Meet Alyssa | Director

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

Hi Alyssa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My story is about letting go of the entrepreneurial path. Over the years, I moved through many professions—from programmer and interaction designer to art director and startup founder—often working across different countries and fields. While each role shaped me, I repeatedly ended up feeling limited. Especially during the time of building a business. I was looking for a profession that would allow me to use a wide range of contrasting abilities I am passionate about.

After overthinking it for a while, I shifted my focus to working with my body, which eventually cleared my mind and unlocked the calling to become a filmmaker. I decided to take a leap of faith and began preparing myself for the world of film by gaining experience on sets and working through the challenges of my first projects as they came. Curiosity and a genuine enjoyment of the process kept me going. I completed a year-long cinematography program and worked both as a director and DoP. While my current focus is directing, I enjoyed switching between both roles. I’ve never regretted following this path and if I were to pursue entrepreneurship again, it would be in a field that feels more aligned now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My first love has always been music. When I began my career as a cinematographer, I ended up working with Apple Music. Later, as I focused more on directing, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into the world of sound design. I’m genuinely happy to finally embrace my different passions without guilt or the pressure to stay in one lane. That’s been a major shift since moving to the U.S. While some clients and agents can still be a bit narrow-minded toward polymath-type professionals, the people I meet and collaborate with feel deeply aligned.

I love telling stories without dialogue. Where images and sound intersect, you can communicate in a universal, inclusive language. I’m always excited to work on projects that allow me to practice this language.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just moved from New York so I am still exploring myself. So far in my top 3: Barnsdall Park picnics, Malibu beaches and hikes in the Elysian Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
BARBORA PYTLIKOVA – https://www.instagram.com/barbora.pyt
Choreographer, Movement Director & Dancer

And to me a friend that always supports me and that I bounce all my creative ideas off.
Especially if I work with models, athletes or dancers.

Website: https://www.aliasen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asen.ali/