We recently connected with Nicolas Clarke and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicolas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
When I was younger, I only ever engaged with films in a casual manner, never even considering the possibility of creating one myself. Yet it was once the magic of filmmaking was revealed to me — through behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube — that I became enamored with that idea, fascinated by this whole other world I knew I had to be a part of. Immediately, a passion ignited within me, prompting me to immerse myself in all things filmmaking and watch as many films as I possibly could. The COVID quarantine granted me additional time to continue my research and experimentation with my new camera, allowing me to produce a multitude of short test films to better understand all the different aspects of filmmaking. Although these initial attempts were quite amateurish, they proved crucial in my development as a filmmaker, ultimately leading me to write and direct my first “professional” short film with an actress and crew shortly after my high school graduation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a writer, director, editor, and film reviewer, but I joined the industry as a production assistant, grip, and 1st/2nd assistant camera on various film sets. This experience fueled my passion, pushing me to write and direct my own short films alongside my peers. My introduction to film and knowledge of it is thanks to YouTube and the hands-on practice of producing experimental short films during the COVID-19 quarantine. This experience led me to work on film sets and write and direct “professional” short films after high school.
In this industry, quick problem-solving skills and an intense creative passion are necessities. Thus, in that regard, I blend in with most of the crowd. What differentiates me, however, is my unwavering commitment to crafting immersive and complex yet sincere experiences that leave a strong, memorable impression on the audience.
Being relatively early in my career, it’s difficult to pick a moment I’m most proud of, but I’d have to say the ending of my newest short film ‘Refraction’. I’m proud of the entire film; I genuinely believe it’s my best work to date. Yet the last five minutes are especially impactful as they bring various storylines together while simultaneously amplifying the intensity and accentuating the emotional core of the film. Balancing a complex sci-fi premise and maintaining a grounded, authentic narrative isn’t a straightforward or simple task, but I feel I executed it effectively. It’s an entertaining ending to the film, yes; however, demonstrating I’m capable of creating something such as this is what makes it my proudest moment, as I also proved to myself I could do it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Of course, becoming a Hollywood filmmaker and creating every film I’ve ever imagined is the dream everyone longs for. Adhering to my films, however, I, of course, aim to provide entertainment, though I hope to encourage viewers to examine deeper into the themes I’m conveying and the true purpose of the film. I want audiences to feel as though they’ve gone on a journey alongside the characters, experiencing something unique and memorable. With my more “professional” work, I consistently strive to incorporate meaningful core themes that ground the narrative and resonate with viewers on some level. If the film ends and the audience leaves without any somewhat profound reflection on the film, I’ve failed.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I built my social media audience through a rather unconventional approach. Rather than focusing solely on filmmaking-related content, I opted to devote my efforts to film reviews. This decision proved beneficial in several ways. First, by analyzing and critiquing films, I better understood the key decisions that differentiate skilled filmmaking from insufficient efforts, allowing me to know what to imitate or avoid in my own endeavors.
Second, I found that providing insightful reviews was a more effective method of distinguishing myself from others than documenting my filmmaking journey. People are generally more interested in recommendations on current film releases than in engaging with a random independent filmmaker or short film.
Moreover, once I successfully established a substantial following and later shared my own short film, the support of my most corroborative followers and friends aided the short film’s success. Their enthusiasm to watch and repost my work to their followers heightened the attention of both my short film and my review page; it was a success all around.
One of the primary challenges with building an audience on social media is maintaining consistency. Regularly posting content is essential, as it enhances the likelihood of being favorably recommended by the algorithm. Preserving a schedule isn’t easy, but breaking it will quickly destroy any momentum your account has built.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verinoirfilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicolasclarke
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14288539/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_nicolas%2520clarke
https://www.instagram.com/niclovesfilm
Image Credits
Asa Denning, Cassandra Alvarez, Jaziel Leija, Nicolas Clarke