Artists in Residence: Nicole Yagdulas
Driven by a deep curiosity about the self, Nicole Yagdulas is a creative producer and filmmaker devoted to capturing the small, authentic moments that make us who we are. At her core is a belief in collaboration — weaving together individual perspectives, visceral imagery, and intentional storytelling to reflect the complexity of human identity. When she's not behind the lens, Nicole is on the floor at Incu Chatswood — but this season, we turn inwards, celebrating the talent that exists within our own walls.
In collaboration with adidas Originals, Nicole steps forward as one of Incu's very own Originals, bringing her short film Out of Bounds into our store space. She shares what drew her to film as her primary voice, the ecosystem of creativity that shapes her process, and why she believes we are always more than any single version of ourselves.
Head into Incu Galeries from Thursday July 16th - Wednesday July 29th to explore Nicole’s short film.
TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU’VE CREATED
We are more than what we do.
We are more than what we feel.
We are more than what we like and also, dislike.
We are in all the little things that make us unique.
We are out of bounds.
The concept of the self and its many variations is an interesting theme that I think we all constantly question throughout the different phases of our lives. We see our interests, tastes and perspectives change and evolve, and I also think it’s incredibly important to allow ourselves to be open and curious in the process. To not limit ourselves to a particular version of the self. We experience this individually, and we also share this ‘becoming’ with every other person. In saying that - we are still our own, yet, simultaneously, we are also each other.
I engaged people within my community to be both in front and behind the camera for this film. This film is a visual reflection of the small moments that contribute to our complexities and who we are as humans. I wanted to capture vignettes of people in their element - doing things that made them feel real, authentic and connected to themselves, at this current time of their lives. I engaged in a collaborative process with the individuals featured in this film in order to illuminate real perspectives and worked with an amazing and dedicated crew to make it happen.
EVERY ARTIST HAS A 'SPARK' MOMENT. LOOKING AT YOUR ROOTS AND IDENTITY, WHAT WAS THE SPECIFIC CATALYST—A MEMORY, A SUBCULTURE, OR A PERSON—THAT DREW YOU TO DRAWING AS YOUR PRIMARY VOICE?
I feel like my ‘spark’ moment has been a series of sparks throughout my life that have contributed to my creative practice today.
I’ve always had a strong sense of self and I have my parents to thank for that. They’ve instilled it in me ever since I was young and given me the freedom and encouragement to explore my interests - which was most of the time creativity in all its differing forms. Watercolour painting, dancing, charcoal drawing, video editing, photoshopping, graphic designing then creative directing and producing. I’ve dabbled in so many different types that I think each one definitely has informed its precedent in one way or another.
My experience being a Filipina woman also contributes to that gradual spark. There have been moments in my life that have made me feel like I didn’t belong in certain spaces, that I was doing too much, that I was not enough - it is an overwhelming series of feelings, yet creating is ultimately a responsibility I feel I hold to those around me, who are like me.
One of the most important projects I’ve made to date was my university major work Phases which was a digital publication containing interviews I conducted with Women of Colour within the Sydney creative circles. That process of sharing experiences through conversation has definitely informed my creative practice today.
If we’re talking about what drew me to directing and producing specifically - I’d say opportunity and being curious. For that Phases project I reached out to a creative producer, Ada, to be my mentor and she offered me an internship with her. This later led to me working with various production agencies, collectives and individuals - from either call-outs or just simply reaching out. I found other creatives that are also now my good friends to work on projects together. Just people with similar interests and values creating. So my community has definitely made that spark as bright as it is.
Other sparks include Virgil Abloh’s approach to creative work, Solange’s introspection throughout her discography and career, the world-building of Spirited Away and the sour taste of Sinigang.
HOW DOES THE PHYSICAL NATURE OF YOUR MEDIUM DICTATE THE STORY YOU’RE TRYING TO TELL?
I think film is one of the greatest mediums to get people to meditate over a certain idea or concept. Combining striking imagery, intentional cuts, visceral sound - directing a film is a vehicle to focus the audience's attention to a certain perspective, in a certain way you envision in your mind.
Since this film is about people - conversation, empathy and collaboration were important in producing this film. I talked the concept over with both my crew and talent, in terms of what I wanted to show and how I wanted to bring it to life visually. The whole process of creating this film worked as an ecosystem. Working with my talent to flesh out how to best present them in the film, working with my assistant director to work out the best locations to shoot, working with my DOP to decide on how best to frame a certain shot etc. Creativity is pushed to its fullest potential through collaboration, and the cross pollination of perspectives and experience.
WHERE DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION WHEN YOU AREN’T LOOKING AT ART?
Everything is art to me! I’m constantly creatively informed by my everyday surroundings and interactions. I’m always taking photos, recording sounds and documenting thoughts and ideas in my notebooks. I like to think of my creative practice as inherently intuitive, so I'm constantly drawing from things I naturally encounter day-to-day. I also believe that everything happens for a reason - and that reason is to create a sense of purpose out of what you’ve uniquely and individually experienced.
You can see a lot of myself in the film, even though you don’t see my face. My favourite beach, Redleaf beach, was the shoot location for Tia’s scenes. The grounded-ness of Christiana's scenes were inspired by my need for a safe space in life’s constant buzzing. Justin’s family scene of sharing a meal of Adobo is the same tradition I share with my own family. Malcolm’s drive to create music shows the importance of pouring into our passions. Jasmin’s interdisciplinary way of living - being a soccer player and dancer, while her day job is an occupational therapist. I am them, and they are me!
WHAT CONVERSATION DO YOU HOPE YOUR ART SPARKS FOR THE PEOPLE VIEWING IT?
I hope it sparks introspective conversations within themselves and the people around them. I hope it invites people to appreciate the little things that make them unique. I hope it reminds them that they are in this film, too.
Featuring NICOLE YAGDULAS
Location ARTIFICER COFFEE, SURRY HILLS
FILM CREDITS
Creative Director & Producer NICOLE YAGDULAS
1st AD SIMON RIEL
DOP KOTA SATO
AC (Day 1) LUKE O'DONNELL
AC (Day 3) RALPH VILLEGAS
Gaffer WILL BUSH
BTS Photographer JUSTIN CUENO
PA (Day 3) TAMARA MONTINA
Editor NICOLE YAGDULAS
Grade KOTA SATO
Sound Design JOSHUA HUYNH
Talent JASMIN LI, JUSTIN CUENO, MALCOM LIM, TIA SEBASTIAN, CHRISTIANA MOOY
Special thanks to MELANIE OR, KILN STUDIOS & the Cueno family.
