HCU alumni thrive in screenwriting
HCU’s inaugural Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting program, launched in 2020, is already celebrating the success of two alumni who are forging diverse paths in the competitive entertainment industry. Guided by a shared passion for storytelling and a love for the creative arts, here are the stories of their unique journeys.
Micole Williams
What a difference a day makes. For Micole Williams, that day came after a life-threatening bout with COVID brought greater clarity to the phrase, “Time is of the essence.” Her years of preparation and training were activated at that moment when at one of the lowest points in her life, she heard God’s voice and obeyed his instruction to transition from a career in teaching, sell her home and move across the country to L.A. to pursue her creative dreams.
There were no lightning bolts, no audible voice but a clear sense that her next step would be one of faith and obedience to that inner voice.
From a young girl, she remembers bringing fictional characters to life on the page. So, it was no surprise when her passion for writing led her to Hightower Media Academy and later to Prairie View A&M University to pursue a degree in Mass Communications. She learned skills that would lead to the production of her first independent film that was screened at Houston’s iconic River Oaks Theater.
“Movies have always moved me, and books were my friends when I was an only-child for 15 years. No matter where I was,, I was immersed in the story,” shares Williams.
Hailing from a line of educators, Williams would honor her family’s legacy and enter the classroom to teach English Language Arts to high schoolers for more than a decade. But in 2019, a long-held desire to enhance her creative skills led her to enroll in the Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) program at, then, Houston Baptist University.
“Many friends and family members who supported my media, books and film projects over the years wondered why I would pursue an MFA in any kind of writing, since they felt I had already gained years of experience. But I knew, if I was accepted, I would make it work for me. I felt it was a God thing — one that you couldn’t explain as much as be obedient to the call,” said Williams, owner of “Will-M-Power” and “Eclectically You Experience” media companies.
The HCU alumna credits the program for deepening her understanding of screenwriting and story structure. Her time in the program also served as a transformative period that enabled her to focus on her passion, develop networking skills and join a community of fellow creatives on their respective journeys.
Sometimes life’s most unexpected detours, when grounded in faith, can result in the most amazing journeys. For Williams, an unanticipated fork in the road became a defining moment that led her to the “City of Angels” where her creative dreams became a reality, opening doors for her writing gift and serving as the impetus for creation of “365 Days in L.A.,” — a self-produced documentary on her first year in the city.
A personal project for Williams, the autobiographical documentary, allowed her to share the highs and lows that encompassed her journey of faith while enhancing her skills and inspiring other creatives to embark on their own journeys.
“I felt a need to document my cross-country move and the wins and losses along the way when going after my TV dreams in Los Angeles,” shared Williams.
The documentary has received acclaim in the independent film industry, garnering: “Best Web Series” by Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival, “Best Documentary” and “Best Director” by Ticfy Film Festival and a Cannes Film Festival Shorts honorable mention, among others. Williams also secured a distribution deal for the documentary on Aspire TV, a cable network owned by Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Navigating the unpredictable entertainment industry in L.A., where there is no roadmap for success, required extensive networking that opened the door to behind-the-scenes roles for Williams on the reality TV show, “Big Brother” and “Unsung,” a documentary TV show highlighting unsung music artists from past decades.
She recently completed production on, “How Do You Hear God?” a feature film documentary, filmed in Houston, that explores the different ways individuals hear from God. Williams continues her commitment to storytelling as she explores faith through conversations with everyday people.
“Nothing is more precious and sacred than a conversation with God. I heard God so very clearly when I endured COVID, and when I moved to L.A. and, also, both projects that came after my MFA,” said Williams.
The documentary, also written and directed by Williams, has enabled her to work with other believers in and out of the film industry, an opportunity she values as a woman of faith.
“I believe that God speaks to us however we receive it, and I think the film is an example of that, one that may help others learn to hear God’s voice in their own lives.”
As Williams has her eyes on the future, she is continuing to hone her craft and is working on several upcoming projects that showcase her passion and love for storytelling.