Today we’d like to introduce you to Carina Posch.
Hi Carina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Storytelling has always been a part of me. I vividly recall writing books and series when I was young, but it never occurred to me that it could be a real job. I grew up in a small town in Austria; no one in my family was an artist or had artistic ambitions. Even though I loved the arts at school, particularly drawing, it was important to me (and my family) to get a “Gescheite Ausbildung”, which in English means “solid education”, or in other words, something that can reliably pay the bills. So, I went on to pursue an education in media and communications. After school, I worked in the city culture department, where I managed the operations for an annual lineup of six plays and five concerts. After that, I worked at an event marketing agency in Vienna, where I discovered more of the creative aspects of marketing. Later, I transitioned into media design and marketing, working as a manager in agencies and marketing departments. Through it all, my passion for storytelling persisted. On the weekends, I would take classes and workshops on writing and screenwriting, traveling as far as London to hone my craft.
In 2015, I published my first novel; two years later, I published my second. In the summer of 2017, after getting an opportunity to pursue marketing in the US, I took a leap of faith and moved to Florida, a place where I had never been, nor knew a single soul. It was in Florida where I met my now husband. After a few years spent in South Florida and later Atlanta, I moved with my husband to Los Angeles in the spring of 2021 to pursue my dream of making movies. Since changing coasts, I have written and directed my own short film and have worked on numerous sets, as well as in the post-production of a documentary for a network.
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?
My first experience with Hollywood was around 2013. I didn’t know anyone in the industry, and I lived in Austria. After a little while, I thought to myself, “What are the chances that someone picks up a screenplay from an unknown Austrian writer?” Though I’m a very optimistic person, I’m also realistic and incredibly impatient. So, I thought “Okay, it’s 2013, we have the Internet, I’ll just do it my way.” I just wanted to get my stories out, and thought “I can write a book.” The beauty of writing is that I don’t have to wait for anyone to greenlight anything for me. Eventually, I fell in love with writing a novel. After I finished the book, I realized I didn’t know anyone in the publishing industry either. So, I looked up editors who worked at publishing houses and freelance editors, and I hired one of them. Then, I self-published the book. I thought, “I’ll just let the audience decide if they like the story or not.” At first, I kept it a secret; I didn’t even tell my parents, but I told one person, and after reading it, she posted about it on Facebook, and people responded well to it. I got invited to do readings, book signings, and I got to meet many of my readers. In hindsight, some obstacles actually led me to something amazing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In short, I write, produce, and direct. I love writing stories that delve into the depths of the human experience, showcasing unique characters and exploring their struggles in everyday life. In my first novel, I wrote about love, life, and family, showcasing how life throws choices at us, and we all try to make the best decisions in those difficult moments. My second novel focuses on an estranged family, exploring themes of forgiveness and wounds that never quite heal. My first short film depicts a family falling apart, and how, even when everything falls apart, we can still come out okay and emerge stronger. What I love about directing is how it allows me to convey a story with pictures, light, music, and of course, the actors who breathe life into the story. The way this art form brings all these beautiful elements together is truly inspiring to me. I’m a very visual person; before I could write, I drew all of my stories, so collaborating with the Director of Photography and coming up with the visuals is definitely one of my favorite parts of the filmmaking process. Depending on the story, I enjoy experimenting with different mediums. I’m always juggling multiple projects. I’m currently finishing my third book, while I’m also working on a feature, and I have an idea for a podcast which I’m really excited about, and additionally I have some other fun projects in the works.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Looking back, I am genuinely grateful for every job and internship that has helped shape my professional trajectory. I am always eager to learn, and I have a very hands-on mentality. Whether it was in marketing and media, where I learned graphic design from the ground up by creating logos in Adobe Illustrator and print advertisements in InDesign or gaining basic coding skills through building websites. Since moving to LA, I have worked in art departments, costume departments, and post-production. I translated archival material for a documentary, and I briefly worked in film distribution. Experience and skills are something no one can take away from you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carinaposch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carinaposch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carina.posch.1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carinaposch/
Image Credits
Christopher Brown
