Meet Lindsay Nielson | Producer & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Nielson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, how do you think about risk?
You know the amazing quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” Wayne Gretzky is credited with saying? I took that to heart the first time I heard it. I repeat it to myself often. I understand that taking risks will result in failure all the time – but failure is life’s greatest teaching tool. I’m lucky enough to be the mom of four adorable children and I often teach them that when learning to walk, we fall time and time again while someone helps us up, over and over again. We don’t stay down do we? We eventually get up and then turn around and help others do the same. Risk taking for me right now is saying YES to film projects where I am continually taking on larger roles. I am really excited about our next project, Lycan. It the first film in a series of films from The Supernatural University Transmedia Universe. The Supernatural University I.P. is insanely cool and has been designed to incorporate every existing entertainment medium and beyond. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it. The universe includes movies, episodic tv series, toys, and merchandising. It also consists of a real online university where students can learn about the unexplained mysteries In and out of our world. It was built to transcend all platforms so fans could experience this universe in every aspect of life from its inception. When I think about all the moving pieces of this behemoth project, I can get a bit overwhelmed and I have to take it one inch at a time sometimes. At the moment the whole idea seems so nebulous, but there will be a time, sometime down the road when hopefully our characters and stories will feel like they’ve always existed. I love being on the ground floor of a project of this size.

So, whether it is in producing a project and/or being on-camera talent, I really try to say yes. Yes to projects that really speak to me and to ones that I know will help my skill set grow. I know where I excel and I know the areas I need more experience – but I can’t be too proud to ask for help. Finding a mentor, someone who’s been down that road before, is a surefire way to leverage the risk. More recently when asked if I really wanted to spend more time behind the camera, I said YES. I didn’t have too much experience in that area so I started out small- writing local commercials and producing them. I now have multiple film projects ahead of me and am ready to tackle storytelling the way I always wanted to. If I hadn’t spoken up to the right people at the right time, I wouldn’t have these great opportunities ahead of me. I’ll never forget the moment when I raised my hand and said, “I can do it,” when volunteering to look at a few scripts. I am now a full member of an amazing creative team with Zach Thomson and McKenzie Van Dorne-Rice at the helm and it’s thrilling. I fully realize that the ball is always in my court, I just need to show-up take the shot – while always showing gratitude for the people willing to take risks on me and coach me where I need it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The first film that really stayed with me was Disney’s ‘Beauty & The Beast.’ It was quite dark for an 8-year-old and I remember the colors, costumes, songs and feelings all too well. I was terrified of the West Wing and wanted to tell Belle to stay put! But, we all know, she needed to break the spell and couldn’t do it without taking a few risks. It was powerful to watch. I want to tell stories that are powerful, that unify us in the human experience and that graciously share perspective, without forcing it. Ultimately, I really want to give people a good honest laugh too – humor is powerful. I have had some really trying experiences in my life and finding a way through them with humor is my particularly favorite remedy. I have a few projects coming up that are somewhat outlandish in nature, (escapism at it’s finest) but also have that very important thread of humanity woven throughout. So, hopefully, we will get a few chuckles out of our audience as well as some lovely and touching moments, while not taking ourselves too seriously. I plan on making the kind of films that you think about for a few days after, that ultimately cheer you up and perhaps have made the world a brighter place. Movies do that for me, and diving into the production side has been a lifelong endeavor that started when I was very young. The first step towards realizing my fairly ambitious goal (for a girl from Washington state with zero Hollywood connections) happened on a plane when I was a teenager.

I remember sitting next to a gentlemen who managed a movie star, who at the time was larger-than-life, it was exciting for sure. I was 17 and in love with storytelling on the big screen. I knew I wanted to work in the film industry one day. We were on a long flight and he graciously answered all of my questions about film sets and working with talent. He also gave me some pointers on how to get involved. I could have sat back, fully intimidated by a working professional – but I knew I had this great chance sitting right next to me and I took it. He could have said no, but he didn’t. I remember realizing at 18 that I needed an agent to find my way onto a film set. After doing some research I cold called an agency – got an audition time and showed up to do something I’d never done before, that no one I knew had ever done before and stood there and delivered what was probably the worst audition ever. I was told to take some acting classes and come back. I invested in a reputable company, took the classes and within a few months found my way onto my first film set. These are all risks I am so thankful I took. I also took a risk of walking away for a time. I married my best friend and created such a beautiful family with him. My kids are an absolute joy and provide endless entertainment. I fully immersed myself in motherhood and am so thankful to have a decade of total humility and honest hard work on my resume. There is nothing like cleaning up bathroom disasters, kissing a recently bleeding and band-aided elbow, and snuggling till the late hours to keep someone grounded – and deeply involved in storytelling to a rapt audience. As they’ve grown I have been flexing my film muscles again and spent the last few years working on smaller projects both as an actress and a producer. More recently when asked if I really wanted to spend even more time behind the camera, I said YES. In this upcoming year, I have multiple film projects ahead of me. I am working with the greatest team right now on a project called “The Supernatural University.” It’s a trans-media behemoth that will have project after project in both film and television. It’s a real-life university where people can take online classes as well as tune into fantastic depictions of their favorite creatures/myths and lore on the big screen. I’m working closely with the team to get the university up and running and currently serve on the school board as the Viceroy of the university. It’s incredibly fascinating to help this project take shape. If I hadn’t spoken up to the right people at the right time, I know this is an opportunity I would not have had. I’ll never forget the moment where I raised my hand and said, “I can do it,” when volunteering to look at a few scripts. I am now a full member of the creative team and so far, it’s a risk that has more than paid off.

Film is such a cool medium. I remember seeing a painting at a young age that just knocked my socks off and realized that in our world today, film IS our art and combined with the perfect music, it’s fully immersive. Film our cave paintings, our sculptures and our chapel ceilings – it’s how we relay the human experience to each-other and will be archived in our history to share with future generations.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Vegas is one of our families favorite cities! We would start with brunch at True Food Kitchen in Downtown Summerlin – which is where all the locals love to hang out, shop and people watch. Then we’d head up for a beautiful hike in Red Rock National park; the Calico Basin Trail has all the gorgeous red rocks plus a marshy meadow with a boardwalk the kids love to run around. If we were in the mood for some pine trees and a cool breeze we could head North up into Mt. Charleston for another rad hike. Lunch at Aspire Cafe at the base of Mt. Charleston is so tasty and is surrounded by a beautiful park system with a laid back vibe. To end the evening out in true Vegas style, we would catch a Cirque Du Soliel show and then grab an authentic Italian gelato while watching the Bellagio fountains. Dinner? Easy! There are so many world class restaurants on The Strip. I love the view from the Top of The World at The Strat, and the food is divine. I’d ordered two of the Baked Alaskan Desserts, one for me and one for everyone else.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Screenwriter Ron Meeker is someone I am so happy to shoutout. Ron and I are working on such a fun script right now and I will tell you – his ability to tap into to what I’m cooking up in my dreams for this film are unmatched. He not only asks really good clarifying questions, but he works through all the motivations and intentions with a singular acumen that is as wildly intimidating as it is entertaining – he is just that creative. His collaborative approach can only be described as so dang generous. It’s really refreshing to be around someone like Ron. I feel like it helps foster the kind of environment where creativity can really shine. He gets the job done and it’s so fun to witness. It’s an honor to work with him.

Website: https://www.thesupernaturaluniversity.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelindsayreport/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FAIUcMwKrI&t=112s

Image Credits
Kiffyn Rodriguez Heidi Lee