liesl eppes
The realization hit me my first semester there: I had always been a director.
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 actors, 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. Which is why my resume is so varied.
Photo Credit: Ryan Belk
I followed my double major in Theatre and Spanish from Drew University by an Internship and Mentorship with New York Women in Film and Television. The experience shaped my scrappy independent filmmaking skills. My passion for music 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.
Branching out to work in Social Media Management and Podcast Production for Poe Group Advisors; content creation for Theatre 99; and directing an independent short film and documentary series gave me the confidence to venture out into the freelance world.
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.