Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy McColm.
Wendy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before I even know myself I was a director. Starting my creative endeavors with VHS cameras, spoofs, talent shows and Co-Directing High School plays. I originally started as an actor when I moved to Los Angeles (not a far move from Long Beach, CA) but wasn’t satisfied with the roles so I began creating videos for a website called “Youtube” – I had no idea what it was back then.
Starting with a point and shoot digital camera, videos of my mother, or best friend, I got my hands on an editing software- and from there, things took off. I happened to get more acting roles, I met my first Cinematographer Steven Soria while acting in a short film, we then did many shorts together. Leading me to land commercial work, and my first commercial shot in Paris “Rendezvous &OtherStories”.
Landing a spot at Upright Citizen Brigade Theater was a highlight as an actor, and pushed me further into TV and film. There was a point 3 years in though something was missing for me and that is when I took a Meisner Class at Playhouse West. Meisner has changed my life, how I see actors, acting, writing, and the element of never knowing and never expecting. Here I met many dedicated truthful actors, and admiringly so- I became a truthful actor and director as well.
With this, and life circumstance. Darkness was spun into light by creating my Debut Feature BIRDS WITHOUT FEATHERS. We had the World Premiere at Slamdance, taking home the Spirit Award 2018. We are headed to Munich next and gathering awards along the way.
With the touring of this film coming to an end here in October (with hopeful distribution for this life changer) I am directing commercials for Coca-Cola Light, Vitamin Water and more. I am also finishing the script for my next feature “Days of Electric Eyes”. Acting roles come here and there but I would like to say I am proud to be a writer/ director who on occasion gets to express the voices of others when asked to act.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When you are different or have a voice, sometimes people don’t like that. And it is important to know who your true mirrors are and false mirrors and to keep going. Have compassion for self. Always.
That is something that took a long time for me to learn.
FilmsFilms or Birds Without Feathers – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a producer of over 50 short films and a feature film. I put on live shows like “Cinema Darlings” in Los Angeles. We create a space for equality, Women Directors, Male Directors, and Non-Gender Binary Directors to create and break the mold of the industry. We all have the power to do this. We just want to allow that change, and to do that we all need a safe inspiring place.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
If you have a life’s purpose, and if every day you do something toward that. Then that, that is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: Birdswithoutfeathers.com / wendyfilms.com
- Phone: 5622090547
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Birdswithoutfeathers / wendymccolm
- Twitter: wendymccolm
Image Credit:
Ryan Schude
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