Life and Work with Ashley Goddard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Goddard.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey began when I was 19 years old, just a small town Montana girl arriving in the big city of Phoenix! I had a lot of hopes and dreams and over the course of a decade, I would discover so much about myself. Around the age of twenty-five, I decided to go back to school and I began my academic journey at Paradise Valley Community College. I began working part-time as a student worker in the counseling department and that is where I met all the people that would jumpstart my creative spirit. There is so much to be said about higher education and what it can do for an individual. It wasn’t just about earning the grade to obtain a piece of paper that would further my career, it was about my emotional development as well. PVCC is where I grew into the woman I am today. I had the help of teachers, peers, and amazing academic counselors to teach me to pursue what I loved. With a passion for creative writing and a love for cinema, I decided to jump into screenwriting. I took two semesters of screenwriting and I loved every second of it.

Now, I never considered that being a woman in the world would be a disadvantage. I never thought that there was ever any reason that I couldn’t do or be exactly what I wanted to be. One day, in that screenwriting class, our instructor gave us a lesson about women in film, not just the actors but the writers, producers, directors, production assistants, etc. It seemed that film was a tough industry for women. It was a man’s world. But our instructor’s encouragement to all the women in that class empowered us to keep moving forward in a film. I stood strong in my convictions and my passion for what I loved and I knew that my work and creative mind would take me where I needed to go. I had the opportunity to be the assistant director to a short film and that fueled my curiosities and I knew that film production was something I wanted to pursue.

Shortly after I graduated, I was offered a job at a local production company called Media Solutions, Inc. and over the past three years, I’ve worked my way up from Production Assistant to Producer. I learned as much as I could in that position and over the last year, I have been working on building my own production company. It started with doing some video work for local musicians who needed some video content for social media, and in the last year, I decided to try my hand in Wedding Videography! As with any new business, it takes some time to grow but with multiple music videos and one wedding, I’ve developed a portfolio that I’m proud to share with the world and a real passion for creating something memorable.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am so proud to be a woman in the arts. Building a career and a business from nothing but my passions, hard work, and a little bit of luck has been an amazing accomplishment for me. I must have decided on a career and changed my mind at least a dozen times. I went from studying history to psychology to yoga and life coaching, all the way around to video production. The one thing that has remained consistent in all of that is my creative writing, my creative mind, and my desire to make a difference in the world.

I want to be an example for young girls out there who are curious and passionate and creative. I would encourage them to pursue an education, not only for the degree but for the personal development it provides. I would encourage all women to not take no for an answer and to continue to grow and build upon what they love. Change your mind! And then, change it again! Because you can. Know if you don’t fail along the way, then you’re not learning. So, no matter how many times you fall, just know that there is a whole other journey waiting for you when you pick yourself back up.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Wallflower Creative Media – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a small business owner in video production. Wallflower Creative Media was created out of my desire to have my own ideas brought to life. I love creating something from nothing and sharing it with the world. I take pride in the work that I do and knowing that I can ALWAYS improve upon it. I’m always learning something new in this industry and taking ideas and turning them into reality. If something doesn’t work then I go back to the drawing board. But I am always moving forward.

I film, usually with a two camera set up (one on a tripod and the other on my shoulder), I set up the sound, I work with lighting, and I edit. I do all of this as a solo filmmaker and I love it! Wallflower Creative Media is all about an experience. Whether I’m filming a music video, a wedding or a business promotional video, I want my client to know how special they are. I want them to feel that their art or their personal moments are being captured with professionalism and personal care.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
My advice to other women just starting their career is to stay true to their passions. Do what you love even if other people think it’s silly. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to change your mind.

Pricing:

• Music or Promotional Videos: $200
• Essential Wedding Package: $1800
• Additional Services (Documentary Edit): $300
• Additional Services (Sneak Peek): $200
• Additional Services (Love Story Documentary): $500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wallflowercreativemedia.com
• Phone: 602-931-9561
• Email: wallflowercreativemedia@gmail.com
• Instagram: @ashleysunshine86
• Facebook: Ashley Marie Goddard

Image Credit:
Cherise Briggs

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