Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelie Elmquist
Hi Amelie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to film.
When I tell you I’m a musician, that’s not entirely the case – I initially got into songwriting because I wanted to film music videos. That might be a little backwards, but I’ll go every step of the way if it means I can make a video out of it.
Where did this magnetism towards video start? Well, I’m a 2000’s baby, so I came out of the womb with a camcorder pointed at me.
When I was 5, I was enlisted as an actor in the neighbor girl’s bad movies.
When I was 9, I directed 100 episodes of a webshow.
When I was 13, I started volunteering and taking classes at the local cable station.
When I was 14, I became the Video Artist for my robotics team, winning awards at almost every tournament – even at Worlds where we placed #1 for my animated Public Service Announcement video.
When I was 16, I started my own animated web series – Wish It Was Fiction, inspired by the fact I asked a guy to the girls-ask-guys dance and got rejected. Teenage humiliation can be a motivating tool.
When I was 19, I produced an entire pop/rock album just so I could create music videos for each of the tracks.
In college, I found ways to up the creativity of my computer science track, programming Horror Movies in VR, creating an app for movie-lovers, and so many other film-inspired projects. When asked what my favorite part of the filmmaking process is, I usually say editing. It requires unique solutions, an eye for detail, and clever storytelling, and that’s what excites me.
Out of college, I started a position at COOL STORY, a content agency, where I am now a full-time Content Creator. Who would’ve thought I could turn this passion into a real job? I’ve been able to incorporate my love for screenwriting, directing, acting, animation, camera work, and editing all into one job role.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When looking back at my first webshow that I started at age 9, it’s obvious – you don’t start out knowing everything. Me – I didn’t know editing software existed. I thought that other people had a better camera than me, one that had a “pause” button that allowed them to stop the recording, move to a new location, and continue recording. But, I’m glad I wasn’t given an instruction manual because it was my drive for experimentation that drove the passion. If you keep on doing something, you’ll find little tricks.
When I started my animated web series in high school, I didn’t know a thing about animation software. I simply took note of what I did know about animation: it’s multiple still drawings played in a row to create movement. So, I invented my own technique. Sure, it probably took 10 times as long as it should’ve, but my curiosity and drive to complete the project was the most important part of my process – that’s not something a YouTube tutorial can teach you. I finished 20 episodes before I finally started taking animation classes.
Now, with my Content Creator job, I’m finding again that it’s not all about learning software and techniques. I can handle the camera work and the editing. But what’s required for the content itself, that’s what requires me to get out of my comfort zone. In creating content, you need to create interesting situations. Despite my introverted nature, I’ve had to go up to countless people on the streets of Minneapolis, doing on-the-spot interviews. I’ve attended strange events and weird conventions – I’ve had to interact with things that made me physically queasy (like skunk hearts and rat taxidermy). Showing up at new events, approaching strangers on the street – it’s always a roll of the dice. You can’t predict how someone will react, but I’ve found so much is dependent on the energy you bring into the situation. So, over and over, I’ve had to fight my shy tendencies, and just go for it. I’ve had to ready myself for rejection because there’s a lot of it. But, the more you try, the more you realize it’s worth it. Because the people who do stop for an interview, they give you a chance to connect – something unique, personal, something that couldn’t be recreated with any other stranger. It’s truly changed my perception on people as a whole. And that is the most beautiful part about my job.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I call myself a Video Artist. And under that title, I shift from Animator to Editor to Screenwriter to Director to Actor to Producer to Programmer to User Interface Designer. What sets me apart is the fact I’m a computer science graduate in the film industry. I love jumping headfirst into creative arts while incorporating an eye for detail and strategy. My goal is to cover as many mediums as I can: movies, tv series, animated web series, video game development, novels, graphic novels, and CDs. It’s what excites me – finishing a project, holding that final printed book, watching that final edit, listening to the finished album from the first song to the last. I’m excited to start new projects, and of course, to finish them.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One project leads to another. Start a conversation with people, ask what they’re interested in. You might find they have a skill you’ll need later on down the road. Keep contacts! Stay in touch! If you offer someone a role on your project, they’re more likely to return the favor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amelieelmquist.journoportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolstorympls/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelie-elmquist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ameleamusic/videos
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/amelea-elmstreet
