Meet Elizabeth Gottshall | Artist & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Gottshall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
So much of my inspiration comes from my friends and other wonderful and interesting people I’ve met over the years from college and onwards. They’ve broadened my perspectives and been a part of so many amazing adventures. I love connecting with people and getting to know their backstory because I’m always learning something new. I love to hear about people’s experiences and try to figure out the mysterious ways in which the universe works.

In particular, I like to listen to the unheard stories of those who are underrepresented. I come from a background that has given me a unique identity since it is such a specific experience. Unfortunately, my story has not been seen that often in the media and when it has been in a movie or tv show, it is not the best representation. Wanting to see more untold stories is what drives me to continue working on my own artwork and projects. I want to meet others who have similar experiences as I do but also learn about experiences I know nothing about in hopes of seeing them represented in projects in the future.

I like to incorporate small pieces of the people I love in the characters I write. I draw from their experiences and memories we share together to craft realistic relationships and characters. I think some of the best stories are at arm’s length if we talk to our friends and family members and go beyond the surface. Part of why I love working in the film industry is being able to meet so many fascinating people and being able to stay in touch with them and create these lifelong connections.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My path to film has been quite a journey that started all the way back when I was in elementary school, but I hadn’t originally intended to be in the entertainment industry. I always loved all of my art classes all through school and reading books, so I had a passion for storytelling from a young age. As an only child, I often had to entertain myself and spend time by myself. I was always using my overactive imagination to play pretend and make up stories. Eventually, I was writing my own stories and continuing my studio art practice in middle school when a teacher pulled me aside to learn some more advanced techniques. I began to take my art more seriously in high school when I took classes to learn more mediums including printmaking and photography and how to create more complex art pieces.

In college, I majored in computer science and studio art at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. I thought I’d continue studio art for fun but pursue a career in computer science, but I was always drawn more towards ways to express myself since it has always been hard for me to talk about myself and my feelings. I loved photography and creative writing and pretty soon found a perfect way to combine my love for both through film. I took as many film courses as I could in college, had a couple of internships in video production and film including one in New York City, and then had to figure out how to break into the industry. Luckily, in Georgia, where I was originally from, there was a huge film industry and a continuing education organization called the Georgia Film Academy. I completed the program and had an internship with a camera crew on a union film, which was a great way for me to find out if I was a good fit for the job and if I liked it.

Immediately, I fell in love with set life and I knew I was meant to be there. The pandemic set my career goals back a little bit, but I was still able to manage making connections with other camera people, dayplaying on non-union sets, and working at a camera equipment rental house to learn the gear. It was difficult juggling it all as well as working a day job at a restaurant and a lot of sacrifices had to be made, but it was all worth it. After about a year, I joined the Local 600 union to become a digital utility and officially began my career as a freelancer. Aside from union work, I’ve done work as a 1st AC and 2nd AC for non-union jobs and have started doing more work as a camera operator for non-union work. I’ve done work for numerous tv shows and films as well as short films, commercials, and music videos.

While I’ve done a lot of work for other companies and producers and directors, in the future, I’d like to create my own film and television projects! I wrote, directed, and produced a few of my own short films, but hadn’t done anything original in a while as I worked on establishing myself as a camera woman. Eventually, I’d love to start working on my original projects again starting with a short film and a pilot based on my real life experiences as an Asian adoptee. I’d like to focus on crafting stories based on my own unique experiences and other themes and topics that aren’t as widely explored in the media.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
During these last couple of years, I’ve spent a lot more time exploring Atlanta with friends who live here. I began working on my own personal guide to the city including places to see, restaurants to eat, and attractions to visit. I got tired of people saying there was nothing to do in Atlanta or friends from out of town not knowing what to do when they got here. Once I created my guide for Atlanta, it’s been so helpful to figure out what to do or where to eat especially when friends have come to visit from out of town!

I definitely like to take friends around Centennial Park, Ponce City Market, walk around the Beltline to Piedmont Park, and then end the day at the rooftop bar of the Clermont Hotel to catch the sunset. For pieces of Atlanta history, it’s great to visit the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, Cabbagetown, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The Beltline is great to walk to Krog Street Market and check out some cool local bars and restaurants. Buford Highway is the best place to check out different foods like Vietnamese, Colombian, Korean, Chinese, Venezuelan, Filipino, and so much more. Some of my favorite restaurants are Botiwalla, Northern China Eatery, Food Terminal, LanZhou Ramen, Kamayan, and Las Delicias De La Abuela.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a huge shout out to the camera women who have been so helpful and kind to me as I’ve tried to establish myself in this industry. It was hard for me to build my connections and feel comfortable with my place in the industry when I first began. I owe a lot of my first jobs to women who have taken a chance on me or given me tips and taught me how to use the gear. We’ve worked hard to create a safe community where we answer questions, offer advice, recommend each other for jobs, share workshops and networking opportunities, and provide mentorship. Making these connections have made my journey so much easier and I always want to bring more women into the camera department into the community and pass on any knowledge or help.

It’s very difficult to navigate the film and tv industry because it is still incredibly male dominated. Most camera crews are male and are almost always led by men. It still feels incredibly rare to work with a DP who is not a man or even see camera operators who are women. Things are changing, but women still aren’t hired as often and we still aren’t in as many leadership positions. Just recently, a film festival founder disparaged women cinematographers and it’s 2024. Many people have stood up against the film festival’s founder’s words which feels like a sign that things are changing. However, despite this one instance of support, there is still so much disrespect and misogyny that women have to face on a day to day basis. It’s important for us to have a community and a safe space for us. It’s also important for us to continue to protect each other and lift each other up, especially if we want any kind of change in this industry.

Website: https://elizabethgottshall.wixsite.com/portfolio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizgott22

Other: https://linktr.ee/elizabethgottshall

Image Credits
Erin Zellers, Dan Williams, Desha Hayes, Tracy Bosworth Page, Carlos Andrés Cuervo, and Tina Somphone