Rachell Shapiro
Rachell is passionate about telling mission-driven stories that align with her dedication to social justice and the fight for a more representational democracy. She is an award-winning producer, director and writer with over 17 years in the industry producing independent films and films for educational institutions and non-profits. She has a sharp attention to detail which is essential when managing large budgets, crews and complex production schedules. A mom of two kids, 6 and 3, she understands the necessity of balance and the luxury of being able to obtain it, even if only in small slices.
Rachell was a producer on the historical documentary film, THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, a co-production between FLOWSTATE and PBS’ flagship station, American Experience, which premiered in February, 2022. She managed the nearly one million dollar budget, collaborated closely with her partners on all creative aspects of the film and managed the intense production schedule.
She also wrote, produced and directed the award-winning film, FROM HELL TO HERE, a fictional short that journeys through the mind of an aging Veteran battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A companion discussion guide was created, co-written by a VA psychologist and used in classrooms, discussion groups and therapists offices around the country.
Her passion for telling stories through film has led her to fully appreciate the importance of listening, the significance of the story flow and the necessity and art of collaboration with her partners at FLOWSTATE, the other creatives she works with, and her clients.
How do you find your work-flow?
For me, finding my flow requires an almost zen-like mind-set to come over me. Where the world around me falls away and what I’m left with is exactly the task at hand. In that moment I feel a supreme focus and an exhilaration because I’m hitting a stride in what I’m working on - and then I work feverishly, almost as if I stop, I’ll lose that edge. The catalyst for that feeling is work that is engaging and inspiring. That can be anything from writing a blog post about a topic that I care about or working on a project for a client where something small has ignited my creativity.
Name one documentary that you would recommend.
Ava DuVernay’s film, 13th, for its content and its visual presentation. Not only do I think she did a masterful job of condensing practically 200 years of history into 1hr and 40min, but she is able to weave together the historical points and connect them to today in an engaging and impactful way, forcing the viewer do a deep dive into how and why the prison system has come to be what it is.
Who’s your favorite fiction film director?
Julie Taymor, Baz Luhrmann and Wes Anderson. They all have very strong artistic points of view in how they tell a story. I love how bold they are in their choices. Whether you agree with them or not, it’s inspiring.
What is one think you want people to know about you, that they might not?
I’m a news junkie. I watch it every morning and every night and am constantly reading up on what is going on in the world. I think as a citizen and human its our duty to stay informed and understand what is happening and why. There is so much at stake right now that there is no room for willful ignorance.
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
Yoga, mediation, and my Peloton.
What turns you off?
Inauthentic people
What motivates you?
Being underestimated