We were lucky to catch up with Annie Fleisch recently and have shared our conversation below.
Annie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
It’s so great to have this opportunity to chat with you! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my body of work as a filmmaker, which primarily consists of narrative short films and commercials. It’s so much fun to create a story purely from imagination. But back in April (2024), I was given the opportunity to pitch a short documentary to Red Bull Media House. As many would, I felt a combination of excitement and fear. I was grateful for the chance, yet terrified to stand before a room of Red Bull employees, directors, and managers. But I knew that with great risk comes great reward. To my relief, and excitement, I was fortunate enough to get my pitch green-lit, which set in motion a six-month journey of preparation, production, and post-production.
My team and I traveled to Boston to meet Dianne Vitkus, the subject of my piece. The project itself was a cross between documentary and commercial, designed to spotlight Dianne, an ambassador for Wings for Life, while also promoting participation for their annual event, the Wings for Life World Run.
While every project I write and/or direct holds personal meaning, this one resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect. Getting to know Dianne was a privilege. She is one of the most resilient and kind-hearted people I’ve ever met. Not only did she welcome my team and I into her home, but she was vulnerable throughout the whole filming process—allowing us a behind-the-scenes look at her life. She also let me put her to work! Dianne is a quadriplegic, and we documented her participating in various adapted sports including cycling, sailing, and kayaking.
Collaborating with Red Bull and Wings for Life was an incredible experience, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity. However, working with Dianne is what made this project unforgettable. The final documentary ended up being about three minutes long, but we could have easily expanded it to 30 minutes. There was so much we unfortunately left on the cutting room floor, which left me inspired to dive deeper into the world of non-fiction filmmaking. You can find the completed project on Red Bull’s website: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/establishing-shot/establishing-shot-season-3
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Born and raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey, I’m a filmmaker who focuses on narrative work that highlights women’s voices. I love creating stories that feel authentic and grounded, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with the characters while provoking lingering thoughts and questions. Recently, I’ve been partnering with entrepreneurs to create story-driven commercials and social media campaigns for their small business. It’s been a rewarding process to collaborate with passionate business-owners and help promote something they’ve created and care deeply about.
My journey into filmmaking began in high school, where I discovered my passion through my school’s Fine and Performing Arts (FPAC) magnet program, Entertainment Technology (now known as Music Video Production). Under Scott Napolitano, I learned the foundation of storytelling and filmmaking. After graduating, I moved to New York City, where I earned a BFA in Film Production with a concentration in Directing from the School of Visual Arts. Through mentorship from Stacy Herman, George LaVoo, Jenna Ricker and other professors at SVA, I gained invaluable hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of each aspect of production.
Beyond writing and directing, I value collaboration and enjoy working with other filmmakers to bring stories to life. I am also a member of Women in Media, and am committed to prioritizing inclusive and safe environments both in front and behind the camera. Though I now primary reside in Los Angeles, I continue to return to New York and New Jersey for work whenever possible, staying connected to my roots.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Continue to fund art programs in schools!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Maureen Ryan’s “Burn It Down” is my favorite book. Anyone working in film, TV, or entertainment—especially those early in their careers—should read this book. As it’s description says, “Weaving together insights from industry insiders, historical context, and pop-culture analysis, Burn It Down paints a groundbreaking and urgently necessary portrait of what’s gone wrong in the entertainment world—and how we can fix it.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anniefleisch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniefleisch/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-fleisch
