liesl eppes
The realization hit me my first semester there: I had always been a director, and I had always been fighting for women’s voices to be heard.
One of my earliest childhood memories is imagining my life as a tv series. I could see the crane shot panning from the sky in through my window; landing on me playing with my doll house while a narration introduced the spunky and enigmatic “Liesl Eppes”. When you lead with that, it seems obvious that I would become a director.
But it was a revelation to me when I directed that first scene and discovered it was the only thing I had ever done which harnessed every part of my brain at once. It is the confluence of all my greatest strengths and the opportunity to be challenged in all my favorite ways. It requires an ability to harness logistical challenges and translate them into a creative output. It demands an ability to speak the language of performers, designers, producers and technicians. All while keeping in focus a larger story. It requires confidence in your intuition and the fortitude to filter which compromises to make while maintaining the story’s creative integrity.
It is an exhilarating collaboration. One that rewards curiosity and a variety of experience. While my resume spans multiple industries, it follows a singular through line: elevating the stories of women.
Photo Credit: Ryan Belk
I focused on producing work written by and for women during my time studying at Drew University, and quickly followed my dual major in Theatre and Spanish with an Internship and Mentorship at New York Women in Film and Television. The experience shaped my scrappy independent filmmaking skills. I was inspired by the culture of women supporting women in creating groundbreaking work.
My passion for music then led me to my time with Rhino Records at Warner Music Group where I had the privilege to work on the YouTube channels of some of my favorite artists including Enya, Aretha Franklin, and Green Day. I got to research Alanis Morrisette, Stevie Nicks, and The Pogues, as part of the script development process for the Rhino Report YouTube series–research that didn’t feel like work at all. Collaborating on our episode for Women’s History Month was a highlight of my time there.
Branching out to work in Social Media Management and Podcast Production for Poe Group Advisors I produced content elevating the stories of our clients. Working in content creation for Theatre 99 I loved celebrating how brilliant and goofy the women who perform there are. Directing my first independent short film, it was important to me to write a script with an all female cast, focusing the story on female friendship.
It is my passion and dedication for elevating the stories of women that sets me apart as a video content creator, and why I choose to work with women entrepreneurs. Building your business is hard enough–telling your story shouldn’t be.
I walk my clients through ever step of the video marketing process so that they can focus on doing what they do best; resting assured that their story is in good hands and that they can check one more thing off of that ever growing to-do list.
Guiding my clients through the creative process from an initial idea to production and final release is one of my greatest joys. I love asking the questions that facilitate great work and helping my clients reach their goals.
I believe that stories are a universal human right and I bring that reverence and dedication to everything I do.