Check Out Annabel Regier’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annabel Regier.

Hi Annabel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Annabel Grace Regier. I took my first art class in second grade with Ms. O.,
who knew how to guide young artists to both understand the fundamentals of visual arts and
access their creative potential. That potential grew in me throughout my school experience when
I joined the high school media team. Editing, writing, and directing short skits and
mockumentaries in high school eventually led me to apply to Biola University’s film program,
where I received a B.A. in Cinema and Media Arts with a minor in Fine Art.
In my college career, I had the chance to work in the art department and as a director. I
directed a range of pieces, from short film assignments to self-funded feature films. The most
recent feature was a holiday film called “Our Christmas House.” Spending time with a script,
delving into character motivations, and working collaboratively with a skeleton crew cemented
my love for the visual medium.
Over the last two years, I’ve taken time to develop my design portfolio at both small
businesses and at a corporate level. But this last April, I was still feeling the itch to direct. That
itch led me to direct and produce Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with a group of
extremely gifted friends. Many of these colleagues had worked with me on “ Our Christmas
House,” and volunteered time, resources, and talent to make this production happen.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was provided with directing opportunities during my college tenure, it was
difficult to find meaningful feedback from the professors. There was a whelming male presence
in the film department that was critical of female storytelling. Despite this, I leaned into every
project, determined to come away with personal and professional connections that have allowed
me to continue in visual storytelling. The difficult times on set taught me tenacity and courage to
fight for my vision as a director.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work as a display artist, mainly working in storefront windows, pop-up shops, and photoshoots. I love creating a physical environment for stories to be told. My passion is in directing. I love storytelling and getting to have a vision and execute it with a group of talented people. Most recently I directed an abridged version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights Dream. It started as a simple way for me to practice directing but turned into a two show event where over 100 people attended. Through this project I was able to pursue my love of directing as well as set design and costume. We cultivated a beautiful garden party look for classic shakespearean characters to exist in.

What sets me apart from other young directors is that I am a firm believer in starting. So many projects don’t happen because people are afraid to fail, but I think that you should make as many things as you can even if you know it’s going to fail. I am not afraid to make something even if I know I don’t have the resources to make it amazing, even if I don’t have the money or the crowd I will still create just to create.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe that any time you attempt to make art you are taking a risk, you are risking humiliation, failure, frustration and disappointment. I try my best to be a risk-taker and put my work out there. It’s easy to get discouraged by all the no’s because we never see other people getting rejected, you only see the winners.

I risked a lot when I moved from Colorado to California to attend film school, I couldn’t really afford it and risked a lot financially as well as emotionally. Anytime I make something I’m risking financially because I’m taking time and money from my everyday job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annabelgraceregier.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabel_grace_regier/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabel-regier-2240891bb/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11281383/

Image Credits
Beth Gilbertson, Bailey Captian, Graham Skinner

A Midsummer Nights Dream Poster design: Claire Ng