Elizabeth Celi, PhD

EMC2 Films
Assistant Director, Screenwriter and Director

Gold Coast, Australia

Member Since:
March 2018

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

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About Elizabeth

EMC2 Films brings 16 years of consulting as a psychologist to the film industry in the Assistant Director's department, as a screenwriter and film/stage director.

That my full name initials match up with Einstein's life-changing energy formula (e=mc2) keeps me honest to live up to the transforming storytelling I expect of myself as a writer/director. The same energy transfers to ensuring I support and facilitate production for other inspiring filmmakers in their AD department.

As a 1st AD on several short films to date, my firm but gentle voice on set supports all cast and crew to stay on schedule while maintaining good energy among the team. Supporting the director and DOP to tick off everything on their shot list, while all necessary admin/logistics are done within the hours required, is where my sharp focus excels.

As an independent filmmaker, I have a thing for human vs. society (or should I say, society vs. human?!) stories. There's so many "should" and "must dos" out there, how can I not utilise narrative fillm-making to mock false gods and open up possibilities for more joyous living?!

I've written two feature, dram-edy screenplays (refer to their loglines below) now in their 2nd draft re-write. My third feature dram-edy screenplay (draft in the making) pretty much mocks some way-outdated societal structures through our Quirky Psych protagonist! "The Quirky Psych" is soon entering development for production in 2020.

Some things of my life as a psychologist couldn't help but sneak into my filmmaking. I have written and directed three short films to date addressing male suicide ("Alternative Futures"), women's passive-aggressiveness ("Birthday Bitch") and immigration post WWII ("Dare the Seas").

My 3rd short film "Dare the Seas" - based on the true story of my late mother's immigration to Australia from Italy in 1960 - is currently doing the film festival circuit.

My stage director is on the up and up. As a former stage actor (my way of coping with my intense PhD days researching genetics and clinical depression), I have key insights in how to best work with actors on stage and for screen. Having directed a comedy stage play early 2019 to delighted audiences, I am now in development to direct my next two act comedy stage play in 2020. Watch this space!

Get in touch when you need freelance Assistant Director support and/or screenwriter expertise for your production.

Where you need a Director for your drama, comedy or dram-edy, let's chat about your script and see how I can support you bringing it to life on screen, drawing out awesome actor-camera chemistry with a focused crew on board.

Unique traits: Rome was home over 2014-2017 where we watched the production for Sceptre and Zoolander 2 next door to home. Literally. Our neighbourhood in the historical centre of Rome was a film or TVC set most days. The "1000th" take on the Ferrero Rocher ad finally had the ladies skirt "blow in the wind just right" when he rode by on the moped!!! What a trip watching their intense review of the rushes. 2017 my videographer and I took off on a documentary-filming road trip through 16 States of the US before resting up in Peru for 3 months logging the footage. Now in Australia, the docu-film is in post-production while I write another dramedy and direct another stage play :-)

Gender:
Female

Hair color:
Brown

Eyes:
Green

Badges

Photos

Documentary mid-production test screening of selected interviews. Focus group members are rating and critiquing the interviewee and content.

Documentary production interview with our MRI specialist sharing the ins and outs of brain activity during meditation and symbolic recognition.

Documentary production interview with Dr. Laura Bellg, physician and author discussing the science and patient reports of Near Death Experiences, a phenomena medical science and practice now needs to take more seriously if they want to understand energy healing.

Loglines

Mothers Inc. Budget: $100K - $1M | Comedy Claire & her husband have to pass the melodramatic Mother’s Inc. tests before she’s 40. If they can’t hack random parental simulations by the obnoxious Academy, how will they handle kids in real life?!
The Gucci Nun Budget: $1M - $5M | Comedy Sister Sarah cleans the cartel money and keeps the town safe, but when the secret daughter she adopted out comes back on the scene, all hell breaks loose.

Credits

Bloodline (2019)
Film (short) by Lionfire Productions 1st AD When magic won't prevent a tragedy but becomes a perfect tool for revenge.
Kindling (2019)
Series by Siren Productions 1st AD Online dating is enough to drive you crazy...go fake with insta-perfect or find your best match with ... a new found ... pet.... yep, the crazy world of online dating.
Hunter (2019)
Series by Greenrange Productions 1st AD When you have a PI in the family...and someone messes with your Dad's life, expect some hell to be paid.
Remember - our innate connection to planet Earth (2016 - 2019)
Documentary by EMC2 Films Writer/Director The docu-film series presents interviews with academics, researchers, energy healers and directors of research/healing institutes reminding us of our connection with that mysterious bioenergy we carry as humans. Exploring the connection of our bioenergy with that of our Earth is currently in production, as we interview experts who can teach us how this link and collaboration between us and our planet actually works.
Birthday Bitch (2018)
Film (short) by EMC2 Films (Drama) Writer/Director Where being TOO nice becomes a recipe for being a bitch.
Dare The Seas (2018)
Film (short) by EMC2 Films (Drama) Writer/Director The power of hope and courage. After two years anxiously posing as a single woman, Sofia faces the moment of truth with immigration. Will they see her sacrifice over these last two years and help her re-unite with her husband and daughters?Currently in the background circuit of Film Festival land, this short is based on the true story of a post WWII migrant to Australia.
Alternative Futures (2018)
Film (short) by EMC2 Films (Drama) Writer/Director It can be a delicate topic. It can be scary to unravel. But did you know that clinical depression can make you think in ways that grind you to the ground? It can make it seem like there are only two options, or none at all. Once we step back and check out the faulty thinking, suicidal thinking doesn't need to have half as much of the power people typically give it. There are options. Let the alternative futures begin...