Nichole Aurora
She is the producer of Dean Werner’s The Reaper’s Image Dollar Baby Film.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Nichole Aurora: Hello my name is Nichole Aurora and I am Creative Producer. For me Producing is were I found my niche. For me producing is such a gratifying work. Your job is to support the artista (the director). You gather the paing, the canvas and the muses. And then just allow them to work.
SKSM: When did you make The reaper’s image? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?
Nichole Aurora: The reaper’s image was shot back in 2012, it was the first short I had work done with Dean Werner. He was the first director at worked with who was ego crazed and didn’t push me into Makeup and costuming. He was about having a diverse cast and crew. For him it didn’t matter what color we were or our sex. He wanted the best team and wasn’t going to be closeminded to anyone. It was wonderful. It was a complete team effort. I read the script and was excited to work on it. I found us a 18 century home with full Antique of Antique furniture. I showed it to Dean and our production designer who rearranged a couple of things and really created a haunting space. It was perfect and we got really lucky to I found it.
SKSM: How come you picked The reaper’s image to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?
Nichole Aurora: The biggest draw for me, was Dean’s writing. He had created a beautiful haunting and interesting script. I was hooked and excited right away.
SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?
Nichole Aurora: For me as far as finding out about the Dollar Baby program with Stephen King, I hadn’t Heard about it until Reading Dean’s script. And was completely thrilled and wanted to do more stories after that.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Nichole Aurora: We have some many stories on that shoot that we’re both hilarious and very mysterious. The first day of shooting Dean was actually graduating with honors from Redland University which is the very prestigious School here in California. It took me in the entire crew to convince him to attend his ceremony and that we had everything covered they’re on set until he got done. That morning, I got a call from the pólice in the city that somebody tried to break in to the house taht we were shooting in. I rushed down to the house and met with the cinematographer and production manager to go over and make sure nothing has been taken. Meanwhile we’re going over inventory and making reports, Dean is texting us to see how setup is going and asking questions and knowing how hands on he is we were all answering and telling eachother not to tell him cause he would get from his seat at graduation and just walk out if he knew. We didn’t telle him til days later. We were able to laugh about it cause nothing was taken but the hardest part was keeping Dean in the dark till after his graduation.
SKSM: How does it feel that all the King fans out there can’t see your movie? Do you think that will change in the future? Maybe a internet/dvd release would be possible?
Nichole Aurora: It makes me a little sad and disappointed. The Dollar Baby program is such a great community. And I wish there was a festival and a you know DVD you could be a part of because your script was chosen that year. I am hoping in the future that we can have a stronger more visual platform to showcase not only are film but other incredible Stephen King shorts that are out there as well.
SKSM: What “good or bad” reviews have you received on your film?
Nichole Aurora: Good refuses the direction, Dean is a actor’s director. He’s incredibly patient and kind and supportive when it comes to helping and guiding are actors to be able to give a performance they are proud of. Also the house gets a lot of attention.
SKSM: Do you plan to screen the movie at a particular festival?
Nichole Aurora: Right now we’re always looking for the right place to submitte it to. The festival world is sometimes a hard place for genre films.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Nichole Aurora: I am a Stephen King fan. I love Misery (Film too) and The Shining (Film too).
SKSM: Did you have any personal contact with King during the making of the movie? Has he seen it (and if so, what did he think about it)?
Nichole Aurora: I believe we were given his approval, and that he had received our film. I’m so sorry I believe most of that correspondent was with Dean.
SKSM: Do you have any plans for making more movies based on Stephen King’s stories? If you could pick -at least- one story to shoot, which one would it be and why?
Nichole Aurora: I’d love to shoot more Stephen King stories. For me it’s all about the writing though. If the scripts are good and I can get people excited about it and I am completeley game to do another one.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Nichole Aurora: I’m working on my first feature we are in development right now. And my job as producer is getting people excited about it and locking down our financing.
SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Nichole Aurora: People would be surprised to know that I love love love getting people excited about my projects and getting them to give us financing. For most producers it is a hard job and it is forme too. But I love the challenge and sometimes the win.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Nichole Aurora: Thank you for your love and support on our film. Lots of time energy and a lot of love went into it. Find the director who believes in you the way you believe in them and their work.
SKSM: Would you like to add anything else?
Nichole Aurora: Thank you so much for taking this time with me I truly appreciate it and hope we can do it again son maybe next time in person. Thank you again for the opportunity.
