Meet Carina Posch | Writer & Filmmaker

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

Hi Carina, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the multifaceted nature of human beings; how we overcome obstacles and hardships, and then we carry on with our lives, telling stories of our experiences, in hopes that others may see themselves in them. I’m inspired by the complexity of life and individuals—messed up, yet beautiful at the same time. I love listening to people, observing them. Sometimes, there are those magical moments when I get an idea for a new film or book, seemingly out of nowhere. All it takes is a sentence or image that sparks an idea, or I suddenly visualize scenes and can hear the characters speak in my head. However, there are also times when I don’t feel inspired at all. During these times, I’ve often found that listening to music is very helpful in inspiring my creativity. I love new experiences, exploring art and photography—anything that can fuel my imagination.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been drawn to storytelling. Whether it was writing books, plays, or series when I was young. I remember getting an old PC from my dad when I was twelve years old, and writing my own television series on there because my mom didn’t allow me to watch too much TV, so in the afternoons, I typed away my stories on the computer. I particularly loved writing dialogues, saving them all on those little floppy disks. Even though I loved the arts in school and could definitely see myself pursuing that, I chose a slightly more secure career path to ensure I could provide for myself if needed. I went to school for media and communications and worked in marketing agencies and marketing departments for more than ten years. I truly enjoyed developing campaigns, brand designs, and social media strategies, but nothing could compare to the feeling when I first published my book in 2015.
I didn’t plan to be an author; I simply wanted to get the story out. I looked for an editor, hired one, and then self-published it. I didn’t tell people that I was writing a book, but I told one person, my mom’s friend, and she kept asking me about the book and she was always very encouraging. One day, I gave it to her, she read it, apparently liked it, and put it on social media. It took a life of its own. I was invited to readings and book signings. I remember how much I loved meeting readers and hearing what the story meant to them. I went on to publish my second book in 2017. In the same year, I moved from Austria to the US, continuing my marketing work in Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.
In the spring of 2021, I moved to LA to delve deeper into the art of filmmaking. I had taken screenwriting and creative writing classes in Austria, as well as workshops in London, but I wanted to go a step further and learn more about the craft of composing shots, producing, working with actors, music composition, lighting, production design, costumes, editing, sound design, and everything else that makes a movie. So, I took evening classes on filmmaking and started working on sets. In February 2023 I directed my first short film that I wrote, which is currently in post-production. I’m so grateful that I got to work with the most amazing team and an incredible cast! Since January 2023, I have had the chance to dip my toes into a documentary project for a network where I am a small part of the post-production team. Currently, I’m writing my third book and working on a few other creative projects while continuing to work on sets and in production. Along the way, there have been challenges, of course. Rebuilding my life in a different country away from the people I love and grew up with is hard at times, but I’m truly grateful for the experience, and it has enriched my life in so many ways.

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?
Starting the day with a good breakfast is a must. As an Austrian, I take breakfast very seriously. I love the Lox Bagel at Pascal’s on Beverly, a cute little café in my neighborhood. Another great place is Malibu Farm on the Pier – the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast right by the ocean. Speaking of the ocean, what is a visit to LA without spending some time at the beach? Some of my favorite beaches include Point Dume, with its scenic stroll down to the beach, El Matador, and Will Rogers State Beach. Hiking is also a must for me. There are so many beautiful hikes; a classic one is, of course, the hike to the Griffith Observatory, starting at the Ferndell Trail and grabbing a coffee at The Trails café. But my favorite hikes are located in the Santa Monica Mountains and Pacific Palisades. Another beautiful place to discover is the Huntington Library. The botanical gardens are stunning, and there is also an art museum. Speaking of art, The Broad Museum and LACMA are definitely worth a visit while you’re here. Some more fun afternoon activities include visiting the Venice canals and then renting a bike in Venice and heading to Santa Monica.
Some of my favorite dinner experiences were at the Ethiopian restaurant Merkato. I remember the first time I was there; we ordered some coffee after dinner, and they freshly roasted it right next to us – what an experience. An iconic place for good Mexican food is El Coyote. And I love the Spaghetti Carbonara at La Pergoletta in Los Feliz.
Another great way to spend an evening is watching a stand-up comedian or a movie at one of the iconic theaters or enjoying a play at the Geffen Playhouse. I also love getting cocktails at the Misfit bar in Santa Monica or at the Dresden; they even have live music on some nights!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am thankful to so many people! First and foremost, my family—the loved ones who raised me. Strong women in both my family and career have paved the way and deeply inspired me along my journey. My Mama is a never-ending source of inspiration. She started a new career path in her forties after her divorce from my father, to provide for us three girls, which made an enormous impact on me. I began waiting tables on the weekends at the age of fifteen, and I distinctly remember the pride I felt when I paid for my first used car. In my professional career, I’ve witnessed incredible strong women in leading positions. Starting out in the culture city department, the city office director provided me with the opportunity for an internship. After completing it, she offered me a job and encouraged me in my work. I remember the faith she put in me and how uplifted I always felt; this was at the tender age of eighteen, and it made an enormous impact on my career trajectory. And a special shoutout to all teachers—what would we do without them? My art teachers from middle school and my writing teachers in Vienna will always have a special place in my heart. My grandparents, along with my dad, are also a big inspiration for me. I’m so grateful for my childhood, my sisters and childhood friends in Austria. Living so far from them is hard, but they are so encouraging and supportive. I’m grateful for my husband, for supporting my creative endeavors, and giving me the space and freedom for my ideas and dreams. And I’m thankful to my newfound family in America, for welcoming me with open arms. My friends and fellow filmmakers in LA, I’m truly grateful for every person I met along the way. Finally, I’m grateful to every filmmaker and author who came before me, and inspired me at a very young age by showing me the magic of stories.

Website: www.carinaposch.com

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carina.posch.1

Image Credits
Christopher Brown