Meet Elizabeth Aurora Petersen | Director & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Aurora Petersen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth Aurora, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting GlitchTV came from a mix of frustration, reflection, and ultimately a desire to take control of our own creative futures. The film industry—especially in places like Los Angeles—has been going through a lot of uncertainty, and we found ourselves questioning the long-term path we were on. We didn’t want to look up ten years down the line and realize we had spent all that time contributing to other people’s visions without ever fully developing our own.

My business partner and I made the decision to pause and really evaluate what we wanted out of our careers. We asked ourselves: what would it look like if we were in the driver’s seat? That led to the idea of building something of our own—a brand and business model where we could create projects that genuinely excite us and reflect our creative instincts, rather than just filling supporting roles.

At the same time, we were growing increasingly frustrated with the traditional distribution model. It’s heavily gatekept and lacks transparency, especially when it comes to financials. That system may have made sense when distributors were providing clear value, but in today’s landscape, that value has diminished significantly—yet the barriers and opacity remain. For us, that disconnect made it clear that something has to change.

We were also constantly seeing doom-and-gloom headlines about the state of Hollywood and the “decline” of the industry. But at the same time, we were going out into the real world—to places like Universal Studios Hollywood and various conventions—and seeing something completely different. You see fans showing up, dressed as their favorite characters, looking to connect, to belong, and to share in something they love. That was a huge reality check for us. The medium may be changing, but the audience is absolutely still there—and they’re passionate. The real question is whether you’re willing to meet them where they are.

It started to feel like a lot of filmmakers were making projects in a vacuum—creating for themselves or for the industry, rather than actively thinking about and engaging with the audience. At GlitchTV, we want that to be different. We want to build with the audience in mind from the ground up and create stories, characters, and experiences that people can actually connect with beyond the screen.

That mindset led directly into how we approached our first feature film, “Clownspiracy.” Instead of following the traditional route, we released it for free on YouTube to make it accessible to anyone, anywhere, while also planning a theatrical run to preserve that communal viewing experience. We even received offers for traditional distribution, but ultimately decided to carve out our own path. It’s definitely risky, but we believe this kind of approach has the potential to genuinely shift how films are made and shared in the future. At the end of the day, we’d rather be brave, take the risk, and see what’s possible.

We’ll also be continuing this model with my next film as a director, which will be released through our channel as well. Details are still under wraps for now, but it’s something we’re incredibly excited about and looking forward to sharing when the time is right.

We’ve also found ourselves increasingly disillusioned with the traditional festival circuit. Even major festivals like Sundance only saw a small number of films secure meaningful distribution this year, and it raises the question of value. For us, it no longer makes sense to prioritize a limited theatrical audience at a festival when we have the ability to reach a global audience instantly through platforms like YouTube.

It was definitely a risk to step away from the traditional path, but it felt necessary. We wanted to prove that there’s another way to approach filmmaking—one that doesn’t rely on industry gatekeeping, connections, or nepotism, but instead prioritizes originality, accessibility, and independence. With GlitchTV, we’re not just making films and digital content—we’re experimenting with a model that allows creators like us to build something sustainable while staying true to their voice.

We also see ourselves as guinea pigs in this process. We’re willing to roll up our sleeves, do the hard work, and even fail along the way if that’s what it takes to figure out better ways to reach audiences directly. At the end of the day, we want to make films for the people—for the actual audience that loves movies—and build a system that connects creators and viewers in a more honest and meaningful way.

Now, as we start to see the early results of that decision, it feels like we’re on the edge of something meaningful. We’re beginning to see how this approach can open doors not just for us, but for other filmmakers who want to create without waiting for permission.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
GlitchTV is a film, TV, and digital media brand built around one core idea: creating and sharing stories completely on our own terms. What really sets us apart is that we’re not afraid to fail. In fact, we embrace it. We see every challenge as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and ultimately get better at what we do. For us, the priority has always been having the freedom to tell the stories we care about, the way we want to tell them, rather than waiting for permission or trying to fit into a traditional system.

Getting to where we are today definitely wasn’t easy. We made a conscious decision to step away from the conventional path, which meant giving up a certain level of stability and taking on a lot of risk. There are real sacrifices that come with that—financial, personal, and professional—but for us, it’s been worth it to keep building something that actually reflects our vision.

Because we don’t have the kind of budgets that traditional studios rely on, we’ve had to take a very hands-on, “boots on the ground” approach to everything we do. That means physically going out and building an audience, connecting with people directly, and putting in the time to grow something from the ground up. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real—and it’s effective.

At the same time, that limitation has actually become one of our biggest strengths. We’re able to move quickly, operate with little to no overhead, and work with small, agile teams. We can make films faster and more affordably than traditional studios, and with each project, we’re sharpening our process and improving the quality of our work. Every film we make is a step forward.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned along the way is that there’s no single “right” path in this industry anymore. The traditional model isn’t the only option, and for us, it’s not the most exciting one either. There’s real power in being independent, in taking risks, and in being willing to figure things out as you go.

What we want people to understand about GlitchTV is that it’s more than just a production company—it’s an evolving experiment in how stories can be created and shared in a new era. We’re building something that prioritizes creativity, accessibility, and a direct connection with the audience. It’s not always the easiest road, but it’s the one that feels the most honest—and that’s what makes it worth it.

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?
We would go to Los Tacos in Pasadena for the potato tacos—they’re insanely good and kind of a must. I’d probably take them to Cha Cha Matcha in West Hollywood for a strawberry matcha. It might sound basic, but it’s actually worth it.

We’d also spend some time thrifting on Melrose—there are so many good spots and it’s always fun to dig around and find something random.

For something more “LA,” I’d try to line up a Cinespia screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Dressing up and watching a movie in the cemetery is such a fun, unique experience.

Other than that, I wouldn’t over-plan it. I’d just explore, find good food, and see where the week takes us. That’s honestly when LA is at its best.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One person who absolutely deserves a shoutout in my journey is Christopher Rossiter. During my undergrad at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into cinematography. While USC offered an incredible overall foundation—especially with its directing-focused curriculum—I found that there weren’t many opportunities to really specialize in cinematography. In fact, some of the classes I tried to enroll in were even canceled due to low enrollment.

That led me to look elsewhere, and I ended up taking night classes at Los Angeles City College. That decision turned out to be one of the most impactful parts of my education. Christopher Rossiter, who teaches there, was an incredible professor and mentor. I took both grip & electric and cinematography courses with him, and they were some of the most hands-on, practical, and genuinely instructive classes I’ve ever experienced—honestly even more so than some of the “higher-profile” programs out there.

What really stood out was how much he cared about his students. He went out of his way to create opportunities for us to learn, including organizing open lab sessions where we could come in on our own time and get comfortable with the equipment. That kind of access and encouragement made a huge difference in building both confidence and real-world skills.

His classes reinforced the idea that great education isn’t about prestige—it’s about passion, access, and people who are genuinely invested in your growth. I always recommend that anyone in Los Angeles, no matter what area of filmmaking they’re pursuing, take one of his classes. It’s an experience you won’t regret and one that can truly shape your path as a filmmaker!

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