Age is not a barrier to achieving a dream

Veronica Goldyn, left, and Janelle Gregory talk with documentary filmmaker Sue Quitno Vicory, right, at Cottey College.Photo by Gloria Tucker/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

Having raised two daughters, Sue Quitno Vicory, 48, wondered what she wanted to do and be next.

"I decided to go to film school in New York City, and then bought a camera," Vicory said.

Three years later, her documentary film "Homelessness and the Power of One" premiered.

"I traveled to 15 different cities from Harlem to Skid Row, L.A.," she said. "It was a very transformational experience for me. I had no knowledge or relationships with homeless people before I started. When I sat under bridges or in shelters and heard their stories, I saw humanity in their eyes."

Growing up in the Midwest, Vicory's family moved to Nevada in 1978 when her father purchased W.F. Norman Corp.

"I was getting married at the time, and I came to work in the W.F. Norman office for 25 years," she said.

After "Homelessness and the Power of One" raised more than $30,000 for homeless service agencies, Vicory worked on her next film, "Kansas City Jazz and Blues: Past, Present and Future."

"It took five years to make," Vicory said. "It ended up on PBS. That raised money for music programs in schools in Kansas City."

Her third film, "1898: The W.F. Norman Story," features Nevada's historic tin ceiling tile manufacturer.

"I'm now working on a film called 'One,'" she said. "It's about global humanity and the impact one individual can have. I recently traveled to South Africa for interviews."

Vicory said the goal of all her films are to be a catalyst for change.

"My goal is to inspire others to make positive change in the world. All of us are significant in our community and in the world," she said.

She added she believes when it comes to reaching dreams, age doesn't matter. "I'm 59," she said. "You can walk into your dreams at any stage in your life."

She said she enjoys the creative process of filmmaking as well as visiting different places and befriending different people.

"I love the creative aspect, but I do have to have business savvy," she said. "I tell people, filmmaking is like running a small business. There is a lot of project management and you have to wear a lot of hats. You have to build an audience. It's very labor intensive."

Vicory returned to Nevada to showcase her work at Cottey College on Oct. 1 and 2.

"I want to parley my film knowledge to other women," she said. "I hope to join women filmmakers around the world together."