Meet Stephanie Roussinos | Videographer, Editor, DJ, Artist Management, Social Media Manager

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

Hi Stephanie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Take risks! It’s the scariest thing in the world to make a jump into the unknown, but if I stayed where I was I’d still be working a 9-5 mundane job wondering, “what if”?

After years of following through with university and landing that classic job that pays salary and benefits, I found myself to be extremely unhappy. I had the opportunity to totally redraft my life after my relationship tore me into pieces, and forced me to truly reflect on what makes me happy. I quit my “safe” job, bought an expensive camera I didn’t know how to use, and signed up for film school not knowing what direction I was headed. Film school led me to meet my new boss where I began working for a television station learning all sorts of behind the scenes control room positions like audio, assistant directing, and eventually directing the show on my own 5 years later. During the first few months of buying that brand new camera, I also just knew I wanted to make really cool recap edits for DJ’s. I admired Leah Sems video work with Rezz, and thought I was capable of reaching for those goals. I decided to reach out to Neon Steve, a local DJ/Producer in Victoria playing a show that weekend and said I’d shoot and edit a recap video for him for free not knowing what I was doing, and he said yes. I worked so hard to turn that edit around for him the next day, and it resulted in creating a lifelong friendship and working relationship that has lasted to this day. To sum up, he loved my work, and I knew I could continue to do better each time.

This was only the beginning.

I managed to dive head first into the music scene in BC creating content and blossoming friendships with some of the better known DJ’s on the West Coast which eventually resulted in me filming at both Shambhala Music Festival and also creating the Aftermovie for Bass Coast, one of the most well-curated events in my opinion in Canada. I worked every moment of those 5 years to take any gig I could, and go beyond the time and energy I had to make videos to the best of my knowledge at that time.

When Covid hit, I lost all of my work opportunities. And had nothing to really fall back on. I missed music, and the energy it provided for me.

So, I decided to learn how to be a bedroom DJ. (for fun).

However, once my friend Neon Steve heard of this, he brought me onto his Twitch channel and told me I could open for his first show back post-covid. I was honoured, yet so terrified given I literally just started and had no clue what I was doing. But again, November came around post covid, and I said yes.

That yes resulted into a catapult of shows the following two years… and it’s all because of that initial risk of diving into film, getting to know the music community, gaining trust, showing respect, etc. I was lucky enough to play Rifflandia Music Festival, Bass Coast, and Burning Man the past two years and have been so incredibly grateful to be given opportunities like that at such an early stage in my DJ career.

I feel like my life has changed for the better once I stepped out of my safety net of planning and knowing what each step is. Oddly enough, the more I don’t know, the less I plan, the more I follow my gut, the more opportunities that fall into place that I never would expect. And I have to say yes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel really blessed to be where I am today, and NO it was/is not easy! I have never worked so hard in my life, but I absolutely love every moment of it, and would not trade it for the world. Nothing is better than being sought after for your shooting/edit skills and to not have marketed myself at all over the last 8 years of my career. Every gig I get is from word of mouth and I always seem to have something new coming in as soon as I wrap up a project!

To sum up, I am a videographer, editor, DJ (ROUSZ), and now Artist Management for a few DJ/Producers in the house music scene. Feels like I cover a wide range of skills within the Festival scene, and its so great to have knowledge and connections in each specific area.

By starting filming with one of the better known artists on Vancouver Island at the time, I had the pleasure of honing my skills with Neon Steve, and then later being approached by other artists who had seen my work such as the Funk Hunters, The Librarian, Marten Horger, SkiiTour, RUMPUS, Bedouin Soundclash, Astrocolor and more. Each of these connections has been vital to my success and growth within the Western Canada Music Scene.

What sets me apart from others in terms of being a videographer/editor… I feel like my knowledge and passion for music really intertwines how I pursue any editing project. The music is equally as important as the footage I capture, and to be able to edit a storyline with energy and a build behind it takes time, mindfulness, and consistent reworking. I have extremely high standards and my goal is to continuously outdo my previous work. I’ve had helping hands such as Jim Vanderhorst bring me out to Bass Coast back in 2017 I believe to shoot for the first time at Bass Coast, and to connect me with other artists such as Shiny Things and more for videography work. I’m grateful to those who supported me and allowed me to grow within the industry.

The hardest part of this industry is communication, and to not take anything too personally. I’m pretty sensitive and shy so it’s definitely one of my biggest challenges. I feel like every project has its own new learning opportunity, and therefore continue for growth continues with each shoot/project.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was coming to visit Victoria I’d focus on the food and outdoors! We have so many wonderful restaurants in the city. For coffee, I’d definitely wander over to Little June, The Parsonage, or Cafe Fantastico. Breakfasts, either Charlotte and the Quail as all of their food is locally sourced and so beautifully presented, or the Village Restaurant in Oak Bay to enjoy an amazing brekkie and wander down to Willows Beach for a stroll along the sandy beach after! I love hanging out down by Dallas Road, doing cold dips in the summertime in our secret little cove, hiking in East Sooke Park, Caleb Pike, or enjoying my little yard! Hopping on the bikes from where we live and heading out to Matheson Lake for a dip and lunch would be a solid 55 Km ride round trip and a fun day to connect and get exercise with good chats! My favourite all time spot for dinner will always be Il Terazzo. The food and ambiance is unmatched, and is always a special place to bring newcomers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d have to say 110% my friend Steve Robertson (aka Neon Steve – DJ/Producer). He changed the trajectory of my life more than he knows. Not only did he allow this nobody young girl to just film his show back in 2017, but he vouched for me and brought me along for the ride allowing me to grow my skills, film him at festivals, create his first music video, film and edit his Pleasensations sets for YouTube, allow me to DJ on his Twitch channel, give me my first live DJ gig, and eventually introduce me to my now partner, Danny. He’s been supportive, kind, generous, and is so extremely talented. His production abilities are insane, and I feel like he deserves to be on some of the biggest stages performing his art. I wish for him to get the opportunities of his dreams to “make it”.

Additionally would have to say a big thank you to Andrea Graham (“The Librarian”) for allowing me to expand both my video and DJ skillset in the festival scene. Being brought onto the Bass Coast video crew to film the Aftermovie was the pivot point for me where I fully stepped into being a full-time videographer. And also being asked to DJ on the 2023 Bass Coast lineup was extremely profound for me. I feel like the last 8 years of working in the scene as a videographer really gave me the connections I needed to be able to succeed in any area of interest within the festival and music world.

Instagram: @panopticsfilm / @rousz.official / @sonikartists

Image Credits
The Real Matt Love Ethos Imagery Pic Jer Photo Victoria Music Scene Magmazing Music Adam Lee