Nancy Vazquez is a native of Newark, New Jersey. Nancy grew up in a domestically violence household, where her father was very abusive and thought nothing about beating up (abusing) her Mom, herself and her three sisters almost daily, because he was a drug addict at the time.
Nancy grew up knowing that her mother sacrificed her dreams, happiness and life to protect her daughters (she became a punching bag for them). After years of suffering, trials and tribulations Nancy’s Mom was liberated and started a life anew with her daughters. Fortunately, Nancy’s father moved away to Puerto Rico and got help much later.
Nancy’s mother remarried though she still bore the physical scars of abusive. Nancy wanted to be a change in today’s world, after being a witness to the abuse her family suffered. She studied “acting” for years, but it wasn’t enough. Because she had untold stories to tell, but didn’t want to tell a story without a solution. Nancy knew undoubtedly, the yearning to save lives and start conversations about abuse, so no child, person or Mother should endure the sort of pain, suffering, nightmares she lived.
Nancy also worked as a Skycap at Newark Airport for 25 years and just retired alongside being a part of Union 32BJ. Nancy was honored to help bargain the contract for the airports in the Tri-State area which affected 7,000 employees to raise minimum wages to living wages. Nancy is a guest speaker (Advocate) at various gatherings on behalf of living wages.
Nancy Vasquez has also met with Hillary Clinton and had the privilege of sharing her story with Hillary. She has met with Al Sharpton and spoke at his National Action Network in Harlem. In this lifetime Nancy wants to help people make a better life. She believes that we are as strong as our weakest link and we are all interdependent. Nancy chooses to tell stories through the Film, TV and Cinema creating a greater platform for change.
indieactivity : How would you describe your work as a director?
Nancy Vazquez : My work as a director is very rewarding for me. I do enjoy telling a story with vision and understanding as a great screenplay. My goal is to bring such a film to life and to respect the work of the writers.
indieactivity : How did you get into directing?
Nancy Vazquez : I worked as a producer for a small film company in NYC. But, I was not happy with the direction of their films. So, I started writing and directing my own films. I want a screenplay, music video or anything I direct to exude “heart and soul” that is transparent to audiences.
indieactivity : How do you choose a project to direct?
Nancy Vazquez : I have to read the screenplay, talk to the writer so I can achieve the “heart and soul” of the writer. We’d discuss casting, locations, cold reading, budgets, producers, script supervisor, rehearsals, call sheets, assistants, film dates and the production team.
indieactivity : What uniqueness do female directors bring to film/tv/cinema?
Nancy Vazquez : So many. We bring our souls to work. A female director has many layers to communicate our feelings, words and actions. I also believe as women we give birth to things.
indieactivity: Do you often take courses to increase your craft?
Nancy Vazquez : I have studied with Richard Scanlon for over four years, the Stella Adler Technique for film, TV and theater. I studied writing, directing, acting in HB studios, NYC. I also studied acting, speech, directing and theater and Nexus in NYC with Susan Batson at Susan Batson Studios.
indieactivity: What books do you read?
Nancy Vazquez : I read Susan Batson and Nicole Kidman’s “Truth”, Gustavo Mercado’s “Filmmakers Eye”, John Ahart’s “The Director’s Eye”. I also studied Directors in the Script Lab like Alfred Hitchcock, Ava DuVernay, Jordan Peele, Steven Spielberg, Tyler Perry, Eleanor Duse, and Miriam Williamson. Other self-help books include Oprah’s “Encouragement” Edkhart Tollie’s Self Help and more.
indieactivity : Why would you choose an actor, writer or producer?
Nancy Vazquez : I love to do my own writing, directing, and producing. When I am directing someone else’s project or directing a big project. I choose the writer and/or producer by the commitment, understanding, and uniqueness of the project. I choose my actors by their understanding and ability to bring the character to life.
indieactivity : When you are offered a project, what things do you put in place to do a good job?
Nancy Vazquez : I put together a reliable hard working production team that include, assistant director, script supervisor, producers, two cinematographers, call sheets, storyboard, break-times, lunch, outfits, angles and shot list with my Cinematographer.
indieactivity : Briefly explain your latest work?
