Guest: Nicola Rose—an accomplished director, producer, and writer—to discuss her new feature film Magnetosphere.
The film follows 13-year-old Maggie as she navigates her first crush, a big family move, and her unique way of experiencing the world through synesthesia, all set against the backdrop of the 1997 Hale-Bopp comet. With a cast that includes Colin Mochrie, Patrick McKenna, Debra McGrath, Tara Strong, Steven He, and breakout star Shayelin Martin, Magnetosphere brings neurodivergence to life in a visually stunning and heartfelt way.
Nicola shares her inspiration for the story, her process of authentically representing synesthesia on screen by interviewing over 70 synesthetes, and the challenges of making an independent film that is both magical and deeply human.
Memorable Quotes
Resources & Links
Watch the Magnetosphere trailer: http://freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/magnetosphere
Stream Magnetosphere now on Amazon Prime & Apple TV
Nicola’s Substack: nicolarosedirects.substack.com
Nicola on Instagram: @nicolarosedirects
Magnetosphere on Instagram: @magnetospheremovie
Magnetosphere on Facebook: Magnetosphere — Movie
Synesthesia - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia
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Chapters
00:00 Exploring Synesthesia: The Inspiration Behind Magnetosphere
11:01 The Significance of 1997: A Nostalgic Backdrop
15:51 Maggie's Emotional Journey: Character Development and Authenticity
20:07 Visual and Auditory Storytelling: Capturing Maggie's World
23:05 Relationships and Understanding: Maggie's Connections
24:52 Synesthesia as a Metaphor: Broader Themes of Connection
25:29 Understanding Neurodiversity and Personal Experiences
28:52 The Impact of Personal Background on Storytelling
32:17 Challenges in Independent Filmmaking
36:17 Audience Reception and Critical Feedback
40:12 Lessons Learned from Making Magnetosphere
41:09 Advice for Aspiring Neurodivergent Creators
45:17 Engagement and Community Building
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