Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Rowley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I reign from Oklahoma, part Native, I always had a calling for my imagination. When I was little I would write all of these stories, and I would act out scenes.
Growing up, I thought being an actor was the only way that people will be able to see my work, and it wasn’t until I was older that I realized I could be behind the camera, and I could write, and people would still be able to see my work. At 18 I was accepted into Art School in San Francisco, and I really fell in love for the first time, not with a person, but with a place, a city. I took all that the city gave me, and when I moved to Los Angeles, I took that love and passion and pursued film. I landed a gig doing wardrobe, that was my first “big” in. Started assisting this great stylist, she started handing me jobs, and before I knew it I was dressing celebrities in music videos, and doing commercials. I didn’t really focus on writing, but the recession hit, and the unions were closing the doors, I couldn’t get my days to join so I started to office PA, a very humbling experience. I was hungry and eager. I learned all of the in’s and out’s of production. For 10 years I moved up, and when I left the freelance world I was producing high end budgets. I got introduced to the VR world when I was hired at one of the top VR companies in the tech world. They knew nothing about creative, or budgets, and that had been my world for so long. I ended up taking award winning projects to film festivals. When the company shifted their core mission they decided to stop creating content and only be a distributing platform. I was let go, and decided right then and there, I had to make my own opportunities. I was promised a lot at that company, I did a lot of work and was never credited. I started Still Cottage Studios in 2016, and hit the ground running. In our first year we produced 10 pieces of content. We hit a lot of great milestones, and then my initial partner left the company. It was a big setback, I had to re-think my own mission and what I was going to do. I took a step back and re-structured the entire foundation, it was the best choice, because now I have a collective of talent that work as a team to bring jobs to life. We have jobs in our pipeline and the future looks really good!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I first started Still Cottage, I didn’t believe enough in myself. As a woman, as a creative, as a producer, I thought I had to have someone to help me do this. I would have done things a bit differently had I just believed in me. I would have founded my company completely on my own, and then just hired the people I needed to structure. When my business partner left, it was a major setback. I had to realize that everything that my equal was doing, wasn’t very equal. I had already established all of the working relationships, and I had brought in all of the jobs, and the crew myself, there wasn’t anything that my partner was doing that I couldn’t do or figure out. Believing in myself was half the struggle. Because of the confidence I lacked, I was mentally, and financially set back. Believing that you have just as much worth as the other men at the table, and that you know maybe more, can take you a lot further. I have the confidence and knowledge now, that sadly took me the long route to figure out.
Still Cottage Studios – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Still Cottage Studios is a small hand crafted independent studio specializing in 360 video.
Our content is Immersive and conceptual. Experiential and engaging. We Organically integrate consumers & brands, creating dynamic experiences.
What really sets us apart is having a team that makes up of such different talent, in order to produce cutting-edge premium/ branded content, entertainment, education and advertising. I am proud to have been able to put this group of people together, and seeing all of their talents come to life, makes me so excited for all of the future content we will produce together.
We had a great run with our Facebook/Lowe’s project. We did two DIY pieces that were based on building a side table and a tee-pee. It was such a great executed project, linking customers to materials after viewing. We launched the videos, and in a week, we were in the millions on views. I remember going on to the comment sections and people had uploaded their finished projects. VR is a great way to be able to show building furniture. That campaign actually won awards at Cleo, Cannes, and Facebook Ad Awards.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I came from a low-income upbringing, where dropout rates were high, and no one considered college. I was told I was gifted at a young age, and it’s all it took, a few teachers saying you’re smart. I learned the value in education. I paid my way through school, and was the first to graduate high school out of my family. I got out of a place where people just don’t get out. Moving across country already set me apart from the environment that I was used to. I was on my own for a very long time, being able to make it in Los Angeles for over a decade has been my first great milestone.
My second big milestone was when I shot my first film. I had told myself that by 27 I was going to have shot something meaningful, and I did. I was on the road for 3 months with my brother going cross country. That really proved to me a few things, one that I could be a great story teller, and two, that no matter how hard the journey I was destined to write and direct.
Going to Sundance the first time, still gives me chills. It’s something I dreamed about and was able to bring it to life. The fact that I have had the opportunities to be able to put projects in any festivals is such an accomplishment.
Starting my company is 100% the most proudest accomplishment to date. I had always wanted to have my own production company, and wanted to work on making my own dreams come true, instead of working to make others more successful. Now I have the ability to make not only my dreams come true, but to help my team get to where they really want to be for themselves. Having a family that can grow together is personally my favorite success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 124 E. Olive Ave Burbank, CA 91508
- Website: stillcottagestudios.com
- Phone: 323.636.2738
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stillcottage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stillcottagestudios/?pnref=lhc
Image Credit:
Still Cottage Studios
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
