Rising Stars: Meet TJ Noel-Sullivan

Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Noel-Sullivan.

Hi TJ, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t actually grow up much of a film buff, but I did love reading and stories and coming up with my own stories. I started pursuing filmmaking seriously in college, making a number of short films and writing scripts, which led to my thesis film, On The Whistle, which serves as a proof of concept for the feature length version which is currently in development. The film tells the story of a suburban basketball star who’s struggles to impress the uncompromising new coach of his inner city school. So much of my filmmaking journey, and this film in particular, was made possible by my community. The film shot in my hometown of Hartford, CT, and so many people donated time, food, and expertise to make it a reality. It made the entire process so enjoyable.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Filmmaking is a constant struggle. From an objective point of view, rallying dozens of people to come together and help make your vision for a story into a reality seems nearly impossible. It takes passion and persistence, and even those aren’t enough sometimes. I think all artists also deal with their own internal struggles of deciding when their work is ready to be released in the world. It’s so hard to judge when you need to spend more time on something and when you’re only holding it back. But I’ve found having a core group of people you can trust to give honest feedback and who just want to help you succeed is such an important thing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a writer and director who really tries to focus in on small, compelling stories that tackle much larger issues in the world around us. Whether it’s a basketball tryout or a job interview, I enjoy the challenge of examining everyday situations, finding the important themes that speak to the world we live in today, and adapting them for the cinematic. I think it’s the way I’m best suited to share my thoughts with the world.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a pretty standard nerd. I liked to read during recess (I read a lot), and I loved school. I also played team sports, which I think has really drawn me to the collaborative spirit of filmmaking. And starting in high school, I came out of my shell more, out of my books, and started to interact and examine the world around me.

Pricing:

• All of my films are free to watch at https://vimeo.com/tjnoelsullivan

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tjnoelsullivan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjnoelsullivan/
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/tjnoelsullivan