THE SHORT STORY
NICOLE SMOLEN is a writer with a background in visual arts.
Growing up, she always carried a book everywhere. Reading and inventing stories weren’t simply pastimes. They became a central part of her identity, ultimately shaping future career paths.
What started as a passion for performing led to a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Since graduating, she has experimented with a wide variety of roles in the entertainment industry—ranging from production assistant and coordinator to casting director. Her focus later shifted to producing thought-provoking, independent films with heart.
In recent years, she returned to her southern roots and founded Smolder®, a creative studio specializing in design and illustration. When she’s not telling brand stories, you can find her exploring museums, hiking forest trails, baking sourdough loaves, or escaping to fantastical realms. (This looks like Nicole frantically typing away at the keyboard while her beloved feline companions—Thelma and Louise—silently judge her exorbitant caffeine intake.)
THE LONG STORY
Originally from Georgia, NICOLE SMOLEN was raised in California and studied in London before earning a degree in Cinema and Television Arts at CSUN, where she won the Movie Magic Scholarship and the prestigious 2019 Wolfson Scholar Award.
In addition to top-tier commercials and music videos, she has produced several award-winning films since graduation. Many of her projects debuted at acclaimed festivals (e.g., Palm Springs International Film Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Cannes Short Film Corner).
Under Verve Casting, she spent years discovering the right performers for commercials, print campaigns, music videos, and a wide range of theatrical projects. In 2022, she cast 150+ performers in the 8-episode revival of the cult classic, BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION, hosted by Jonathan Frakes—also associate-producing season 5 and writing an original story for the premiere!
Besides being certified in AVID Media Composer, she specializes in Movie Magic Budgeting/Scheduling, Final Cut Pro, Google Drive, and the Adobe Suite. Her background in production, photography, and design inspired the launch of the creative studio, Smolder®.
Through the years, Nicole has been an avid reader and writer, devoting every spare moment to drafting short stories and novels. To learn and grow alongside other storytellers, she established Inkfound Society, a writing community dedicated to fostering meaningful connections while examining tools, techniques, resources, and inspirational pioneers. Nicole is currently working on her debut fantasy series and looks forward to sharing tales—both large and small—for many years to come.
