What if the way you experience the world could become the foundation of a story?
In this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul Cruz sits down with filmmaker Nicola Rose, director, producer, and writer of the feature film Magnetosphere.
The film follows 13-year-old Maggie as she navigates her first crush, a family move, and her unique experience of synesthesia, all set against the backdrop of the 1997 Hale-Bopp comet. Through a visually rich and emotionally grounded story, Magnetosphere explores perception, identity, belonging, and what it means to experience the world differently.
Nicola shares the inspiration behind the film, her process for authentically representing synesthesia on screen, and how interviews with more than 70 synesthetes helped shape the story's visual language and emotional truth.
Together, Paul and Nicola discuss creativity, neurodivergence, storytelling, and the importance of listening to lived experience when creating authentic representation.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
• What synesthesia is and how it can be experienced
• The inspiration behind Magnetosphere
• Authentic representation in film and media
• Creativity, perception, and neurodivergence
• The importance of lived experience in storytelling
• Independent filmmaking and creative challenges
• Identity, belonging, and feeling different
• Why kindness matters in creative work
Memorable Quotes
\"The way to be authentic is ask people, 'What did you experience?'—and then bring that truth to screen.\" — Nicola Rose
\"Synesthesia became a metaphor for feeling out of sync, which so many of us experience.\" — Nicola Rose
\"Being kind is the most important lesson filmmaking has taught me.\" — Nicola Rose
About the Film
Magnetosphere stars Shayelin Martin alongside Colin Mochrie, Patrick McKenna, Debra McGrath, Tara Strong, and Steven He.
The film offers a thoughtful and imaginative exploration of synesthesia, adolescence, and self-discovery through a neurodiversity-informed lens.
Resources & Links
Watch the Magnetosphere trailer:
freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/magnetosphere
Stream Magnetosphere on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Nicola Rose's Substack:
nicolarosedirects.substack.com
Instagram:
@nicolarosedirects
Magnetosphere Instagram:
@magnetospheremovie
Facebook:
Magnetosphere — Movie
Learn more about synesthesia:
wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia
Key Takeaway
Authentic stories begin with listening.
When creators take the time to understand lived experience, they create work that helps people feel seen, understood, and connected.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurodiversity, creativity, film, or storytelling.
#Synesthesia #Neurodiversity #Film #Storytelling #Creativity #IndependentFilm #Magnetosphere #NicolaRose #Representation #Neurodivergent #NeurodiversityVoices #Podcast
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