Ella Astbury excels creatively in two completely different disciplines: Filmmaking and dance. Through both of these fields, Astbury (‘26) expresses herself in a myriad of ways.
Creative Style
Ella Astbury primarily serves as a screenwriter, producer, and occasionally director for the films she works to create. Astbury is influenced by surrealism and the filmmaker David Lynch to create her own unique version of this approach to filmmaking.
“I like to make people feel uncomfortable,” Astbury said of her films. “I like to make things that make people think.”
Astbury’s love of this style of filmmaking is best showcased in the short film Acidall, which she co-wrote, co-directed, and produced in the spring of 2024 as a part of her Filmmaking I class. Running at around 7 minutes, Acidall tells the story of a student’s spiral into addiction after taking some of his roommate’s medication. The film went on to win Best Picture– Short and Best Editing at the Second Semi-Annual Chauncey Awards, hosted by Champlain Film Society and Women in Film.
“When I finally saw it on the big screen, it made me realize all that went into it and how hard everyone individually on set worked for it,” Astbury explained. “It was really cool to see all the work we had put into it.”
Creative Process
Astbury draws inspiration from the people she loves in order to help shape her creative outlook on filmmaking. She specifically cites the other filmmakers and her friends she works with at Champlain as these inspirations.
“They’re all very confident and passionate about what they do, so it helps me be motivated and inspired,” Astbury said.
When working on a project, Astbury admits she often struggles with self doubt and whether the final product will turn out as she envisioned. During the process, she will occasionally go back and forth with herself on whether or not a project is a good idea.
“It’s definitely a lot of sitting down with myself thinking, reflecting, doubting myself,” Astbury stated. “As that goes on, there’s a point where I start to think it’ll be okay.”
Dance
In addition to being a major presence in the college’s film scene, Astbury also has another artistic talent: Dance. During her time at Champlain, Astbury has been a member of the Champlain College Dance Team, where she is now a Dance Captain.
In middle and high school, Astbury described herself as a “dancer,” but ultimately chose to leave the performance art behind. This is due to her feeling like she was “the worst one in all her classes.” However, when arriving at Champlain she chose to give dance another chance because of the less competitive environment.
“It’s really improved my confidence…everyone just comes together,” Astbury expressed. “I really love it.”
Advice
When asked if she had advice for other creative people like herself, Astbury suggested, “fake it ‘til you make it.” Although she thought this answer was “pretty cliche,” Astbury believes that projecting confidence when working on a project helps to develop actual confidence in yourself and the work you create.
“There’s been so many times where I’ve been really down on myself and really lacking in confidence, and I’ve learned that if you pitch an idea confidently or do something with confidence it makes everyone around you feel like, ‘oh she knows what she’s doing’ and makes you feel that way as well,” Astbury stated. “Even if you don’t actually have confidence, you can kind of fake it in a way that gradually over time will make you manifest that confidence.”
Whether it’s on the written page and on the dance floor, Astbury’s creativity and love of her craft is undeniable, making her a stand out in both artistic fields.
