Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Peplinski. Nicole is an Italian American Actress, Writer, Producer and Host. Nicole is known for Scrap (2022), General Hospital (1963) and The Downside of Bliss.
Nicole, can you tell us a bit about your short film LA Medical?
LA Medical is a medical drama centered on doctors and hospital workers balancing their personal and professional lives. It stars myself and Michael Sun Lee. You’ve seen Michael in so much, including but not limited to CSI: Vegas, NCIS: New Orleans, Disney’s Moana, Fuller House, Hawaii Five-O, General Hospital, NCIS: Los Angeles, Days of Our Lives, and so much more. He’s so talented and a close friend, so we had a great time on set.
I play Dr. Porter, a dedicated doctor who has endometriosis. She fought relentlessly hard to save her ability to have kids and yet lost the battle. She also lost a lot of time for her career and personal life and is deeply feeling the pain. Then she operates on a young girl who was badly abused. She saves her life, and as she walks out of the OR, ready to share the great news with the child’s parents, she realizes she can’t, as they are the ones that put her there. As she tries to digest this harsh reality, Dr. Lee (played by Michael Sun Lee) walks in to congratulate her on the successful big surgery. His crush on her is obvious to many but not to her. As he sees the pain in her eyes, he pulls her back into the game by asking her to scrub in to assist him in operating on a holocaust survivor.
LA Medical has been hitting the film festival route; how has that been going?
We are all so excited. It has been riveting! We’ve won seven film festivals, and I’ve been asked to speak at the next one as we are nominated there too. Film Festivals are so much fun. You get to see everyone’s work and mingle with other talented up-and-coming filmmakers. There’s such great energy at festivals. You never know; you might find someone to hire for your next project or get hired.
What do you hope to accomplish with the LA Medical short film?
I learn on the job. I created LA Medical initially as a learning tool. If I want to be a filmmaker, starting with short films is the right way to go. Not only do you learn the details involved in the filmmaking process, but it also gives you insight as an actor and helps you find your team. You need a great team to create the projects you want. It takes a moment to find an editor, cinematographer, etc., that you work well with. There are so many components involved in making a film, and talented, reliable professionals are a must. What I wanted to accomplish with LA Medical was finding some of my team for my production company, insight as an actor, and experience in filmmaking. I hadn’t anticipated it being nominated and winning in so many film festivals. It’s such an honor.
How are you balancing working along with submitting to film festivals?
I’m a CEO of a small telecom company, a working actress (taking weekly acting classes, five nights a week scene study plus auditioning), and a filmmaker now attending film festivals. It’s a lot. My schedule is stacked. My organizer is always by my side, and my phone is updated with all meetings and sends me reminders throughout the day. It’s really important I add self-care to my schedule daily.
My puppy turns two next month. She’s such a joy in my life. I love walking her and snuggling with her. I’m so grateful for her. It’s my first time having a pet, and I can’t believe all that she adds to my life. Animals and volunteer work give life such energetic shifts. I also volunteer at Optimist Youth. I work with girls 11-18 between foster care homes, and at any given time, at least 40% have also been trafficked. They’re dealing with such layered trauma. No matter how busy my day may be, I always walk out of there with a new perspective. I can do this. No matter how tough, it’s nothing compared to what these children are walking through. It reframes everything.
What is a typical day like for you?
I start and end my day with my gratitude list. I wake up and review my gratitude list and do my quiet time routine. Then I walk my dog and start my day. I run a full business day, and if I have an audition, I schedule that in as I do for a meeting. I exercise either in the morning or evening, depending on my schedule. Then walk my dog again. Next, I have dinner and go on Zoom for my scene study with my partner from acting class. Several nights a week, I take a bath at night and review my gratitude list again there. I fall asleep watching tv or a movie and reading. On the weekends, I do brunch or dinner with friends. Twice a month, I volunteer at Optimist Youth, which is so rewarding.
What is your top focus in your career?
My top focus is being ready for all the opportunities that come to me. I have a weekly acting class (along with five nights a week of rehearsal); training is so important. I send out quarterly updates to a list of casting directors I’ve known for years and communicate with my agent at least weekly. I update headshots normally twice a year. I study different tv shows, movies, producers, writers, and even what projects casting directors are working on. There are many working parts to being an actor. Focusing on my skills and training is most important to me.
Do you have a motto or mantra you apply to work, life, or both?
I have several saved in a journal. Here are a few:
“Stop trying to make things work that don’t work.”
“Your word is your wand. The words you speak create your own destiny.”
“If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
“When you feel resentment, ask yourself; Who am I not setting limits with?:
“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.”
“Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.”
“What if life were happening for you and not to you.”
Tell us about what new projects you have coming up.
I booked a movie for BET TV Network. I fly out on Tuesday. I booked the role, and the role ended up getting cut. As I gasped, casting quickly finished by saying don’t worry, the director likes you and said, let’s give her an even bigger role! I can’t tell you how thankful I am! I’ll be able to share more details soon. Some behind-the-scenes pics will be coming through on my social media too.
Do you have any advice for people going into this industry?
People considering getting into acting should focus on stability. This is a lifelong career and has lots of ups and downs. Finding or creating a job that provides financial stability is important.
Taking care of your health is key; without it, you end up losing most parts of your life. Take the time to audit different acting coaches. There are so many good ones out there. Audit some of the top-ranked coaches and see who resonates for you. It took years for me to find my acting studio home. There were lots of great classes, and I learned a lot, but when I started at my current acting studio, I felt like it was home. Also, take time to do the inner work. You’re worth it.
Find Nicole online at…
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2624734/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolepep0503/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicolePeplinski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicolePep0503/
