Lindsay Nyman
Lindsay Nyman is an American writer, director, producer and teacher.[1][2] Based in both Los Angeles and Berlin, she is an outspoken advocate for "disability visibility in the arts" and her films focus on "stories of resilience, identity, and women’s empowerment."[3][2] Nyman founded Film By The Blind, an initiative part of ArtsUP! Studios in Los Angeles, which celebrates and produces the creative works of blind actors.[2][4][5]
Early life and education
Originally from Long Island, Nyman began as a child actor and signed with Carson-Adler.[6] In her teen years, Nyman was in a girl-group Huckapoo, using the stage name "Joey Thunders".[6] She then studied at UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and began to pursue a career in acting, writing and producing.[2] In her senior year at UCLA, she began volunteering for ArtsUP!, formerly CRE Outreach, as an assistant director and continued on to develop her own program.[6][4]
Career
Theatre
Nyman began volunteering with the theatre troupe Theatre by the Blind in the early 2010s. In 2014, Nyman directed the play Sit for the company.[7]
Film By The Blind
Film By The Blind is an educational film program founded by Nyman, composed entirely of blind and visually impaired acting students.[4] The program is designed to encourage and facilitate blind students becoming autonomous filmmakers by creating a supportive environment and teaching "the technical, physical and emotional strategies needed for film acting."[4] This includes learning a range of practical skills like "on-camera acting techniques in relaxation, concentration, sense memory, emotional recall and improvisation."[4] The course also incorporates visits from industry professionals to prepare students for working within their selected sectors of interest.[4] In interview, Nyman said; "No matter what I do in my career, I will always be working in some capacity with blind actors [...] it's my home base."[6]
The Blind Center (2017)
In 2017, Nyman wrote and produced her debut short film "The Blind Center" alongside director Tim Cruz.[1] The film is an autobiographical mockumentary comedy based on Nyman's real experiences working with blind actors.[8]
Nyman initially worried that the project was too "risky" to produce, due to the blend of "irreverent" comedy and commentary on the lives of blind people.[6] Her students, however, encouraged her to complete the project as they observed that "the trepidation of sighted people leads to inaction in engaging with the blind community."[6] In this way, Nyman suggests, by making a lighthearted comedy about blind people, it starts a conversation, "allows people to laugh, [...] breaks barriers" and bridges a gap between sighted and blind individuals.[6]
They Call Me The Tattoo Witch (2024)
Nyman's directorial debut They Call Me The Tattoo Witch is a documentary short-film following Vietnamese tattoo artist Tran Ngoc who specialises in the delicate art of tattooing over scars. The film was shot in Hanoi with Nyman's all female cast and crew and focuses primarily on healing and empowerment, discussing the impact of women reclaiming their bodies through tattoos, especially after facing trauma or illness.[9][10] The film has screened at "over 40 international film festivals,"[11] with a theatrical run throughout 2025. Nyman hopes to eventually be able to distribute the film more widely to the public.[10]
Awards and nominations
The Blind Centre
- Grand Jury Prize, Film Invasion Los Angeles 2017[1]
They Call Me The Tattoo Witch
- Best Short Documentary – Carmarthen Bay Film Festival (BAFTA-Qualifying)[11]
- Best Short Documentary – Imagine This Women’s Film Festival[11]
- Best Impactful Story – Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin[11]
- Nominated for Excellence in Short Filmmaking – Narrative & Documentary at Asian American International Film Festival.[12]
- Best Short Film Documentary, Sherman Oaks Film Festival.[13]
- Best Documentary Short, Round Top Film Festival[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "55. Tim Cruz "The Blind Center"". DISCOVER INDIE FILM. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Lindsay Nyman". Rocky Mountain Women's Film. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ "Lindsay Nyman". The Video Consortium. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "ArtsUP! Studios". ArtsUP! LA. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ↑ ArtsUP! LA Channel (2023-05-22). ArtsUP! Studios presents Film by the Blind. Retrieved 2025-11-27 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Episode 57: Lindsay Nyman, retrieved 2025-11-23
- ↑ Gagnier, Robert; journalist, ContributorLos Angeles-based (2014-02-25). "Q&A With "SIT" Writer-Director Lindsay Nyman". HuffPost. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ↑ The Blind Center, Loves You, 2017-01-01, retrieved 2025-11-27
- ↑ "They Call Me The Tattoo Witch". www.aaiff.org. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Discover Indie Film Foundation (2025-08-18). 573. Lindsay Nyman “They Call Me The Tattoo Witch”. Retrieved 2025-11-27 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "The Tattoo Witch - Lindsay Nyman". Leading Woman Films. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ↑ "AAIFF48 Jurors and Awards". www.aaiff.org. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ↑ "2024 Awards". Sherman Oaks Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ Hathaway, Haven. "Round Top Film Festival 2025 Winners Announced". Modern Luxury. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
External links
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