Meet Elizabeth Aurora Petersen | Director, Producer, Writer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Aurora Petersen and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth Aurora, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in a cult.
Everything in my life was extremely monitored and censored. In that environment, the only place that I could truly be myself was through art and abstraction.
I remember very clearly at the age of 10: I was walking down the hallway and stopping short of crossing into the next room, when I heard two members of my extended family speaking in hushed tones saying… “you can’t let her get too independent…she can’t go down that path of becoming an artist”. I remember feeling a pit in my stomach, realizing that they were talking about me.
In cults there is a conscious suppression of one’s uniqueness for the good of the group. It’s a very oppressive life. Especially for a woman. It was then that I realized members of my family were capable of actively plotting against me in pursuing my true calling in life. I had to hide in my shell essentially to get through my childhood. So many thoughts and ideas had to be left unsaid. I think under those circumstances pure self-expression through art becomes a means of survival, a necessity….a way of maintaining your soul when the easier option is to succumb to the unrelenting pressure to blend in with the herd.
I’ve always had this burning drive to tell stories through a visual medium and finally express my voice in an unfiltered way, nobody was ever going to change that. It’s just inherent to who I am.
I eventually got out by going to film school. It was a bumpy ride, and in some ways still is…but I won’t give up my voice even if it would be easier to.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think it’s important to remember that even if your career isn’t exactly where you imagined it would be, the one thing you always have control over is yourself. You can create something tomorrow with whatever tools you have at your disposal. That mindset has always guided me—I call it the “shut up, stop complaining, and go make something” method. It’s never failed me. If you’re frustrated by a lack of opportunity, write a short script—2 to 5 pages—and go shoot it with whatever gear you’ve got. Honestly, that’s how most of my early work came to life. The film industry is really just a game of not quitting. Just learn to be scrappy and adopt a no-excuses mentality and keep going.
Recently, I co-founded a production company called GLITCH TV, where I direct and produce projects alongside my business partner, who is also a director/producer. We currently have a slate of feature films and television projects in development, along with a web division focused on short-form comedy content. Eventually, I’d love for GLITCH to become a home for other like-minded creators to help bring their ideas to life as well.
Right now, I’m wrapping up post-production on an episode of a mini-series I directed called The Great God Pan, based on the novel of the same name. We’re also finalizing VFX on a feature film I produced, and I’m currently in pre-production for another feature I’ll be directing this summer. There are a few more exciting projects on the horizon that I can’t talk about just yet, but it’s a really exciting—and busy—time, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
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’d probably catch a show at one of my favorite old haunts, Alex’s Bar in Long Beach. I’d also take them to Old Town Music Hall to watch a classic film accompanied by a live pipe organ, which is such a unique LA experience. And no visit would be complete without a stop at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater—there’s something magical about those performances, no matter your age. Of course, it feels practically obligatory to swing by Randy’s Donuts at some point. The Comedy Store is also always a good time.
When it comes to food, I’d take them to Tacos Tu Madre, and then over to Trattoria Farfalla in Los Feliz for pizza where we’d wrap it up with my favorite dessert torta della nonna and a side of fresh whipped cream.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to give a shoutout to the crew members and fellow artists who were willing to work on my early projects for little or no pay. Being an artist is already a tough path, and finding your creative tribe—people who are willing to collaborate and build something meaningful with you—is everything. It meant the world to have people generously donate their time and energy to help bring those early visions to life. I’ll never forget that.
I also want to thank Professor David Cowper from Palomar College in San Diego. He taught a critical thinking and writing course that really stuck with me. One of the most memorable parts of that class was reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene—which, at the time, felt incredibly eye-opening. He was a challenging and inspiring teacher, and more importantly, he was the first person who ever truly encouraged me to write. His support came at a pivotal moment in my life—when I really needed to feel seen and heard, maybe for the first time.
To Professor Cowper: thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re a reminder of just how deeply professors—and mentors in general—can impact a person’s life. The world could use more people like that.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glitch.tv.official
Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user10196273
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
