Conversations with Sue Vicory

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Vicory.

Hi Sue, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.

I went to film school in New York City at 48 years old. 21 years later, I’m still making content. I’ve been to the Emmy Awards 4 times and have spoken on and moderated panels during the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. It’s been a wild adventure.

Here is my bio:
Three-time Emmy-nominated and SIX-time Telly Award-winning filmmaker Sue Vicory was born in DeKalb, Illinois, and grew up in the Midwest. Sue married Jay, her college sweetheart, in 1978. They raised 2 daughters, Tracy and Katy, who are married and have one grandson, Miles. Sue began working at her family’s business, W.F. Norman Corp. in Nevada, Missouri, in 1987, where she is currently co-owner and VP of the 125-year-old corporation. She received an undergraduate degree from Washburn University and 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, especially if it involves water. Sue and her husband live on a Midwest farm, complete with a small vineyard.

On a whim, Sue signed up to film school in 2002 at the New York Film Academy. She learned to make a 3 minute, non-dialogue 16mm film in one week. The Anniversary Dinner was her debut film. 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 titled “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 throughout 15 cities across the U.S. The film screened from coast to coast as Sue spoke to dozens of groups about the experience of meeting those who were homeless. Sue screened her film at a luncheon for Steve Lopez (The Soloist) and won an emerging filmmaker grant in Los Angeles 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. Sue had original music created for the film by R&B group Bloodstone, and the Hall of Fame KC Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery narrated the film and attended the premiere.

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 the students. She went on to create food and coat drives at her family business, engaging local businesses to join in. Sue’s next film took 5 years to create and finish. The feature historical documentary, “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future,” debuted as a sneak peek 2010 at the historic Gem Theater on 18th & Vine in Kansas City, with Marilyn Maye headlining the VIP red carpet event. The film’s full release was in 2011, as it aired on KCPT & KTWU.

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

Sue’s fourth film, “One,” a feature documentary, premiered in July 2014. One is a film about global humanity exploring our significance and impact within it. The film was submitted to film festivals around the world. It won a 2014 Telly Award after being on the film festival circuit—a companion book, After the Question, has been written and illustrated by her daughters Tracy and Katy. In addition, a bronze statue was commissioned named “Humanity,” created by Del Mar sculptress Maidy Morhous. This video, “The Making of Humanity,” narrates their journey. The statue was donated and installed at J Street Overlook in Encinitas, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

In 2015, Sue created Team XX, an all-female team of filmmakers. Team XX was the first all-female team to enter the 48-hour San Diego film project. A team of 25 female cast and crew members created the film “Down Stage.” It was nominated for a San Diego film award and won a 2016 Telly award. Sue’s short narrative film “Absent” was completed in 2014. It premised in San Diego and won 1st place in the Audience Choice Awards. The film was nominated for three San Diego Film Festival awards and won a 2015 Telly Award. Next up, Sue directed and produced 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. Sue directed and produced an 8-part series titled “Finding Freedom Within.”

In 2016, Sue traveled with her husband and golden retriever Kacy on a 12-month tour throughout 48 states in a brand-wrapped RV called “My Power of One 12 Acts of Kindness.” They raised thousands of dollars for a dozen community-based organizations assembling Acts of Kindness in all four corners of the United States. During the summer of 2017, Sue worked as an Associate Producer on a reality show, “Win Place Show,” shot in Del Mar, CA. 10 episodes of Season 1 aired on TVG and TVG1. In 2018, Sue was a panelist during the Sundance Film Festival, representing women filmmakers. She then headed to the Cannes Film Festival in France to speak on a panel. Sue attended a Pre-Oscar event for women & diversity as a VIP guest. In 2019, Sue moderated the Indie Film Showcase at Sundance Film Festival and co-produced a reality show titled “Miracle Mob.” She also Executive Produced the award-winning Jump Start a Life, a 12-hour Telethon that raised $15,000 for someone in their community. Her Production team won the San Diego Trailblazer Award for successful production. In 2021, Sue completed a feature documentary film, “Original Jayhawker.” The film premised on October 23, 2021, raised over $30,000 for a local splash park at the premiere, was nominated for an Emmy, and won a 2022 Telly award. Sue has been a judge for both the Regional and National Emmys. She is a member of the Alliance of Women Directors based in LA. She sits on the Board of Advisors for the San Diego Film Consortium.

