the acceptance of failure. It takes a great mental toll to create, and often the bigger the project, the more pressure is on the line and the toll can become too much to levy. We have seen this from the greatest creative minds all over the world, from Ernest Hemmingway to Vincent Van Gogh.

My hope is that anyone who watches this film understands more about the creative struggle and its mental toll. Creatives, both established and emerging, all suffer the same doubt, the same questions of self worth, and the battles of the mind. This film serves as a reminder that you are not alone.

Next to the topic of the film, my vision as a filmmaker is to put as many creative people with ambition on the map as possible. I wanted to create a genuine family both on and off screen. Through this project, I wanted to give people who have a passion for their craft the opportunity to grow and live their dreams, hand in hand.

Charlotte, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My love for filmmaking ignited when I discovered an editing software when I was 10 years old. It was such a life-changing moment and showed me the power of storytelling to its core. I started making films with my classmates and my dog, and these moments felt so authentic and exciting to me that I wished I could do this the rest of my life.

When I stayed in Los Angeles interning at a high-end production company located in Hollywood, I decided to fully pursue this deep passion. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Communication and Media, I immediately started to deepen myself in the world of cinema making my debut with the award-winning short film “Pathless”. I believe that anyone can do anything if one just follows their curiosity while continuing the act of never giving up.

This vision was extended by founding a creative production company, Above The Nerve, which is built on the need to have a place where people feel both valued and respected, and allows them to be involved in projects that are truly labored with love. I put her full energy behind creating a thoughtful, warm, and kindhearted environment that gives people with a passion the opportunity to work, collaborate, learn, and grow.

I’m a big supporter of connection, equality, and persistence. In my eyes being yourself is the prettiest thing a human being can be and can lead to boundary-breaking results. Life has a lot of bumps in the road but also a lot of high mountains. I believe that together we are able to focus on these last.

​The aesthetic of my projects is based on the exploration of human psychology, usually topped off with a poetic undertone. I often combine a contrast between naturalism and a touch of flamboyance. Through my projects, I aim to create an atmosphere of connection and introspection.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think my goal is to inspire people to reach their highest potential – both the people in my team and the audience experiencing my work. I would like to do my part to create a world where people see the deeper things in life and in themselves.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Being an artist isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity to survive. It’s something that whenever you try to let it go, it seeks you all the way back at all times. It feels like a part of you is missing or a desire you have is not fulfilled.

Yet being an artist isn’t easy. We put our deepest parts on display for other people to judge and live with a lot of complicated emotions. We often question our own worth and experience impostor feelings about ourselves, despite our successes.

This is often misunderstood by people who aren’t in the arts, which more often than not makes us question our “being different” once again. Our life is rooted in the exploration and we continuously have to forge our own way through the jungle as we don’t walk the regular, easy path. But are you willing to not fit in and create something that matters, or merely blend in with the masses?

I would love to encourage every fellow creative to follow their curiosity and embrace their “being different”, because that’s where – bam! – the magic is found.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charlotteverminck.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotteverminck
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abovethenervefilms
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-verminck/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@abovethenervefilms
• Other: https://www.abovethenerve.com

Image Credits

Selina De Maeyer