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juliesimone.biz
BIOGRAPHY
Julie Simone, an Actress, Director, and Writer, is a multi-award-winning filmmaker who directed and co-wrote the 2019 documentary FIDDLIN’. (Amazon Prime, Apple TV, DOC+, Curiosity Stream, Kanopy) The winner of 20+ Awards on the national and international film festival circuits, FIDDLIN’ also qualified for the 2019 Academy Consideration List for Best Documentary Feature.
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Julie grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia where she and her sister Vicki filmed the celebrated documentary. Julie spent childhood summers fishing, swimming and riding bikes on country roads. She drove tractors on the farm and helped her dad in the family store. Though growing up on the farm had its perks, Julie had aspirations from a young age of seeing the world and getting involved in the Film/TV business. Going to the movies and getting regular doses of “Green Acres”, “I Dream of Jeannie”, “The Beverly Hillbillies” etc. spurred Julie on to aspirations beyond her hometown.
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After attending the University of South Carolina, Julie moved to NYC and never looked back. She studied acting at HB Studios, modeled, and like many aspiring actors before her worked nights at the restaurant on top of the World Trade Center.
Though Julie was being cast in commercials and rock videos, her first theatrical agent insisted she also study diction to lose her southern accent which was limiting.Toning down her accent became key for more speaking roles in film and television but Julie still enjoys doing roles with her natural accent when the occasion presents itself.
Eventually moving to Los Angeles, Julie continued acting while doing improvisation and sketch writing with the Groundlings. She also studied acting with Candy Herman and Harry Mastrogeorge. After joining an LA Filmmaking Group, Julie began taking on a multitude of roles behind the camera as well as in front of it.
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From this creative inspiration, Julie found herself behind the camera directing the comedy “Cannes Without A Plan”, a reality film about three divorcees (including herself) spontaneously taking off to the Cannes Film Festival. Deciding to shoot the film was as impromptu as the trip itself. With no crew, Julie used only her handheld camera to film the rollicking romp.
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After a hiatus of rearing two kids, Julie returned to direct the music documentary FIDDLIN’. With her kids now in college, Julie has resumed acting while also developing and writing projects with Calamity J Productions and Gasp Studios. Julie is excited to be creating again, lives in Los Angeles, and will always be a southern gal at heart.