Meet Valerie Veteto | Writer and Filmmaker

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

Hi Valerie, how do you think about risk?
I spent my twenties working for a record label, moonlighting as a music journalist, and working my ass off for any gig related to the music industry or writing available to me. Eventually, my intense interest in music morphed into film, and I had the chance to co-write and co-direct a short narrative film called Strawberry Milk with a close friend.

I was in my early 30s, newly sober, and still financially recovering from my “bottom” — a recovery term for whatever hell you dig yourself out of. At a crucial point during pre-production, I realized the self-funded film would eat my slowly growing savings entirely. This was my first major calculated risk with a fully clear mind, and I went for it because I believed in the film and the healing power of creating collaborative art.

Thankfully, a successful Kickstarter campaign came through and helped buoy most of the finances.

I lean equally on my passion and pragmatism when evaluating creative and professional risks. In this economy, you have to. I know I’m on the right track when I get tunnel vision about subjects. If the story stays with me. If I find myself in the creative flow. If I can learn something from the people involved. Then, I typically go for it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Aside from film, I’ve been writing professionally for 15 years. I started as a decidedly not pregnant 20-year-old editorial intern at Pregnancy Magazine, writing about whether pregnant women should dye their hair and getting to know the mailroom. Now, I’m a senior content strategist writing about a creative tool for designers and developers.

I’m not sure what sets me apart aside from being really, really stubborn. Writers need chips on their shoulders, at least long enough to cold-pitch editors and then sweatily wait for replies.

As time passes, I believe more and more that thoughtful and constructive feedback is a gift. It isn’t personal, or it shouldn’t be. I was told early in my career that I wasn’t a good writer by a boss. (Not the constructive kind of feedback.) Thank God I didn’t take it to heart or let it stop me. Writers deal with a lot of feedback that can feel emotionally charged. Unfortunately, sussing out the workplaces and editors who can compassionately deliver feedback is often a hard-won skill. I’m grateful my spidey senses for healthy interactions are finally fine-tuned.

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?
I live in Los Feliz smack dab between The Vista Theater and Los Feliz 3 Theater.

Get bagels and orange juice at Yeastie Boys
Hike around Griffith Park and ogle the telescope/view at the Griffith Observatory
Walk down Hillhurst Ave. and stop in at these shops: Spitfire Girl, Kado, and Pierce & Ward
Walk over the Shakespeare Bridge, built in 1926
Late lunch at Alcove Cafe (gotta get the Short Rib Melt)
Film at The Vista Theater
Pie and a decaf coffee at House of Pies

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My co-collaborator (Sarah Klearman) and I learned as we went through each phase, and we couldn’t have done it without thoughtful and patient guidance from our friends, family, and film community. It truly takes a village. (And it took us three years from start to finish!)

I was living in Austin at the time and want to give a shout-out to the special film community who helped me feel less like a freak for wanting to make a short on my own.

– Director Brad Abrahams for explaining how to approach a first short film: minimal film locations, length of short, number of crew.
– Austin Film Society for its budget-friendly online classes on filmmaking.
– Hyperreal Film Club for its sheer giddy love of bringing people together through oddball film
– Blue Starlite Drive-In for letting me work for them on weekends. The employees there introduced me to Eric Rohmer and told me Elvis Presley lore in between screenings.

Website: https://www.valerieveteto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerehhh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieveteto/

Twitter: https://x.com/grlsgonevinyl

Other: Strawberry Milk Trailer: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6HYTt-OkIv/