Today we’d like to introduce you to Tessa Morell
Hi Tessa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Tessa Morell and I am a self-taught photographer, videographer, and filmmaker based in Savannah, GA. My passion for filmmaking has been present for as long as I can remember but it was in 2016 that I started creating silly short films with my friends and in 2021 created my business and began submitting my self-produced short films to competitions and festivals around the world. Due to my ongoing success at film festivals and never-ending photography portfolio, I was accepted into the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Filmmaking is something that has always been a certainty for me. It was when I first watched the movie Frozen (2013) that I decided I wanted to direct movies. I felt so inspired by the world-building, unique story, and successful female director that it was the only option that felt right for me. It was in high school that my filmmaking journey began to take off. I wrote, directed, shot, and edited several short films with my friends that can still be found online today. I would submit these films to festivals and ended up having a screening at the local movie theater of my 33-minute-long short called “Absence of Light” which I created my senior year and ended up as a sold-out show. Additionally, my short film “After Dark”, a project about violence against women, participated in many festivals and won monetary rewards from organizations such as ConnectHer.
It was also around this time I began working as a freelance artist, photographing and videoing senior portraits, weddings, sports, and more. I’ve learned so much about creative projects outside of narrative filmmaking and continue this work today in Savannah, Georgia. Getting my bachelor’s in Film & Television at SCAD, I am learning from industry professionals where I’m able to build my skill set and perfect my craft.
Today, I work as a freelance videographer for Public Tennis Inc., a non-profit organization that helps provide disabled athletes access to tennis instructions, practices, and gameplay. Additionally, I am currently preparing for the production of my senior thesis film, “Mourning Dove”, a family drama about a young girl named Hound and her relationship with her alcoholic father through the activity of hunting and butchering deer. This is my largest and most passionate project to date and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been very lucky to be surrounded by nothing but support my entire artistic career so far. Never the less there will always be bumps and struggles along the way regardless of how smooth your path is. I’ve had to face personal hardships in my time including mental health and relationship changes as well as learn how to manage time and emotions when operating with difficult people on film productions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently studying to be a writer and director for movies at the Savannah College of Art and Design so my heart is with creative productions. I also specialize in promotional and/or educational videography for businesses and organizations such as instructional training videos or event videos to promote a small business. I am also known for my portrait and event photography ranging from business headshots to weddings. What sets my work ethic and general production apart from others is my ability to ask questions, take risks, and my attention to detail. It’s important to me that everything I create is something I can be proud of and therefore I take every project I’m able to be a part of very seriously no matter how big or small.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love to read and oftentimes pull thematic influences from some of my favorite pieces of literature. Some books that have inspired my most recent project include “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls and “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong. YouTube is also a phenomenal place to learn about artistic style, communicate visions, and gain further knowledge about your field of interest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tessamphotos.wixsite.com/videography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessamorellproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessa.morell.9/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessa-morell-b79550260/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tessamorell1282
- Other: https://linktr.ee/tmorell67
