We were lucky to catch up with Alesia Glidewell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alesia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

Earning my first dollar as a creative was an unforgettable experience. At 12 years old, I had just joined an agency in Miami, transitioning from mall runway modeling and catalogues to auditioning for commercials and films. My first gig was a voiceover for a commercial. I remember walking into the studio, filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement. They directed me into an audio booth and handed me a pair of headphones. I read the line, “Hi Mom, I’m home!” just once. The instant approval from the director was exhilarating. Receiving that $400 check felt surreal; I couldn’t stop talking about it. Although I didn’t revisit voiceover work until my 20s, the experience of that first check left a lasting impression.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a director, writer, and creative specializing in narrative film, web series, and commercials. Occasionally, I also take on short-term senior positions in development and production. 

My cultural and geographical background has profoundly shaped my identity as an artist. From playing in the dunes of Saudi Arabia as a child to performing in a traditional Japanese Noh drama in Atlanta to creating an emo fanzine in English and Spanish about “drugs, sex, and rock n’ roll” in Mexico City, to interning with an autopsy technician in Boston.

My entry into the industry began with audio production and voiceover work in Seattle. Starting as an audio mixer, I gradually transitioned into video production and freelance crew roles. In tandem, my voiceover work led to opportunities in motion capture and contributions to video games such as Portal, Fear, and Starfox. At the same time, writing and directing my short films opened doors to producing for others, eventually leading me to launch my own production company, where I was responsible for numerous projects.

Driven to deepen my filmmaking knowledge and concentrate on directing, I moved to LA. The journey since has been long and circuitous, but the experience I have gained at the highest levels here is unmatched. I’ve had the good fortune of directing two independent dramas, one of which will be released this year. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to create and showrun several scripted and unscripted new media series. I developed a reputation for crafting audacious, original, and strategic creative concepts, and for being uniquely versatile, navigating both the creative and physical aspects of production, from concept to delivery. Leading entertainment companies such as Sony, Netflix, MGM, Paramount, have sought out my expertise in creative development and project leadership.

As an artist, I am inspired by the impact of powerful films, auteur filmmakers, and master craftsmen. Directors like Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Federico Fellini, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Ava DuVernay, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam, Milos Forman, Rose Glass, and many others have greatly influenced me. I also deeply admire actors as they face the most challenging task of bringing vulnerability and truth to their performances. While I work professionally, I remain an avid cinema enthusiast, hold deep respect for the artists, craftsmen, and technicians I have the privilege to work with, and am passionately committed to growth and improvement.

I look forward to more opportunities to stretch and explore as an artist in the coming decades!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that having an opinion was unsafe. Growing up, my mother would often say, “children should be seen and not heard,” a mantra from her upbringing. Though she would chuckle when she said it, acknowledging a recognition of its flaws, it still influenced her parenting. This led to an extreme discomfort around expressing divergent opinions to anyone in authority. It took years to uproot this subconscious fear and confidently express my thoughts without the need of an official title that sanctioned my right to have an opinion. This shift ultimately made me a better leader.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Yes, absolutely! Firstly, I believe everyone is inherently creative, as creativity is innovative problem-solving. However, some think ‘outside the box’ more frequently, especially in a society that often rewards conformity. That said, I can address how people in roles outside the arts might struggle to understand my journey as a creative and artist.

Every artist’s journey is unique. Art is subjective, and there isn’t a clear path to success or a singular definition of it, which often leads to greater uncertainty and insecurity.

When I moved to LA to focus on directing, I discovered that many creatives hustle across various disciplines to stay financially afloat. Despite my initial enthusiasm and determination, it took years to realize I had neglected my own projects. I came to LA as an artist to focus on my craft, but I ended up dedicating my heart-energy and creative brain power to big brands, which only partially satisfied my need for self-expression. In a feast or famine environment, it’s easy to fall into this trap.

I believe there are important distinctions between being a creative and being an artist, despite some overlap. Artists express creativity through an art form, conveying something deeply personal, which could be self-reflective or an exploration of problem-solving. In contrast, a creative often has an outward goal, like solving a specific problem or meeting a client’s needs. While this distinction is debatable, it resonates with me, especially in terms of ‘expression’ and craft. It took years for me to call myself a filmmaker, a director, and ultimately, an artist.

As Charles Horton Cooley said, “An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moontowerpictures.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snagbuddy/
• Facebook:
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alesiaglidewell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsgZgzVioBDqm2kTN1a7VWg
• Other: https://linktr.ee/snagbuddy

Image Credits

Brooke Walton, Valentina Martinico, Tammy Santos, Rell Battle, Geri-Nikole Love, Anthony Kimata, Daniel Ibanez