Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichola Fynn.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Originally from Essex England from a little town called Billericay. According to my family as a kid, I would watch the film ‘Grease’ over and over again. I guess that’s where my obsession and passion for the entertainment industry began! No one in my family is in the business and so I had no advice as to what to do but I knew that if I was going to take this seriously I would need to go to Drama School. I thought that is what every actor did. I also didn’t want to be a ‘one trick pony’ and only do acting so I wanted to have an all-round training in acting, singing, and dancing. So decided to take Saturday lessons at the prestigious Italia conti theatre Academy in London. Eventually, I auditioned for ‘full-time training’ for the three years performing Arts course. I remember being so determined. My mum told me I should audition for other school just incase but I was adamant I was going to Italia Conti. When I think of that now I think gosh what on earth was I thinking only auditioning for one school! But luckily out of 4,000 applicants of auditions I ended up getting in. I was over the moon…finally I am going to school where everyone else loves to do what I do and I will hopefully ‘fit in’. ‘Fame’ song springs to mind lol! I had a wonderful three years at Italia Conti, it wasn’t always easy but I learned so much! As well as training we got to perform in musicals and plays. I’ll always remember in my 2nd year I was in the musical ‘The Wild Party’ I had the smallest part in the show. I had two lines however, my character is on stage most of the time. In one scene my character ‘Sally’ is drunk and she ends up trying to perform the dance number with everyone but fails miserably ..and I was told by the audience – I end up being extremely entertaining and comedic to watch. My family were so proud and I’ll never forget from that day on it gave me the confidence to know for life that even if you get cast in the ‘smallest part’ it’s ok and doesn’t matter as you may get noticed and get rewarded for your efforts. It was a great lesson to learn ahead of such a rollercoaster of a career! I am glad I managed to graduate with a 3 Year Diploma. I was excited to start my career.
My first job was a ‘stand-in / Body Double’ for Gina Phillips in the film ‘The sick House’ a horror indie film. I had six weeks of solid work and I’ll always be grateful for this I guess I couldn’t have asked for a better job to learn what it’s like to be on a set, find out who’s who and what their responsibilities and jobs are and what it’s like to be an actress. Even though I wasn’t acting and being seen on screen…I learned how to be directed, find your mark on the floor for camera, etc. basically shadowing an actress to know what is needed and expected. I’m scared of watching horrors and we got to film in disused hospital in East London. Haha it was scary but perfect location for a film! After my first job, I continued to audition and taking classes… In my time in London, I had been on set of films: James Bond ‘Skyfall’, Pirates of the Carribean ‘On stranger tides’, TV: BBC’s The Hour and What Remains. Commercials for Avida Insurance with The Beatles ‘Ringo Starr’, and Virgin Media TiVo with Marc Warren. After years of being in my homeland I figured it might be time for a change and think of going to the USA… Hollywood to be exact! I just felt I had come to point in my life where things were slow and it was hard to ‘break in’ and ‘be seen’.
Maybe Try my luck in Hollywood. Such a cliche but I figured I can’t call myself an Actress if I haven’t tried the place to be where so called ‘Dreams come true’. I have always been a huge fan of ‘Friends’ and it was filmed in LA. That was my dream and my calling… something in TV like a sitcom. I adored it! I can still watch episodes now and don’t get tired of them! I came with a group of British, and Australians for a networking week in LA and that really did open my eyes to all the possibilities and opportunities America had to offer. I had a blast and it gave me the confidence to know that this is what I should be doing and that this was my path! At the time my USA working visa was pending so was when I came home I would hopefully find out the news that I got it approved and that I could pursue my dreams. Thankfully within a few months it did get approved and I was able to plan my trip to move out to LA asap! I came to LA not knowing anyone, I had my suitcase in hand and ready to start my journey into the unknown. I had meetings set up with managers and agents I had met with on my previous trip. It was an exciting and nervous time. I have been in LA seven years now. There’s been ups and downs but mainly a positive experience. I miss my family and England but so thankful I am to stay in touch with them everyday. Which is a big help. This is not for the faint-hearted I have grown in so many ways and it wasn’t easy but it has all been worth it. I am still here somehow and still positive.
