Daily Inspiration: Meet Michelle West

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle West

Hi Michelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Cottage Grove, MN – a suburb of St. Paul/Minneapolis. At the time, I had no idea that filmmaking or film school were real things that real people did. I was always a storyteller – I remember writing, singing, dancing, reading, and drawing as much as possible – but I was pretty clueless about what I wanted to pursue when I went to college. My parents lovingly persuaded me into business school, after which I was hired at a top ad agency in Minneapolis. This exposed me to commercial production and completely changed my trajectory. I’ll never forget walking on to my first set on the Santa Monica Beach and seeing all the people running around with walkie-talkies, the actors in superhero costumes, and the director chairs set up for us – the agency. Sitting in that chair for the first time, I felt like I had truly come home.

Following that experience, I immersed myself in everything filmmaking I could find. I went to screenings, coordinated a 48-hour film festival, and PA’d for anyone that would have me. Eventually, I felt confident enough to quit advertising and give filmmaking a shot – which meant freelancing. I managed locations, coordinated for a number of local production companies, and eventually started production managing and line producing for independent feature films shooting in the Minnesota / Iowa region. I hustled and learned a lot, trial-by-fire style.

I moved out to Los Angeles in 2010 and primarily freelanced as an Assistant Director, responsible for set operations, production paperwork, and developing the schedule; as well as Producing a number of feature films and digital projects. I also dabbled in acting, starring in a number of commercials and independent films. Moving to Los Angeles was the best thing I could have done because this is where I learned how the business of filmmaking works from different perspectives.

About four years ago, I felt the pull to tell my own stories. I realized it was time to stop working on other people’s projects and start creating my own through my storytelling lens. I’ve now directed four short films, three of which I’ve written, and have screened at dozens of festivals and won several awards. While I often wonder how my path would have been different had I attended film school, or started directing earlier in my life, I’m so grateful that all of my experience filmmaking in different capacities has elevated my ability to handle pressure and execute a vision. Film and television are powerful storytelling modalities, and it’s a privilege to be able to do it in the most exciting city in the world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I moved to LA I didn’t know very many people so I had to start all over. I got production gigs here and there, but I also had to get survival jobs to stay afloat. I’ve been a hostess, bartender, Lyft driver, background actor – you name it. I once typed captions into customer survey videos for a marketing company that paid me in American Express gift cards. Hey, it put gas in my car and food in my fridge. It was a lot to juggle, but I was committed. Eventually, the freelance work was consistent enough that I didn’t need the side hustles any more, and I worked consistently as a line producer, assistant director, and actor; but it’s definitely feast or famine.

When I decided to start creating my own projects, the biggest struggle was time. Freelancing meant long hours when I was working, and then finding the next gig when I wasn’t working. So to create the time to write, produce, and direct my own projects meant my projects were frequently sidelined. Ultimately, I got an opportunity to work for a film school full-time, and this was the biggest blessing. It has afforded me the ability to pay my bills while still having the time to be a filmmaker. The stability has truly been a blessing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a film director focusing on scripted narratives that are heart-centered, aesthetically rich, and offer a bit of hope in this often bleak world. I like to explore different genres, as long as the characters confront something within themselves that they wanted to avoid. Whether its shame, grief, insecurity, or self-hatred, the ability for a character to go through it and come out on the other side makes for inspiring storytelling.

I’m incredibly proud of my short film Lineage, which I wrote, produced, directed, and performed in, about three generations of women navigating trauma during the Great Depression. It’s loosely based on true stories within my own family, including abortions my great-grandmother had, abuse, and a mysterious fetus found in a trunk. These stories were kept secret, as were most issues that women dealt with during that time, and by weaving them into a narrative I felt as if I was releasing my own lineage from shame, in a way. Breaking that generational cycle of secrecy through film has been incredibly healing.

What matters most to you? Why?
Overall as a human, integrity is pretty important. When my actions match my words and my values, then I know I’m doing it right and other people’s opinions don’t matter so much.

When I carry integrity into my filmmaking, it means treating people on my crew with dignity, staying committed to the truth of the story, and ensuring that I do the absolute best that I can with what I have to work with. If I approach my work in that way, and life in that way, it’s hard to ever have any regrets.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.itsmichellewest.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_michellewest/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellepatriciawest
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsmichellewest/

Image Credits
Christina Belle, Tommy Kallgren, Dilara Senbilgin