We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Noll James. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Rachel , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I recently completed my first directed feature – a film called INGRESS. This film, after years of hustling and hitting walls in LA, is the first project I really feel is creatively mine from start to finish. I wrote the script, I directed the film, and I played the lead character. The story is incredibly personal and I filmed it in the community where I live.

This film would not have been possible without the love and support of this community and all the incredible artists and people who rallied around me to get it made. For me, this film defined “independent filmmaking” as well as harkened back to the idea of communities supporting arts and patrons supporting artists. It was a foundational and life changing experience that has lead me and my producing partner at Emergence Films to envision a whole new approach to filmmaking… One that we hope will provide more opportunity for women and other underrepresented voices in this industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into filmmaking began with a passion for acting, drawing me to Los Angeles and Occidental College’s theater department, where I devoted four years before earning my BA. Following graduation, I immersed myself in local theater, honing my craft through classes and workshops, and auditioning all over town in pursuit of roles that would support me both creatively and financially.

My early twenties were marked by frustration as opportunities seemed scarce and progress slow. The industry’s unpredictable nature clashed with my driven personality, leaving me disillusioned with the acting grind. This discontent spurred a shift towards writing and directing, prompting a reevaluation of my aspirations and approach.

Just as I was really reaching my burnout point with the actor hustle, a chance collaboration on a film project emerged, part of a class led by an indie producer. This experience was transformative, as I assumed multiple roles in bringing the script to life, navigating through production hurdles, and ultimately overseeing distribution.

This experience was incredibly empowering because it showed me what I was made of and opened up a whole new world of possibilities in terms of creating my own opportunities. It also exposed me to the harsh realities of the industry and my place as a woman within it which fueled me to found Emergence Films and bring my focus to creating a more equitable industry for female identifying storytellers.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am passionate about bringing the female gaze to stories and genres traditionally dominated by the male perspective. I have also become a passionate advocate for women in film and supporting stories by and about women.

INGRESS is a great example of this – as it is female-centric scifi and I wager it’s unlike most scifi you have ever seen. Give it a watch and let me know if you agree!

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?

I have come to truly believe that stories change the world. Movies and media are one of (if not THE) most influential art forms in terms of shaping the trajectory of culture and society. Filmmakers and storytellers show us what the world is, what it has been and what it can be. For countless decades, these stories have been told by one demographic with alarming dominance – white men. This means that as a society and a world, our view of events, experiences and stories are mostly seen through that lens. This is a valuable lens, and one that many will relate to, but it is far from the only one.

Until we see films and stories told by other underserved populations – including women – we are only seeing one perspective on a multifaceted world. Representation matters. It shows us what is possible and builds empathy and connection. So the next time you go to the movies, think about whose perspective you are watching… and consider what the same story would feel like if told through the lens of another demographic. A person of color, a member of the LGBTQ community, a woman… see how that opens up your mind to the possibilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emergencefilms.us | www.rachelnolljames.com
• Instagram: @emergencefilms @ranojay10 @ingressfilm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-james-1a878414/
• Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3072155/

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