Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Nicole Leier

Nicole Leier is an award-winning producer and director, as well as an actress, who has made it her mission to tell stories she believes needs to be told. So much so that she cofounded Black Tree Pictures with partner Brendan Uegama. We recently caught up with Nicole to learn more about her multifaceted career and the projects she has in the works.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Nicole: From a very, very young age I remember daydreaming, telling stories, and acting out stories from the books that were read to me. I was always loud and outspoken, so it was just natural for me to become an actor.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Nicole: Ava DuVernay definitely has influenced my aspirations as a director. Her appointment to the Academy Board is such a huge win. Viola Davis and Meryl Streep, as actors, are huge inspirations to me as well. I’ve followed their careers for such a long time, and they continue to inspire me to this day.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Nicole: A memorable moment for me is when the writers and producers of A Score to Settle changed the male part to a female part. Not only was that an amazing turn of events, but the opportunity to work with Nicolas Cage in the same film was incredible. I hope that I can continue to push the boundaries and change perceptions for other women in Hollywood.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a producer and director. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Nicole: It’s a very symbiotic relationship, the director-actor thing. When I act, I feel I have a better understanding of what production needs from a director’s standpoint, and as a director, I have an understanding of what I can do to make actors feel comfortable on set. I feel honored that I get to work on both sides.

PC: You’ve used your platform for change. Can you tell us about your personal journey discovering your voice? Have you always known you wanted to utilize your platform in this way?
Nicole: I have always had a strong desire to help people. This looks different for everyone, but social media is a wonderful tool to get information out into the world. We never know who we may inspire, inform, or what conversation may get started because of a post. I feel like it is our obligation as artists to continue to use our voice to make the world a better place.

PC: Tell us about starting Black Tree Pictures and how that came to fruition.
Nicole: I’ve always wanted to make projects and tell stories that I feel are important to share. As a creative, I feel that we have a responsibility to the world—to our communities—to make art that has a positive impact, and my production company is a way for me to do that.

PC: Your production company has a few projects in the works. Are there any that you can chat about at this time?
Nicole: I’m really excited about the future of Black Tree Pictures. I have a feature film in development that’s about to shoot with my co-owner, Brendan Uegama [Riverdale, Katy Keene]. I also have projects in development with my writing partner, Indira. Unfortunately, as everybody knows, you don’t want to let the cat out of the bag too soon, so that’s all I can say about that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Nicole: The Great British Cooking Show. I can’t believe I told you guys that! [laughs]

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Nicole: Requiem for a Dream, Fight Club, and Spun, for its amazing camerawork and shots.

PC: Favorite book?
Nicole: I have two: The Biography of Theodore Roosevelt and Mindy Kaling’s Why Not Me?

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Nicole: Slave Play. It changed my life! I saw it three times in NYC on Broadway.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Nicole: Nine Inch Nails

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Nicole: Regina King

To keep up with Nicole, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Farrah Aviva