We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lilith Mo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lilith below.
Hi Lilith , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I got my work ethic partially from my mother. When I was younger, she would take me to work with her when there was no one to watch me at home on school holidays. Over the years I witnessed how hard she worked to build a better life for us and always looked up to her. So when I entered the MFA program at USC with no prior film experience, I tried to soak in as much as possible and worked every role I could on set – PA, G&E, 1st AD, scripty, boom operator, camera assistant, etc. The countless 12-hour days helped me catch up with my peers but also completely took over my life. I even felt guilty for missing just one weekend on set. However, during Covid, I took some time off. Hiking in the woods, watching waves on the beach, and sharing a good brunch with friends reminded me of how much I missed these simple joys in life. Now there’s a balance I’m striving to achieve.
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’m an independent film director and producer. One of my recent projects, ‘Seraphim,’ a short horror film produced during my time at USC, received the Jury Award for Best Student Short at the 2023 Austin Film Festival. Last October, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Oscar Ramos, the talented director of ‘Seraphim,’ again on our latest venture, a thriller titled ‘They Know Not What They Do,’. This film marks Oscar’s feature debut, and it is currently in post-production.
I am proud to say that as a producer, I have demonstrated a strong history of narrating stories that shine a light on minorities. It’s my mission and joy to spotlight female and LGBTQ+ cast and crew members in key positions. For example, “Odd/Even”, currently streaming on the YouTube channel DUST, is a sci-fi short film with an all-female/LGBT+ key crew. It delves into a young woman’s quest to break free from an abusive relationship in a future where human beings take turns to hibernate every other year.
As a director, I co-directed “Jack & Lou”, a gangster romance about the love story of Al Capone’s right-hand man, “Machine Gun Jack”, starring Linda Hamilton, Natalie Shinnick, and Sebastiano Pigazzi. My background as an international citizen positioned at a cultural crossroads serves as a primary wellspring of inspiration. I’m fascinated by narratives that delve into multicultural viewpoints on universal themes such as generational trauma, gender identity, and cultural belonging.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think accountbility is a very valuable quality for whatever position you are trying to pursue in film. Unlike a lot of other art forms where you work alone, film is a collective effort. Everyone need to work together to achieve the common vision. Passion and talent can get you in the door, but only self-discipline, problem-solving and reliability can get you far.
Another important aspect is to keep watching more movies. It may seem like a no-brainer because filmmakers love watching films; that’s why people aspire to work in the industry in the first place. However, when you work 12-hour days on set or when you feel like your brain is melting after a 7-hour production meeting, the capacity to still appreciate the art form you love is essential at the end of the day.
Finally, overcoming the fear of missing out is probably one of the most important steps in the journey to become a better filmmaker and a happier person. It is a highly relavent issue in the film industry and in a big city like LA. Knowing that there will always be events, parties, or networking opportunities happening simultaneously can create a constant sense of urgency. However, recognizing that it’s okay to prioritize your well-being, personal time, and the quality of your work can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. It’s about making choices that align with your goals and values, even if it means occasionally saying no to certain opportunities in order to say yes to what truly matters to you.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always looking to collaborate with other filmmakers. I provide development, pre-production, and production management services for emerging filmmakers and commercial clients. Feel free to hit me up on Instagram if you are looking to collaborate.
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