In my years of being here, I did have a dream come true… I booked a Guest star role of ‘Olivia/New Joy’ in the hugely successful sitcom ‘Hot in Cleveland’ starring with the legendary Betty White. It was a whirlwind. I remembered being over the moon and had to pinch myself several times it was happening. It was my TV debut in front of a live studio audience. I rehearsed with the cast and crew from Tuesday and during the week and we filmed the episode on a Friday. I was so happy and it was the best experience in my career so far. I was working with incredible actresses Betty White, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, Guest starring Robert Wagner and Will Sasso. I was working and learning from the greats and there was little old me with them! Surreal and just amazing! I will always be thankful I got cast and always have fond memories for life!
I then got cast in Amazon’s Transparent an episode in Season 2. Yet again, I was blown away that I had been cast on such a wonderful award-winning show. Here I was at one of my favorite studios in LA, Paramount Studios with my own trailer. Eeeek! I was yet again beyond excited and had to pinch myself several times that this was actually happening. An incredible cast. I worked with an actress I have admired for many years the lovely and talented Gabby Hoffman and also Amy Landecker. I was also being directed by the legendary Jill Solloway. I had such a great time on set and a life-changing experience that I will never forget. I then got cast as a Principal role on the Feature Film ‘Altered Perception’. I had mainly so far been cast in comedy so to get a dramatic role was fabulous as it meant it challenged me as an actress. I had such an amazing time on set. I felt I had branched out and grown so much, working on my emotional range. This film screened at theatres across USA and it was yet again a dream coming true seeing myself on the big screen. I have been in other projects including other Indie films, short films, Feature films, TV, commercials, voiceovers and modeling.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest challenge is trying to stay strong when you are constantly being rejected as an actress. Not taking it too personal. There are so many factors why you wasn’t chosen it could literally be down to you had the wrong ‘Eye colour’. So it does make you feel at ease when you change your mind into being more positive. Another challenge is to not get overwhelmed. There is a whole city of opportunity and possibilities here in LA that it can be so overwhelming to know where to start. I decided to take one day at a time and also not to do so many things at the same time. I felt when I first was here I burnt out my energy as I felt I needed to be everywhere all at the same time and take on to many invitations. Learning to say no wasn’t easy but helped me out big time in the end. It’s hard to get around this city dealing with traffic that I have found if I can fit in one or two things a day that is still good enough!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
In my years of being here, I did have a dream come true … I booked a Guest star role of ‘Olivia/New Joy’ in the hugely successful sitcom ‘Hot in Cleveland’ starring with the legendary Betty White. It was a whirlwind. I remembered being over the moon and had to pinch myself several times it was happening. It was my TV debut in front of a live studio audience. I rehearsed with the cast and crew from Tuesday and during the week and we filmed the episode on a Friday. I was so happy and it was the best experience in my career so far. I was working with incredible actresses Betty White, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, and also Guest starring in this episode Robert Wagner and Will Sasso. I was working and learning from the greats and there was little old me with them! Surreal and just amazing!
I was so embarrassed though on the day of filming. I was getting ready for filming and I think because I was a bundle of nerves I felt like I should spray myself with more deodorant. Worst idea ever… I wasn’t paying attention and I accidentally sprayed one of eyes. I have always been clumsy but omg I couldn’t have planned this even if I tried. I had to be rushed to the medic room and thankfully the nurse helped get my eye back to semi-normal! I was so relieved to say the least! I was the butt of jokes all day on set .. ‘Does anyone want to spray their eye with deodorant?’. I guess at least I was entertainment for the day haha! I will always be thankful and proud I got cast and always have fond memories for life! What sets me apart I guess is definitely being From England. I will always be British and my accent is still very strong even though been living in the states for seven years. Also, try not to loose your identity! We all have something to offer, we are all unique and never change who you truly are!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
This has been a learning curve and I feel so many factors have helped me along the way. I try to keep true to who I am, remembering who helped me where I am today and never take anything for granted. Communication is key! My family, especially my Mum has helped me to stay grounded and keep my chin up even if everything seems impossible. I still have strong connections to home as well as LA, it’s important to have real friendships that can be there for you when needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm2133461/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @nicholafynn
- Facebook: Nichola Fynn
- Twitter: @nicholafynn
Image Credit:
Warren Saire, Breezeway Productions
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