Nancy Vazquez : My latest full featured is M.O.T.H. is a full feature, psychological thriller about a woman named Linda Blake who grew up exclusively in the foster care system. After a horrific childhood, Linda systematically tracks down everyone who ever hurt her and makes them pay dearly. Despite extreme adversity and trauma, MOTH shows us that it is never too late to heal.
For Linda, while it is too late to fix the broken cycles of destruction and abuse from the people entrusted to care for her, it is not too late to learn to love and start a new! (MOTH has the incredible achievement of 6 women producers)!
MOTH has been accepted into multiple film festivals which include, The Newark International Film Festival where I was awarded Best Actress for the leading role in the film, and nominated for Best Director. ABC News and FOX 5 covered the film festival and acknowledge my projects submission as well as one of my starring actors Lavori as well as publications, such as Get Out Magazine and others.
We have currently acquired multi-award winning recording artist Shawn “ETCETERA” McClain, to provide an amazing star studded platform of source music and award winning sound track to match his prior project Paying Mr. McGetty. The eleven song film soundtrack distributed by World Wide Music / UMG. It is currently seeking distribution!
indieactivity : Explain key challenges on your last film?
Nancy Vazquez : One of the locations for the film, we had was a hospital and it comprised 60% of the filmmaking. But, just two weeks before we filmed they backed out of the deal. My location supervisor and I found a replacement hospital one week to principal photography. I also lost my job in the middle of shooting so foreseeing events became challenging. Overall, I wouldn’t change anything. I have learned a lot that I am grateful for.
indieactivity : What ‘thing/situation’ helps you during a production?
Nancy Vazquez : I had a team of 6 woman producers that helped me immensely! Women we give birth, so creating is a gift we have.
indieactivity : Explain a creative choice you took on set production?
Nancy Vazquez : I changed the ending on set and it was the best decision I made.
indieactivity : How do you advice female directors to find projects?
Nancy Vazquez : Find the projects that resonates with you, then give it all you have got!
indieactivity : How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Nancy Vazquez : Finance is a department, that I am learning. I am grateful to continue this learning. I think filmmakers should do the same.
indieactivity : What do you want from an actor during a production?
Nancy Vazquez : I want the actor/actress to act with their soul. Acting is a lot about imagination and life experience. I want an actor to research their character and just be.
indieactivity : How do you prefer to work with a producer production?
Nancy Vazquez : I make myself available nearly any time and I like to have a close relationship with my producers.
indieactivity : What can a female director do to get into the film industry?
Nancy Vazquez : On the set of my last featured I change the ending and that was the best decision I ever made…Now it’s open for a part 2.
indieactivity : Who is your favorite director?
Nancy Vazquez : Ava DuVernay for so many reasons but if I had to make a choice it would be Middle Of Nowhere…The focus was on Ruby, The wife of a convicted prisoner ! The soul sees the forgotten. That was enough for me.
indieactivity : What advice do you give female directors around the world?
Nancy Vazquez : If you feel it in your soul don’t give up , your time will come, keep Going!
indieactivity : Briefly write about your career?
Nancy Vazquez : I was a producer on “Latin Assassins” first project. I was one of the creators, writer, director and actor for “The Right To Live” currently on Amazon Prime. I was a lead actor on Streetz 1, also on Amazon Prime.
I am the creator, writer, director, actor and producer on my MOTH or “Matters of the Heart”. I directed Etcetera music video “So Long” (an R&B artist). I am the director and cinematographer for Lovari’s music video “Give Me Back My Heart”. I am also the creator, writer and director for “Dating Games” an 18 minutes short film that is currently on the film festival circuit.
I made a short titled “Pink Coat”. It is about “drive by” and “gun violence”. “Regrett” is another short film that I created with my baby sister Nelly Vazquez who passed on recently (RIP Lil Sister). “Lesson Learned“ is also a 24-Hour film challenge. I co-wrote and acted lead on “Because Of You“ a short about gun violence.
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