Youth in Filmmaking: Interview with Ella Greenwood

@posella on instagram

1. Could you tell the readers a little about yourself? What is your background and what are your passions?

I’m a 19-year-old actor, filmmaker and mental health advocate from London. I started acting from a young age and then filmmaking when I turned 18. My passions are anything to do with film really!

2. What has your experience in the film industry been like? What was it like getting started? How do you think your age or background has affected your success in the industry?

It’s been great so far; everyone has been so supportive, and I’ve had so many wonderful experiences. Getting started was pretty overwhelming as when making my first short film I did a lot of it myself. I cast it, wrote it, produced it, directed it, did the production design etc. I did way too much which was of course stressful but at the same time, I guess in a way I only had myself to hold accountable if things went wrong, no one else would be upset so that made things less stressful. I think my age has helped, I write about young characters and their experiences, and so being young, I feel that I’m able to represent them at least somewhat well. No one in my family has any links to the industry and so it meant that I had to try and create those connections and put myself out there, but it helped build confidence in myself and to know that I’ve got where I am because of the work I put in.

3. What have some of your favorite projects been so far?

I’ve loved everything that I’ve worked on so much! I shot the film Self-Charm in December and that was such a fun shoot. We had an amazing cast and crew and a wonderful location so I can’t wait for people to see it!

4. A lot of your work focuses on mental health. What drew you to this theme and why is it important to you?

I wanted to make projects about something that I’m passionate about and mental health is definitely that! I struggled with my mental health from a young age and know how much of an impact the media can have, so wanted to share my experiences and to try and improve the representation of mental health in the media.

5. Do you feel that your life/experiences have impacted your work in any ways?

For sure, my experiences from life impact every aspect of my work. Filmmaking for me is about telling stories that people can relate to, and so it’s important to include things that I’ve learnt and experienced in my work.

6. Do you have any upcoming work we should be looking out for?

My animated short Dreary Days will next be playing at Monstra Film Festival, Self-Charm is currently in post-production so there will be lots more news for that soon, my new short Smudged Smile will be shot soon as well as the feature version of Faulty Roots too!

7. What advice do you have for other young creatives in the film industry?

Get experience any way that you can, look out for mentorship schemes and trainee programmes, attend Q&A sessions with other filmmakers and special screenings, watch as many films as possible – documentaries, features, shorts, and then just go out and create work. If the film matters to you then it’s bound to resonate with someone else, so be confident in your work and get it out there!