Meet Lizzy Hogenson | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizzy Hogenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizzy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk means something different for each person. No one can tell you what an appropriate level of risk is for your career and life. However, there is no progress, no change, without risk. I took a big risk by leaving a good job in finance, and moving across the country on a feeling that I knew that I always wanted to work in film. But it was also a calculate risk, I moved to LA to pursue an MA in Film Studies at USC, so I came here with a plan and the possible backup plans a field of study like that might offer. When I finished the program, I used the several months to work on a short film. I’m really lucky that the film did really well, so it’s a risk that paid off. I think it’s easier to take a risk when you enjoy what you’re doing, and you know your basic financial obligations will be met. I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking big risks, but I also had to make other sacrifices along the way to be able to afford (emotionally and materially) to take those risks.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I primarily work in stop motion animation and other traditional art forms. I’m a very tactile person. I’ve always needed to interact with things and be in the moment to learn, so I think it’s extended to my work. I’ve never done anything traditionally or through a traditional route, so that also extends to how I approach my art. I think this is something that serves my work in stop motion animation and tactile arts, since they’re really about problem solving. And while there are ways to do things, your creativity is the limit.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s been so long since I’ve been anywhere, I’ve almost forgotten what I liked to do in the “before times.” But, reaching way back into my memories, I’d probably start the day with pancakes at Bea Bea’s in Burbank. Then, we’d drive over to the Getty Villa. After that, some fried seafood at Neptune’s Net. After a nice drive through LA traffic, driving past some more of the iconic sites, we’d hit up the Griffith Observatory– it’s one of my favorite LA icons. In the evening, we’d head downtown, and have dinner at Grand Central. Then hit up Clifton’s Republic or another downtown bar before hitting a late night movie at the Vista or one of the other venues that has midnight screenings of older films. Bonus if it’s on 35mm.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It would be hard to single in on one element or person that I can attribute my success to. It kind of mirrors real life success, and even how filmmaking is a collaborative art form, that it’s a sum of a lot of little “yes”. gestures and moments that results in the big moments. Success is rarely one big moment or push, but a lot of little efforts and moments of affirmation that, when you look back, make a complete picture. For me, it’s my dad tolerating a cross country drive with me, so I could move to LA, a grant board giving me some money to work on my short, and all of those supportive friends and partner who tells you to keep going when you doing thing you have it in you. So, thank you to everyone who supportive me or believed in my work over the past few years.

Website: https://www.lizzyhogenson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_hog/?hl=en

Image Credits
All photo credits Lizzy Hogenson