Meet Emily Mathason of Emro Films in North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Mathason.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Emily. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in West Virginia and grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania. My grandparents owned a bar, and from a young age I helped them in the kitchen there. Then, when I was in High School, my parents bought it and I helped them run it as well, bartending and working in the kitchen.

I always loved acting, film, and theater, so from the 7th grade on I was in every High School play and took Drama class. I also ran track and became quite good at High Jump. I went to the State Finals every year and in the summer before my Junior year in High School I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and it sent everything into a crazy whirlwind. I had chemotherapy and radiation, lost my hair, and dealt with life as a weaker version of myself for a year. I continued to dance, cheer, and run track to keep busy and keep my energy levels up! I was cancer-free by Thanksgiving of 2004 and started the long process of growing back my long locks and getting life back on track (every pun intended). I always wanted to go to Los Angeles to start my adult life, so after the wild ride of recovery, I was Prom Queen, Salutatorian, and finished in the State Track meet my senior year and went on to Major in Theatre at Penn State’s Main Campus. I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Theater and Business Minor. A month later, I left bartending at my parent’s tavern and headed west in my sassy little Saturn sedan. I was able to join SAG not long after by working as a background actor and also worked at, you guessed it, a bar!

I’ve always had a hard-working spirit so I did anything I could to make enough money to stay and live in Los Angeles. I was determined to make life work here and not run back home tail-between-legs. I was a production assistant, a personal assistant, nanny to industry professionals, you name it. All the while I was creating my own projects and dreaming of directing and acting. I quickly moved up and into the Assistant Directing category while doing my own short films. I’ve learned most of my knowledge in this business by ADing and being on set as much as possible. I love to learn and made it a point to get a deeper understanding and appreciation of all the departments that make movies, commercials, and TV shows happen. My goal is continue to build EMRO Films into a powerhouse that produces challenging and controversial shorts and features directed by me and a shortlist of other directors to provide stories that reflect our society TODAY instead of the continual barrage of throwback nostalgic projects that Hollywood has latched onto the past decade. I aim to put a mirror up to the world’s face so that we can take an honest look at what is going on in the world and work together to make the future something worth forging into.

My most recent short is titled “The Gusset”. It was written by, directed by, and starred in by me. It explores the deep introspective emotional baggage of the world’s women and how we deal with sex, dismissal, and pain. There is no dialogue, you have to truly immerse yourself into it and feel it. It’s messed up. A lot of people won’t like it. But, that’s the point. I’ve submitted to many festivals, and look forward to making a splash with it. Anybody have a connection at Sundance?!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oooo, the struggles have been many. I think whenever someone uproots their life or takes a risk moving somewhere that is known for being very different than the status quo, you fight social norms, family, and finances in many ways. The starving artist is a real thing. I can’t tell you how much Ramen and baked beans I’ve eaten over the last decade, but it has been aplenty. Over the years, I’ve clung to the belief that any town, this town especially, is built on relationships and rapport building. If there is one thing I’m proud of, I’m proud that my parents taught me how to relate and empathize with almost anyone. Making eye contact and always projecting positive energy has been my largest advantage in this business. I love people, I love connecting in truth and honesty, and I love making beautiful films that challenge and move people.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Emro Films story. Tell us more about the business.
EMRO is the center of a bigger goal I envision for the industry. I don’t want to be labeled as a female director, writer, or actress. I want to be known as an innovative filmmaker in all facets of production. I want people to think about the stories they watch on their screens. How does it make you feel? How does it inspire you to action? How does it make others feel? What is wrong in the world? How can we make a change? Do you think film can move people into action and empathy?

At the heart of our company, we want people to ask questions. Lots of questions. We want to express creativity, not endless drivel with happy endings. We want you to wonder and feel. That is what sets EMRO apart.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m a big believer that when hard work and preparation meet with opportunity that the road called “LUCK” appears that then leads to success. I think we forge our own paths to the top by using our strengths to their upmost power, whether that be communication, savvy, honesty, ferociousness, or kindness. I call on all of those to brew the perfect potion as I continue on my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emrofilms.com
• Phone: 724.986.6756
• Email: emily@emrofilms.com
• Instagram: emrofilms, emilyinla
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/emrofilms
• Twitter: emrofilms, emilyinla

Image Credit:
William Carnahan, Troy Hauschild, Johnathon L. Jackson

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