Meet Sophia Banks | Female Filmmaker

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

Hi Sophia, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
A really important habit to develop early and one that I have always maintained is being prepared beyond what the “normal” expectations for your job require. As a Director, I find that sitting with the project, doing research, preparing your shots, digging into the story, making up a list of questions and getting as much information as you can goes a long way to your success when you get to shoot day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The great thing about art is it’s individual. Having my own way of viewing the world sets me apart simply for that reason alone. On top of that, I am a female director in the action and science fiction genres and historically that hasn’t been as prevalent although I am happy to say that gap is closing in.

I knew I wanted to make movies since I was 5 years old but I didn’t really understand that was a job or something someone could do with their life. I first started with acting classes when I was younger, then went on my first movie set at 12. It was so thrilling and all I knew was I wanted to tell stories.

I actually went to school for film and found myself being encouraged to go into what was presented as a “more attainable” position in costume design.

Regardless of finding myself on an adjacent path, I learned a lot along the way. Working in that world of design helped me understand how to use all of the departments in film to create one cohesive story. It also helped hone my visual eye and my sense of composition. It gave me the ability to see the finer details in the overall picture and it taught me the discipline of being exact.

Now I’ve shot hundreds of commercials, short films that have screened at hundreds of festivals worldwide including Tribeca and Oscar Qualifying Hollyshorts. I’ve sold projects I created to studios and am now prepping for my second feature length film.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
6am workout class at Tracy Anderson then a coffee at Alfred’s coffee – I am a huge coffee drinker and as an Aussie, coffee is everything. Alfred’s is the best place to get a proper cuppa here. Then, to balance it out, we need a smoothie at Erewhon’s. Then I would take them to Malibu, sit on the beach, go for a swim and maybe go to Nobu or The Malibu Mart to have some lunch.

I would take them to The Broad to see some art, dinner at The Polo Lounge and a drink at the San Vicente Bungalows. We would also have to do a midnight screening at The New Beverly.

No LA trip is complete without a hike, we would also find ourselves at the Academy Museum, an incredible experience for anyone who loves movies as much as I do.

Also, tacos, literally anywhere in LA because you can’t get a bad taco here. If you are vegan (or love vegan food) try Gracias Madre. I also shouldn’t even have to tell anyone this but anyone coming here for the first time needs In-N-Out Burger.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I consider myself lucky to have been able to work with so many incredible filmmakers, DP’s, Editors, Writers and storytellers that I do believe each one of them contributed to my overall success in some way or another. In the early days of my filmmaking career I was able to shadow Win Wenders and work with DP Paul Cameron who shot my first short film. Some of my first supporters of my journey include Christian Siriano who partnered with me for my breakout spot “Girls Skate”, featuring girls shredding through the moody streets of LA on skateboards wearing his beautiful couture gowns.

Website: https://www.sophiabanks.com/

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

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