Today we’d like to introduce you to Nile Fortner.
Nile, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Ever since a young age, I have enjoyed writing, reading, creating stories, art, books, films, and overall entertainment. I mainly love these aspects because sometimes they do the things we as a society have yet to completely accomplish. Such as, inspire, teach, encourage, relax, connect with us emotionally and spiritually, they have the power to bring people together, and simply make us feel good.
As I grew older, my love for writing and these aspects turned into a love for the art of writing. I began to examine literature, films, journalism, videos, and more. I started thinking about the writers, styles, themes, and the overall creativity that goes into projects. I tried to get inside their headspace, and discover why they created the art form and story they did.
I became entranced with writing, writing brief movie reviews for family, friends, online, for my school. That experience and passion led me to expand my knowledge by writing features, articles and going beyond just movie reviews. I also enjoy doing local interviews for South Florida’s Independent Streak Magazine, Cinephellas.com, and other local positions. For instance, I had the joy of interviewing a local actor who was cast as an extra on the hit HBO show Ballers. Something more recent, an interview with actress Reine Stewart, who was in the first purely produced South African horror production to get an American released film, ‘The Lullaby’.
Years later, I find myself happier, feeling more comfortable with pitching ideas, writing more features, reviews, networking, and I am currently attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and seeking to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Journalism in order to continue something I’ve loved since a young age.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Recently, I was told by my college newspaper that my work wasn’t good enough for their standards and “I don’t qualify,” even though anyone can participate with the publication and students. On the other hand, my professors, other students, and local publications have enjoyed my work.
Whether it is a review, video, or feature, I have gotten some good feedback. I honestly would have loved to work with the student paper. But I do love how when one door isn’t open, another door is open with opportunities. The opportunity being that I was heavily rejected by the student newspaper, but happily picked up by BocaWatch.org.
Everyone encounters struggles, however, it is how you overcome those struggles. I am proud to admit that things in life haven’t always been easy. Mentally, it makes you a stronger individual.
Tell us more about the business.
I usually specialize and I’m known for feature articles highlighting events and local individuals. I also enjoy doing movie reviews, theatre reviews, and the local entertainment scene. I am proud of all my work, especially my work with Cinephellas.com and BocaWatch.org. Mainly because they believed in me at a time when I didn’t believe in myself and I’ve gone out of my comfort zone with them. For instance, helping with videos, editing, and conducting interviews. I believe I set myself apart from others because I do add a creative writing style to journalism and I pay close attention to detail in whatever I am writing. Such as paying attention to someone’s body language for an interview, using strong imagery when describing a place or people, using the five senses of writing, and reading something as a reader and then going back and reading it as a writer to get a different outlook and perception.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Timing has been a form of luck for me, such as, networking and meeting the right people when I least expect it to happen.
Contact Info:
- Phone: (954)-599-2041
- Email: nilefortne@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nile_fortner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nile.fortner.79
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nile_Fortner
Image Credit:
Independent Streak Magazine (Rachel Galvin’s publication and a photo of local actor Kechler Polycarpe), ComicAttack.net, Cinephellas.com, The Glocal: From Florida to Further Afield (FAU and Illene Prusher), Sawgrass Mills Mall (Metropica Construction), FAU Theatre Lab, and BocaWatch.org
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