In the fall of 2020, Sue moderated an all-female panel during the French Riviera Film Festival. She received an Industry Excellence Award at the Festivals’s awards ceremony. Sue Co-Directed and Executive Produced a narrative film, “Panic at Parq,” which premiered on October 21, 2020, on KOCT, airing for 10 days straight. Sue’s production company, Heartland Films, Inc., Executive Produced the San Diego Film Awards, which aired on KPBS in May 2021. She presented the My Power of One and Best Child Actors awards. This production garnered three Emmy award nominations, winning one of them. Sue received a Lifetime Achievement award from Washburn University, her alma mater. The San Diego Film Awards have named the Women in Film Award the “Sue Vicory Women in Film Award.”

Sue Co-Produced her first Music Video for Nashville Recording Artist Blane Howard. His song “Built to Last” is featured in her film Original Jayhawker, which has won a 2022 Telly Award. Original Jayhawker will air on KTWU in 2022 and KC PBS. Sue Co-Produced another music video, “Jane,” written and sung by Stephanie Quayle, which won Best Music Video at the French Riviera Film Festival. The song was written for She, with Heartland Films, Inc. being the Executive Producer. In 2022, Sue began work on a Podcast featuring 12 individuals from around the county. The Wizard of One is available on all Podcast platforms, and a link will be available here.

In March of 2022, Sue moderated an all-female panel of filmmakers in Santa Monica the weekend of the Academy Awards. Press release here. She presented Dee Wallace with a Women of Influence award on the red carpet reception. In April 2022, Sue moderated a panel of all-women filmmakers for the WiFi film festival. Sue attended the Emmy Awards in Rancho Mirage, California, in June. Sue’s film Original Jayhawker was nominated for a Regional Emmy award. Sue & screenwriter Angela Holt attended the Awards ceremony on October 29th. Sue moderated an all-female panel of filmmakers at the 2023 WiFi Film Festival in April. Heartland Films, Inc. has it’s 3rd Emmy nomination as Producer/Executive Producer of the San Diego Film Awards. The ceremony takes place in Rancho Mirage on June 17th. A new book has begun titled “Five Miracles.”

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes, the road has been incredibly smooth. We moved from KC to San Diego, and I recreated my talent teams there and made multiple films while living there. I Executive Produce the San Diego Film Awards still to this day. We then moved back to our farm south of Kansas City and recreated my talent teams. I have made 2 films and 3 music videos in the past few years.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I also co-own a 125-year-old family business and have been on the payroll for 36 years, www.wfnorman.com. I created Heartland Films, Inc. in 2003. It’s a 501c3 – I have directed, produced, and written dozens of projects, www.suevicory.com. I created a lifestyle brand, My Power of One, and we embarked on a 48-state tour in 2016 called “My Power of One 48 State Tour – 12 Acts of Kindness.” We accomplished 12 random acts of kindness in all 4 corners of the US, www.mypowerofone.com.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
I bought a camera, learned how to turn it on, picked a topic, and started. My first film took me 3 years to make. It was a mere 10 minutes. That film, “Homelessness & Then Power of One’ premiered to standing room only and raised $200,000 for shelters. It’s a magical journey. Learning, learning, learning is the key. If a person has a vision, the best advice is to roll the dice and start taking baby steps while continuing until the vision becomes your reality. Repeat those steps with each vision that shows up throughout your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.suevicory.com
• Instagram: @susanpvicory
• Facebook: @susan.vicory
• Youtube: @suevicory
• Other: www.mypowerofone.com