Sue Vicory - Inspirational Filmmaker

Indie Entertainment Podcast

Monica speaks to Inspirational filmmaker for all ages and genders, Sue Vicory

Three time Telly Award-winning filmmaker, Sue Vicory (www.suevicory.com) has been creating community-based films and projects within her not for profit production company, Heartland Films, Inc. since 2003. Her works include "Homelessness & the Power of One,” feature documentaries “One” and "Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future" and short films “Absent” and "1898, The W.F. Norman Story. In 2015, she founded Team XX, an all female team of 25 filmmakers that created the award-winning film “Down Stage.” Vicory is a member of the LA based Alliance of Women Directors and creator of the website www.womendocumentaryfilmmakers.com to increase visibility for female filmmakers.

Three time Telly Award winning filmmaker, Sue Vicory was born in DeKalb, Illinois and grew up in the Midwest. Sue has been married to her college sweetheart Jay since 1978. They have raised 2 daughters, Tracy and Katy.

Sue began working at her family’s business, W.F. Norman Corp. in Nevada, Missouri in 1987 where she is currently co-owner and CFO of the business. She received a Master’s Degree from Webster University in Computer Resource Management. Sue is a long time runner and has completed 3 marathons. Her other life passions are film, music, travel and anything outdoors. Sue and her husband have a weekend farm that they retreat to and spend holidays at with their children.

Since 2003 Sue’s extra time has been spent creating community based films and projects within her not for profit production company Heartland Films, Inc. Her first film was entitled “Homelessness & the Power of One“. The film debuted in 2005, shortly after Katrina hit New Orleans. It went on to raise $200,000 for shelters while winning numerous awards. The ten minute documentary took 3 years to make as she traveled to 15 cities across the U.S. The film screened across the nation and Sue spoke to dozens of groups about the experience of meeting those that were homeless. Sue screened the film at a luncheon for Steve Lopez (The Soloist) and also won an emerging filmmaker grant sponsored by General Motors and Women in Film. Sue won the Spirit Award in 2007 from Kansas City Women in Film & TV and the Angel Award in Harlem, NY.

The My Power of One project was born out of this first film. Sue spent 9 months in two urban high schools creating community based projects with students. She went on to create food and coat drives at her family business engaging other businesses to join in.

Sue’s next film took 5 years to create and finish. The feature documentary, “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future“ debuted as a sneak peek in 2010 at the Gem theater on 18th & Vine in Kansas City with Marilyn Maye headlining the red carpet event. The full release of the film was in 2011 as it aired on PBS in June of 2011 and January of 2012.

On the heels of that film’s release came another short film in 2011 called “1898, The W.F. Norman story“. This 20 minute film tells the story of Sue’s family business which has been in continuous operation since 1898. It is a historic look at a manufacturing process that has stood the test of time while creating products for movie sets, Disney World, casinos, celebrity homes and historic preservation projects worldwide.

Sue’s fourth film “One” a feature documentary premiered in July of 2014. One is a film about global humanity with regards to our individual significance and impact within it. The film has been submitted to film festivals around the world. It has won a 2014 Telly Award and is on the film festival circuit. A companion book, After the Question has been written by her daughter Tracy and illustrated by her other daughter Katy. It is currently available on Amazon and Kindle, both in hard copy and digital download. In addition to that a bronze statue was commissioned named “Humanity” created by artist Maidy Morhous. A video called “The Making of Humanity” narrates that journey.

Most recently Sue created Team XX, an all female team of filmmakers. Team XX was the first ever all female team to enter the 48 hour San Diego film project. A team of 25 women created the film “Down Stage“. It has been nominated for a San Diego film award and won a 2016 Telly award.

Sue’s short narrative film “Absent” was made in late 2014. Within 120 days we took the vision of Sariann Monaco from script to screen. It had its world premiere in San Diego and won 1st place in the Audience Choice Awards. The film was also nominated for three awards at the San Diego film festival and won a 2015 Telly Award.

Recently produced was the “My Power of One“ web series Pilot using many of the A-list actors in San Diego. Two episodes were shot in the Spring/Summer of 2015. www.facebook.com/MyPowerof1 has all the updates. www.mypowerofone.com will stream the series.

“Women Documentary Filmmakers” is a web site Sue created for the visibility of women documentary filmmakers from around the world.

Learn more about Sue - www.suevicory.com