Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Roussel.
Anastasia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am an actress/writer/producer, and the owner of White Swan Films. Award Winning Reels is a subsidiary of White Swan Films and was established in 2012 to exclusively handle short format video production and editing, this includes Trailers, Teasers, Sizzle Reels, Branded Content or Promotional Videos, PSA’s, Demo Reels for actors, hosts and other talent, and a uniquely customized Demo Reel Production service for actors. The parent company White Swan Films was founded in 2004 and handles film/TV development, production and post.
A few years after getting my MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts and pursuing my acting career, I had a desire to expand into other areas of the entertainment industry. Also, being a writer, I wanted to develop my own projects and collaborate with others, essentially seeking a bigger picture for my career, that not only included acting but filmmaking. My then husband (our partnership has since ended and I am now sole owner and Head of Operations.) was a director and editor, with complimentary skill sets together we founded White Swan Films in 2004 while making our first film Aimée Price, that went on to have a successful run on the festival circuit winning several awards including Best Actress for myself at the Baltimore Women’s Film Festival. Aimée Price was picked up for international distribution and during that time we decided to continue developing and writing other screenplays. In the meantime, we were both freelancing, and working multiple jobs in the industry. At some point, it just made sense to invest in developing the post production arm of the company and take on editing work as well. Eventually we moved our office into The Hollywood Production Center in Hollywood and short format production and post became our bread and butter while we developed and pitched our film and television projects.
When I collaborated with another production company, Thousand Mile Media, to conceptualize a comedy television series, Sunny Side Up! which resulting in us writing an entire season, acquiring financing and co-producing the pilot, we felt it was time to make a distinction between our short format services and our bigger projects, and so Award Winning Reels was born.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone working in the entertainment industry that had a smooth road. There have certainly been plenty of struggles. But then that’s inherent in life in general, it’s how you choose to deal with those struggles that make all the difference, and how committed you are to pursuing what you’re passionate about.
I’m passionate about this business and consider every aspect of it artistic, there is a craft to cutting a great demo reel for an actor, or a sizzle reel that helps a producer sell a show just as much as there is to cutting a dynamic movie trailer or editing a feature film. And I make it a point to work with people who share the same mindset, so our team at Award Winning Reels are all experts in their craft.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Award Winning Reels – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We take pride in what we do, we’re very “hands on” with our clients. Each job is important to us, and quality is of the utmost importance. I’m proud of the integrity of the aesthetic our brand upholds. For example, we offer a boutique Demo Reel Scene Production service for actors, unlike any other out there. It sprang from my frustration early on in my acting career of not being able to get my hands on the tape of the shows or films I did, and not yet having the kind of work on film that could really show my chops as an actor. Many talented actors start out without any material for a demo reel to showcase themselves. Our solution was creating a highly customized 6-8 week service where we take into consideration the client’s level of ability, experience, strengths, and marketability. The service offers originally written scenes tailored to the client, directed and shot with a first-rate professional crew, then edited, mixed and color corrected on state of the art equipment – A straightforward, all-inclusive package. And because we’re filmmakers with years of experience and expertise, that informs us on how best to showcase the actor. We treat each scene with the same commitment to excellence that we do with our professional film/tv projects and that’s why they look no different than a professional credit. This has become a signature service for us. And the clients we attract match our level of commitment.
We also apply the same attention to detail when working with producers to cut Sizzle Reels. Many of our sizzles have succeeded in helping producers sell their shows to networks. And because of our track record with sizzles we’ve been doing more and more Trailers and Teasers.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love about L.A. is its diversity and opportunity. In L.A. there’s a vibe and energy full of possibility. Industry and culture in L.A. accepts and embraces change. As a creative type or entrepreneur, you feel as if you can re-invent yourself and your business if necessary. That mentality allows for a lot of business growth.
The disadvantage that comes with owning a business in a city like Los Angeles is the competition, and it can be a challenge for a small business owner to make their mark.
Pricing:
- Demo Reel Editing hourly rate $92
- Demo Reel Production (One Scene Package) $3,500.00
- Demo Reel Production (Two Scene Package) $5,400.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 1149 N. Gower St., Ste.204 (The Hollywood Production Center)
Hollywood, CA 90038 - Website: www.awardwinningreels.com, www.whiteswanfilms.com
- Phone: 323.785.2185
- Email: [email protected], [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awardwinningreels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awardwinningreels/ & https://www.facebook.com/groups/514958778638219/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AwardReels
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/award-winning-reels-los-angeles-2
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhiteSwanFilmsUS, https://plus.google.com/+Awardwinningreels, https://www.pinterest.com/awardw/,
Image Credit:
Image #1,2,- On set production photos
Image #3 – Producer- Anastasia Roussel (left) Celebrity- Elisabeth Rohm (center) Director- Gigi Gaston (right) on set of PSA for Cancer Prevention And Treatment Fund
Images #4,5,6,7 – Office photos and our edit bay
Images #8,9,10,11 – On set production photos of our Demo Reel Production Service
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