Hollywood, for the rest of us, is just a
fascinating dream. Only a few distinguished people make a name for
themselves there for the big global audience to see. Nancy Epao also did
not exactly set out for Hollywood. In fact, she says it is by accident
and not by design that she is in the film industry.
Although she says, ‘If accidents such as this could be deemed as living a dream, I’d say ‘absolutely!’’
Over
a decade’s journey into Hollywood and she has to her credit a long list
of works that some of us can only dream about. She has produced films,
Promos and PSAs, Commercials and numerous Music Videos, some of which
include the MTV Awards T.A.T.U video in 2005, PSA (Public service
Announcement) for Boys and Girls Club of America with actress Lisa
Vidall which raised over $4 Million dollars for the charity foundation,
INFAMY documentary feature which she put together with Emmy Award
winning Director Doug Pray and was the headliner for ResFest 2005 which
was screened in over 40 countries around the world and also a highlight
at South by Southwest Festival in the same year.
She has worked with
the likes of Nicholas Cage and Catherine Zeta Jones, as she did with
living legends like Ringo Starr, Smoky Robinson, Temptations, etc. all
of which she recalls as ‘exciting’.
But her most personal memorable
and fun project, she says, would be with Def Leppard as she goes on to
explain: “I grew up listening to them and knew almost every word of
every song. Working and hanging out with them for over a week
transported me and my sister to another dimension altogether. Aside from
getting to see their rehearsals and VIP tickets to their concert, the
way they treated me and my crew and maintaining a contact till today is
exceptional.”
As a soccer fan, Nancy says, she also enjoyed doing the
video for the FIFA 2006 official theme song “I wanna dance” with
Lumidee, a remake of Whitney Houston’s song “I wanna dance with
somebody”. Another feat certainly would be “The Stranger”, finalist in
the 7th Annual Hollywood Film Festivals, directed by Brad Furman and
starring Xander Berkley, Pat Healy, Steven Guttenberg and Dylan Smith.
She also did a PSA short film for RAINN charity organisation (Rape,
Abuse, Incest National Network) called UNBROKEN with Rachel Bilson also
directed by Brad Furman and secured sponsors and doing marketing for Par
Coeur Gala Paris 2009 for Eva Longoria and first lady of France Carla
Bruni Sarkozy for MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION France with her partner Andreas
Kutzer.
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| Nancy with Nuno of Extreme |
Having achieved so much, it comes as no surprise that she is
also the first North Eastern flight attendant in Jet Airways, much
ahead of the time she got into Hollywood. This, she remembers is also
“pure accident”, because she had not intended to apply as Hindi was not
her most fluent language and besides the airline was not known to
employing North Easterners/Orientals. For her, the interview was
impromptu accompanied by a resume written on the spot. But looking back
she says, it was the most fun interview she ever had.
“I was very
surprised when they called the same day to announce that I passed and
I’m due for a series of tests and screenings. That was such uplifting
news, considering that I had just returned to Bombay after mourning the
loss of my dearest father in Dimapur. He would not have approved that
line of career, but what does a young girl do with such an opportunity. I
did great through my training although I cringed at the burst of
laughter every time I stood up to the microphone to practice my Hindi
announcements.” “I was also very lucky to have teachers that truly cared
and encouraged me. The highlight of my time at Jet Airways was being
selected to be the only attendant to Prince Andrew as he flew with his
entourage, and getting a sandalwood garland from him as a present”, she
fondly recalls.
Nancy Epao was born in Pfutsero and did her schooling
in Nagaland spread between Pfutsero, Kohima and Dimapur. She did her
higher secondary studies in Mount Carmel School, New Delhi, after which
she came back to Nagaland for a BA degree at Patkai Christian College,
and subsequently did her Masters in English Literature from Bombay
University.
Further
on to her dream world and she explains, “While aspiring to be a film
producer was not specifically a childhood dream, my passion and heart
was always arts, be it Visual Arts, Applied Arts or the Performing Arts.
Being in the film industry allows me to stay connected with this
passion. The business side can be challenging and the competition is
very stiff. However, almost every other aspect is art in the making -
from hair and make-up artists, set builders and decorators (art
department), wardrobe stylists, musicians, dancers, actors, directors,
photography, all these touch an area of art I revel in.”
