Ep 177: Embracing Authenticity: Celebrating Natalie Higdon's Storytelling Triumphs

Welcome to another episode of our podcast where we bring you the stories behind the stories, where we delve into the minds of those shaping the worlds of film, theatre, and fiction. Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to a talent who has been making waves in the world of storytelling.Originally hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, and now calling the city of angels, Los Angeles, her home, Natalie Higdon, is a writer and performer whose work embodies modern narratives with an insightful edge. Her third feature-length film script, "Pick Up Sidney", has gained noteworthy recognition. This compelling tale of estranged siblings Michael and Sidney on a cross-country journey to a funeral has resonated with audiences and juries alike."Pick Up Sidney" has been recognized as a quarterfinalist for the renowned Nicholl Fellowships with The Academy in 2020, a semifinalist at the 2020 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition, and was officially selected by LiveRead/LA. In addition, it reached the semifinals of the 2020 ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship.Natalie's flair extends beyond film scripts. Her spec script for "What We Do In the Shadows: Mid-Atlantic Bicentennial Vampire Convention" secured a spot in the top three of all submissions in the Austin Film Festival Comedy Teleplay Spec category.Not one to be confined to a single medium, Natalie also made her mark on the digital stage in November 2020. "Zoomed: A Socially-Distanced Workplace Comedy" marks her first venture into writing and directing a digital series.Turning to the realm of theatre, Natalie has been recognized for her unique portrayal of contemporary life. Her play, “Missed Connection,” which imagines the lives of Greek gods in today's world of dating apps and gluten intolerance, clinched the first prize in Emerald Theatre Company’s 10-minute Play Festival. The previous year, her play, “Connection Not Available,” a darkly humorous look at eternal social media notifications, was selected as a finalist for the same festival.In addition to her work in film and theatre, Natalie's short fiction has found homes on Little Old Lady, Funny-ish, and The Museum of Americana.Natalie Higdon, through her body of work, explores the perils of fitting in, trauma, and the courage it takes to be true to oneself. So, sit back and prepare to be inspired as we dive into the creative journey of this remarkable storyteller.W: https://www.nataliehigdon.com/contactAlso, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: https://www.kweli.tv/programs/the-people-of-brixtonDamien Swaby Social Media Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmaker_damien_swaby/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DamienSwaby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorWebsite: http://filmmakingconversations.com/If you enjoy listening to Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, I would love a coffee. Podcasting is thirsty work: https://ko-fi.com/damienswaby.