Meet Elizabeth von Isser

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth von Isser. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elizabeth, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
As a multi-hyphenate, I like to keep my creativity alive by always trying new things. Since I seem to be both left brain and right brain, sometimes those things are artistic, but creativity can be found in organizational and critical thinking pursuits as well. I guess the key is to keep busy and recognize that sometimes you’ll experience phenomenal success, and sometimes you’ll fail – but regardless of the outcome, you’ll always be growing and learning.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was always a chorus and theater geek in High School and dreamed of performing on Broadway, but there was also a “practical” math and science part of me that won over when I went to college. After graduation, I went on to work in the aerospace/defense industry in a variety of engineering positions – so in addition to the other hyphenates, you could add industrial, assembly, project, and operations engineer to the list. But I never gave up my dream to perform. Even while working full-time, I still participated in community theater and scratched that itch.

But for me the most important hyphenates of all are those of wife and mother! I left my corporate job to be a stay-at-home mom while my boys were growing up and during that period worked part-time from home as a make-up artist, specializing in corrective and camouflage makeup. I’m so proud of our two sons who have grown to be incredible adults and thank God for my husband every day who has always been my biggest cheerleader.

After becoming an empty nester, I delved even deeper into my creative choices, as a painter, copper and silversmith jeweler, and actor. Although primarily acting in local commercials and independent films, my largest role to date is that of Mother Comely in the feature film The Wall by award-winning director Philippe Van Leeuw. In it, I play opposite award-winning actress Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Old, Corsage). It was recently released in Europe but hasn’t made its debut in America yet. I can’t wait! There are whispers of a premier in Tucson, so I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Covid was a game-changer in so many ways. The way I changed was by learning how to transition from stage and film to voice acting. I have been blessed to be a main character in an award-winning soap opera audio drama called Forever and a Day for over two years now! We begin recording our fifth and final season in January 2024. I also voice characters in two additional scripted audio dramas: Everyday Women and That Vampire Show. Coming soon is an audio drama from award-winning playwright Andrew Biss entitled Leah’s Gals in which I portray Leah’s best friend Pearl.

But the best is yet to come! I spent the last year and ½ writing my first feature film script which has already won awards in three different screenplay competitions. I’ve always heard that if you’re not being offered the roles you want, make your own content – so I did. We are in pre-production on Kate Hugo: Diamond Detective Agent (title at the time of this article). Think Knives Out meets The Book of Eli meets The Sixth Sense. It’s a “whodunit” with a cast of interesting characters, set in a post-cataclysmic environment with a touch of the supernatural. In addition to playing the lead role, I’m also executive producing, which is a whole new experience. Learning the ”business” side of “show business” has been very eye-opening, educational…and a bit terrifying all at the same time. Thank God I’ve been able to gather a group of producing partners who are as passionate about this project as I am and have the experience we need to succeed!

We are fortunate to have been accepted for fiscal sponsorship through From the Heart Productions (a 501c3), which means all donations and sponsorships will be considered a charitable tax deduction. I encourage everyone to visit our website at https://katehugo.com to sign up for our newsletter and find out more information about the film. We will be shooting in the spring of 2024 in Tucson and Arivaca utilizing local talent and crew.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I could go back and tell my younger self three things, they would be 1) Don’t underestimate your abilities, 2) You can do or be anything you want and 3) Don’t be afraid to fail. One of my favorite quotes is “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” (Winston Churchill)

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with! Independent filmmakers, agents, managers, casting directors, acting coaches, writers, artists, film crew, editors and more. For people without experience but a willingness to learn, I enjoy pointing them in the right direction. I may not be able to help them, but I may know someone who can. I welcome people to contact me via my email actress.elizabeth.vonisser@gmail.com

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Paul Van Helden

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