Conversations with Emilee Picthall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilee Picthall.

Hi Emilee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a love for movies and television. In elementary school, you would find me begging my sister and friends to make movies with me–they were absolutely terrible, but that’s where everything started. From that moment forward, I would spend birthday and Christmas money on things your typical elementary school student wouldn’t: cameras, green screens, movie clappers, etc. I even created a brand new version of my school’s morning announcements during my 5th-grade year.

My love for making videos grew more throughout junior high and high school. I eventually found myself interviewing athletes on the red carpet at the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, creating videos for families and companies in Disneyland, walking the Universal Studios backlot, and landing my first professional video job when I was still in high school.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would love to sit here today and tell you that everything was sunshine and rainbows, but that’s not realistic. As for lots of other things in life, you have to work for it. I am thankful that I found my passion at a young age, but that doesn’t mean it was a smooth road.

The biggest struggle I faced was when I was studying at Grand Canyon University. I manifested (for many years of my life) living in California and working within the movie industry there, but as I began to hear first-hand experience and stories from my professors, I realized that it wasn’t the path for me. I never once thought about running a video production business full time, but after working a “big girl job,” I knew it was time for me to leave the corporate setting and dive into my business. With that came lots of struggles. I would often find myself asking, “Do I really need the extra camera?” or “What! Business insurance is how much?” It’s crazy what you will do for something you’re so passionate about.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Owner of Retramé Studios, a video production company. We have a wide range of clients and a wide range of video types–commercials, music videos, dance concerts, destination weddings/elopements, etc. We love creating relationships with all of our clients and love creating content for them on a reoccurring basis. The best people are clients who turn into friends.

I would say we have a very funky and retro, yet timeless look to our videos. We are not afraid to try new things and bend the rules. This business operates on creativity, so we strive to make our videos look unique and not cookie cutter. When you do what you love as a job, fun and work can begin to blur together. With that being said, passion projects and projects that may not generate an income, are some of the things that keep my creativity brewing.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
It was just a reminder that life is short and that you can plan all you want, but life still goes on. Do not take anything for granted and live your life to the fullest.

I would never want to look back on my life and regret not doing something because I was scared or insecure. Just remember, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@retramestudios.com
• Website: www.retramestudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/retrame.studios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/retrame.studios

Image Credits
Haylee Peyton Photography
Eunice Beck Photography