The Interview – Jonathan and Maggie Hickman
Jonathan and Maggie Hickman are a husband-wife duo in Newnan known for doing a wide variety of things, often tied to the film industry. They formed their own production company and have several films and documentaries out, including “The Wonderful Wadsworth,” “Artists Are Welcomed Here,” and “DeadThirsty.”
Briefly describe yourself and what you do.
Maggie: I love wearing hats! My favorite hat is “Mom” then in no particular order, “Artist,” “Producer,” “Director,” ‘Cinematographer,” “Photographer,” and bad spelleEEr!
Jonathan: I practice law. But I also write, direct, and teach, and I do other things.
Best piece of business advice you’ve received.
Maggie: Observe, learn from other’s mistakes Listen to your gut feeling
Jonathan: My father told me once to always check the door to see if it is unlocked before trying the key. There’s a deep meaning there that I think about often.
If I had it to do over …
Maggie: Nothing…Never have regrets
Jonathan: Gosh, there’s too many mistakes I’ve made. One time I shot my old TV show with the microphone not plugged in. We got, well, no sound. So, I check that everything is plugged in all the time these days.
You are going on an extended solo trip. What three albums and three books would you take?
Maggie:
“Maggie’s Top 80’s Anthems” Wham, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Culture Club, Prince, The Clash, Soft Cell, The Cure.”
“The 50 Greatest Pieces of Classical Musical by the London Philharmonic Orchestra
“16 Biggest Hits by Dolly Parton”
Books:
Never take books on a solo trip! Solo trips are to meet people, not to bury heads in books!
Jonathan:
Albums: Does anyone listen to a whole album anymore? I guess anything by Pink Floyd like “Dark Side of the Moon.” Concept albums would be easy, but what about a K-Tel album from the 1980s, one hit wonders? Or probably some Bowie like “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.”
Books: Always “Guns, Germs, and Steel,” Wallace’s “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments,” I’m not a David Foster Wallace guy, but this collection is a good pick it up and put down book. There’s this book on my Amazon list about Herzog called, “Ferocious Reality: Documentary according to Werner Herzog (Visible Evidence).”
Tell us one thing about yourself that few people know
Maggie: I’m the youngest of seven born in Texas raised in England.
Jonathan: When I was younger, my success was largely related to style (mainly as to public speaking). So, I’ve invested a lot in substance as I get older, which has caused me to become frustratingly deliberate. Although patience is still in short supply.
You are hosting a dinner party for six. What five people, living or dead, would you invite and why
Maggie: My first guest would be my Mom : Why? She died 2 days before my first birthday. It would be wonderful to be able to talk, hug and give her a kiss. 2nd Guest: Jesus: : Why. I would love to chat politics over a glass of red… and give him loads of cuddles! 3rd Jack Nicholson… An acting legend… and I think he would do shots with Jesus! 4th. My Grandma Dora Lee. That’s my Mom’s Mom, she died the same age as her 38! They might want to do some catching up! 5th. Bob Hope. Loved watching all the “Road to… “ movies and “The Lemon Drop Kid.” I think my mom and grandma would like to hang out with Bob too! 6th Channing Tatum. Want to make sure those dance moves are for real! O yeah!
Jonathan: Werner Herzog, Benjamin Franklin, Ronald Reagan, Shirley Clarke, and Charlize Theron. Herzog is number one, I’m hooked on him. And I was just was introduced to the filmmaking of Clarke, who’s passed on, but I’d love to pick her brain. And Theron—guilty pleasure, she’s just awesome!
Name an as yet unfulfilled dream
Maggie: Dreams are for sleepers
Jonathan: To write my second novel.
If you weren’t doing what you are, you would be …
Maggie: A bird
Jonathan: NO ANSWER, sorry…
Your go-to food.
Maggie: Pickles, Olives, Brie and Hummus
Jonathan: Homemade pizza—barbecue chicken on naan bread.
Favorite movies(s)
Maggie: The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Tootsie (1982), Carry On Camping (1969)
Jonathan: Too many to count, but I really love “Lawrence of Arabia,” of course; it is so amazing. But as a child who grew up in the Spielberg era, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is such a magical film. I shared it and Kubrick’s “2001” with my daughter before she was 13. Those films are universal.
Dogs or cats?
Maggie: I love both
Jonathan: Dogs, we’ve got two, but I acquired a bearded dragon from my step-son. He’s over 5 years old now and sits in my office constantly staring at me. It’s really cool!
Your favorite quote and why
Maggie: “A fly can drive you mad, but 10 can drive you crazy” this personifies my life. Quote by Maggie Hickman
Jonathan: Can’t say this is my favorite, but on our last film, I opened it with this one from Elbert Hubbard, “Art is not a thing, it is a way.” Hubbard was really interesting. He’s got a lot of great quotes.
Name something that you are extremely glad you did or accomplished
Maggie: Fighting for my life and fighting for my unborn son’s life after having a brain hemorrhage.
Jonathan: Had children. They are the most important thing.
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out on their own
Maggie: Look in the mirror and have more confidence.
Jonathan: Speak softer, it will save your voice, and take you farther.
