We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Berberich recently and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

In media and film, representation is key. Despite this, we are still seeing stereotypes of the same characters over and over again, or rewrites of the same story. Very few filmmakers take the risk of creating something original that breaks the bounds of what society expects. As a young woman in the film industry, I had very few role models to look up to. There were years when not a single woman was nominated for an award category that I wanted to be in. This issue only became more prevalent in college. I thought the education system was supposed to be a safe space to embrace self-expression and share ideas, but instead I found myself being constantly interrupted and talked over by my male peers and instructors.

After graduating college, there was one clear path for me to take: forging my own.

In April of 2024, I wrote, directed, and co-produced the short film, “The Literary Work of Imaginary Poets,” a queer love story told by a women-led team. All the above-the-line crew members were women, as well as all the on-screen cast members. I wanted to showcase a variety of women of all different shapes, sizes and appearances. In real life, love does not have a “certain look,” so movies shouldn’t either.

On set, our team’s top priority was maintaining a safe, positive, and welcoming environment. On the final day of filming, one of the main actresses pulled me aside and exclaimed, “this is the most inclusive film set I’ve ever been on!”

Making a movie is not just a beautiful, powerful act… it’s also a shared one. Creating an experience where everyone feels welcome should not be the exception, but the standard.

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?

Growing up near Seattle, WA, where rainy days were frequent, you could almost always find me curled up inside with a good book. From reading, I found my love for storytelling, which eventually developed into a love for filmmaking. I moved to California to pursue a career in the film industry, graduating from college with a B.A. in Film Production and minor in Digital Marketing. Over my film career, I gained experience across several departments, including as a production designer, prop master, BTS photographer and production assistant. Currently, I serve as the Jr. Marketing Coordinator for a women of color-led nonprofit near San Francisco. In my free time, I develop story ideas, write screenplays, and watch a LOT of movies.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Shortly after graduating, I secured a job at one of the top prop houses in the nation. For this being the start of my film career, I was feeling pretty good. My job at the prop house was incredibly rewarding; I was creating art, making connections in the industry, and gaining experience in my field. In only a matter of months, however, all of this changed.

Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that took place in 2023, me and 50 other employees were laid off. During one of the industry’s lowest points, I was unemployed and defeated, not knowing how to start over again or even where to begin.

Acceptance was the first step. From there, I was able to gather the strength and energy to put myself out there, accepting any film job that I could. Though it wasn’t how I thought the year was going to go, I am beyond grateful for the experiences I made and people I met. At first, the layoff was a big hit to my dignity. I felt worthless and confused. With time, however, this big change eventually gave me the confidence to do something I’ve always wanted to do: move to San Francisco.

Change is a fact of life. It is the ocean to which we must succumb to. Only by learning to move with the water, not against it, will you be able to discover new, rewarding places.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My favorite part of working in a creative field is the people I’ve met along the way. Every industry is shaped by its people, but there’s something about a 12-hour film set that truly brings you together. Some of my most memorable life moments unfolded on set—laughter, joy, hardship… and the resilience to push through. These experiences, and the people behind them, continue to inspire me. I like to think that each project I create carries a trace of those connections, a reflection of the many voices and stories that have shaped my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taylorberberich.com
• Instagram: @taylor.berberich
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-berberich-662701168/
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Image credits (only for the outdoor photos): Irshad Zahidi