Recalling
that she did not grow up watching movies with her TV times very minimal
and monitored with eagle eyes, she goes on to say that this may explain
why she did not connect her dreams with film making as a young girl. So
it was more like a discovery rather than a set goal, says the high
flying Chakhesang Producer-achiever.
Looking back on her first
experience in film production, she says, “Most people pursuing a career
in films have a diploma or degree in film course either in college or
special career courses in universities here in the US.” She, on the
other hand, did not have this privilege, but says, “I dove in first and
learned the craft as I went along. My beginning days were filled with
excitement and I was willing to do anything from helping a painter paint
the wall a crazy colour, to doing craft service (the person in charge
of supplying the cast and crew with a table filled refreshments….not the
caterer and quite a lower position in the hierarchy of set crew), PA
(production assistant –lowest of the set crew).”
“I did it happily
because I wanted to learn by doing, not just by watching, besides, being
on the set was so thrilling to me”, she confesses.
Nancy does think
that her Naga background has an influence on her as she feels that
growing up in Nagaland basically gave her the tools for being
resourceful and creative while pointing to ‘our playgrounds - climbing
trees, running in the open fields, rolling in the mud on a rainy day:
our toys – making dolls out of corn ears and tricycles out of wood,
summer vacations - helping grandparents in rice fields. Then, as young
girls, we cultivate hobbies such as knitting, making dresses for our
dolls, cross-stitching, embroidery, weaving…all sorts of handicraft that
most Naga children grow up with.’
“All these equipped me to handle
many situations that come up on set and in life. A Naga Christian
upbringing most of all, coupled with a firm lesson
from my father to uphold Naga legacy of honesty, respect and honour no matter what, are my guiding posts”, she says.
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| Nancy with Celine Dion |
Marking
her 14th year in the profession this year, she insists, “I’m still
learning, growing and loving it. I continue to work towards a higher
goal. I have a deep desire to somehow put Nagaland in the map in this
industry. All up to God.”
The greatest challenge in her field, she
says is “People. Human dynamics. It’s all about team work in production.
Every project has several arms/departments and when one area fails, it
affects the entire project. Of course, for big projects such as major
feature films, financing is always a challenge. But that also boils down
to people/human relationships at the end. I remember what my father
would tell me often “learn the art of human management and everything
else is easy”.
Currently,
her focus is on feature films...knee deep in securing investments for
several projects with great cast attachments such as Brad Furman,
director of Lincoln Lawyer, who, she says, actually came up through her
old company and they have been through several film projects and some
years of trials and errors and success as well. “Optikal Noize, Inc.
(new company with my partner Andreas Kutzer) we have aligned ourselves
with a well established Hollywood film house as a strategic partner. We
hope to make an announcement soon with some good news”, she beams.
Although,
there is no immediate plan or clear idea how to fulfil her desire of
giving back to our people (in her words), Nancy expresses passionately,
“My heart is in Nagaland…I do believe that it will crystallise when the
time is right. One way would be bringing well known
dancers/choreographers, musicians, producers and recording technicians,
record label executives, film directors, etc, to Nagaland and give
guidance and lessons to young talents. I try to stay on track with what
young Nagas are doing in these fields and I’m so impressed and proud.
However, that final polish is lacking sometimes. And of course,
exposure. I feel that this will not only enhance these areas but also
bring focus to our tremendous talents and to Nagas as a people through
influential media movers and shakers. I do believe that God will show
the way and at the right time.”
When asked where she sees herself
five years from now, she says, “In a perfect world, I would be riding on
the success of the projects I am currently working on at the moment,
and hopefully be working on a film project tied to Naga history.”
But
as a main and the most important note, Nancy Epao insists, “I am where I
am, doing what I do, all because of God’s incredible blessings and
favour. I am amazed everyday by God’s tremendous endless love. I have
experienced many miracles; overcome many an obstacle, because God’s
umbrella of protection is always over me. It is true that trusting in
God whole heartedly and having an unflinching faith in Him leads you far
beyond your dreams.”
“Any credit I receive will be incomplete
without mentioning my dearest sister Adule who provides me guidance,
gives me unconditional love, grounds me and selflessly helps me in my
business and pursuit of my dreams. She is my best friend, my little
angel. In the absence of living parents, this is my highest treasure in
life and my core brain trust. I thank God everyday for blessing me with
such an incredible sister”, the successful Hollywood Producer puts
across.
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