Filmmaker Feature: Niki Sterner
Name: Niki Sterner
Discipline: Actor/Director/Producer/Writer/Comedian
Production Company: Sterner Enterprises, LLC
Film: Sweet Body
Logline: Can an over-the-top, beauty-obsessed mom host her daughter’s 18th birthday party, without sabotaging their relationship?
Cinema Life Festival(s): Atlanta Comedy Film Festival 2024
City you’re based in: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Short Bio: Niki Sterner is an Actor, Writer, Comedian, Producer, and Creator of the Bigger Life Community, a space empowering creatives to stop playing small and take bold action toward their bigger dreams. She recently debuted her award-winning short film, Sweet Body, and is passionate about helping others step into their power. Niki is currently writing The Confidence Shortcut, a three-step approach to helping performers conquer fear and step into the spotlight—whether that’s on stage or screen. She is also developing the Courage Conversations podcast, launching in 2025, to share tools and takeaways to live the life you were meant for.
Website: https://nikisterner.myflodesk.com/sweetbody
Social Media Links: IG @nikisterner
Favorite Quote: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
Interests/ Hobbies: Dancing, Lifting weights, Singing, Riding motorcycles, Snorkeling, Traveling, Reading Self-help books, Listening to Podcasts, Visiting Family and Friends, Healthy Living and Cooking, Spending time with my hubs and 3 kids.
How did you get started in the Film Industry?
I started taking acting classes over a decade ago. I had some luck in the first 5 years with booking short films and more than 20 commercials, a couple of them national (Wayfair and Edible Arrangements). After COVID, I graduated from a 2 year Meisner Conservatory Program in LA. I took a Stand Up Comedy Class. I felt like I was ready to take off. But all I heard was silence. Crickets. I second guessed myself and all of the time and money spent on my career. Was it for nothing? Was I past my prime? Deep down, I knew I wasn’t. So I decided to pivot. To stop waiting for other people to choose me. I chose myself. I had no clue why I was doing it, but I got into filmmaking. I found a mentor in LA. I took several screenwriting classes while feeling clueless about how to write. It had been my worst subject in school, yet I continued to put my fingers to the keys, as painful as it was. I took sketch writing, short film writing, and 3 TV Pilot courses. Somewhere along the way, I found my script for Sweet Body. I hired my improv team as the characters in the film. They were perfect. I found a talented cinematographer that was affordable and rented out the equipment he used to film. He knew a 1st AC and Gaffer. I found a sound person, and an incredible female 1st AD, who ended up Co-directing Sweet Body with me on the day of the shoot, and bringing so much experience to the set. I hired my headshot photographer as the stills and behind the scenes photographer. The set decorator was a friend from a film set who surprised me with her beautiful art. Things fell into place, and at the end of the day of filming, I said, “That was like a dream come true.” I showed my mom and sister the rough cut that our talented editor had done, and when they gut laughed during parts of it, I knew it was worth pushing forward. I did a Seed and Spark campaign to raise $8K to cover the film expenses. That was a lesson in promoting myself and my work, which was totally outside of my comfort zone. I had barely made a video on IG at the time, and now I needed to start sharing and asking people to support my campaign? Talk about awkward. I did it anyway. We raised the money in 30 days. Our editor went above and beyond, our colorist came in at the end to make it pop, and then it was time to submit it to festivals. The scariest part of all. Would anyone accept it? Thankfully, the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival did, and we had the best day ever! Thank you for introducing Sweet Body to the world of creative artists in such a warm and welcoming way!
What are your upcoming and active projects?
I am currently writing The Confidence Shortcut, a three-step approach to helping performers conquer fear and step into the spotlight—whether that’s on stage or screen. I am also developing the Courage Conversations podcast, launching in 2025, to share tools and takeaways to live the life you were meant for. I am putting together more stand up comedy material (in classes) so that I can continue to perform on stage. I’m also training to be a tour guide on the Funny Bus Atlanta, a tour of Atlanta’s most popular landmarks with a comedian as your host. I am getting the itch to make another short film…not sure when I will scratch it, but it’s coming, and my friends in the stand up comedy world that showed up to the ACFF are on board. Maybe at next year’s festival?
What type of stories interest you and why?
I am obsessed with female matriarch and family driven comedies and dramedies, like Schitt’s Creek and The Goldbergs, or Succession and Arrested Development.
What is your genre of choice?
Comedy or Dramedy.
How are you creating a path for yourself in this industry?
I’m carving my own path in the film industry by blending storytelling, comedy, and personal growth. My first short film, Sweet Body, dives into the mother-daughter relationship and how important (and difficult) honest communication is. In my stand-up comedy, I share stories about my missteps—not just to make people laugh, but to help them feel less alone or even avoid the same mistakes. I’m also working on The Confidence Shortcut, a book to help creatives push past fear, and The Courage Conversations podcast, coming in 2025, where I’ll share real stories about living authentically and chasing your dreams.
What inspires you as a storyteller?
As a storyteller, I’m really inspired by the messy, beautiful parts of being human—our growth, our flaws, and our fears. I love seeing people face challenges and push through, whether it’s a small win or something bigger. What really moves me is watching characters feel deeply, struggle, and still find a way to love and support each other through tough times. And I can’t forget the humor—there’s something so real about family and friends poking fun at each other, reminding us that, no matter what, we’re all in this together.
How do you prep for a film, from writing to being on set?
To prep for my film, I took classes so I could hear my writing read out loud by actors and get feedback, which helped fine-tune the script. I had a couple of more experienced friends look it over as well. I then hired my cast and crew, rented the equipment, and shopped for decorations and props. I used my own house as a film location and picked out the wardrobe. I did a photo shoot in my character’s costume, with my headshot photographer to help get into character, which also gave me great promo shots. The week before shooting, I organized food, sent out emails, and wrote up contracts with the help of my 1st AD. The day before shooting, I met with the cinematographer and 1st AD to go over the shot list. The set decorator and I decorated the house the day before filming.
What is the first thing you do when you get a script?
The first thing I do when I get a script is read it through twice. The first read helps me gauge if any of the characters resonate with me. I pay attention to whether my emotions are invested and if the story aligns with my beliefs. If my initial reaction is a no, I read it again to see if it’s my fears holding me back or if it’s a true misalignment with my values. If it’s challenging me as an actor, then I know it’s a project I should say yes to.
What are a few lessons you’ve learned from your recent project(s)?
1. The project is the classroom. Just start and let it be bad before it’s good. The first attempt is often messy—like the first pancake that’s usually lumpy.
2. It’s all about failing fast, frequently, and forward. Each misstep is a chance to learn and improve.
3. If you’re afraid, you’re probably on the right path. Let fear be your guide.
What practical tips do you have for indie filmmakers (budgeting, marketing, directing)?
For indie filmmakers, my practical tips would be to keep your script simple—aim for 1-2 locations and 5 or fewer characters if possible. This will help keep production manageable on a budget. Draw inspiration from something in your life—whether it’s a relationship, an event, or a personal experience—and weave that into your story. Also, document your journey! Take lots of behind-the-scenes photos and share the process with your audience. It builds engagement and gives them a glimpse into the making of your project, which can help with marketing down the road.
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