Mariah Isabella: Teen Filmmaker & Creative
Mariah: Hey y’all! I’m Mariah Isabella ! I’m 16 (zodiac sign is a cancer for all y’all astrology lovers) and I am all about creating pieces that tell a story. My language is film, and that’s how I personally express my feelings whenever I’m down or upset and even when I’m extremely grateful. I write and direct all my own stuff and I love making funny skits with my friends ( for example we made a whole series about E-girls after it became a trend). I love abstract art and I’m currently designing a clothing line with my own prints and making them as abstract as I can! I love traveling all around because fresh new faces keep my imagination going! As I’m a junior in high school right now, I’m learning how to make a positive difference in that community because I know how hard it is to be a teenager.
Question: Talk to us about how you first got into film? What/how did you get introduced to it?
Mariah: I actually got into film because of a few events that transpired! I’ve always been the “director” type since I was little , id have my family act in my little pretend games, but as I got older I became a lot more shy so I spent my time watching movies and I had come across Jurassic Park one summer and instead of going to my friends birthday parties - I watched it on repeat😂 because I was so fascinated with the production! My dad started a non profit organization interviewing people and sharing their testimonies of how they became believers in God. I was around 10 and I got to see how a live audience and television program worked. It was so awesome and I remember thinking that I wanted to see more of this. Then I moved to California right before the start of middle school and became really self conscious and I actually was bullied all of 6th grade and a lot of people thought I was really weird because I didn’t look like them and I was very very sheltered 😂 So I started a YouTube channel with my dolls since I didn’t have friends and it became pretty successful which fueled my passion for making videos and being creative even more so. I entered one of my films WITH DOLL ACTORS into my schools horror film fest and it was super EMBARRASSING 😂 because the whole audience laughed when it came on. I cried when we came back home and my family thought that I’d never make another film again, but in actuality it pushed me to be better.
Question: Speak to us about your films, which one is your favorite? What is it about and what’s the message?
Mariah: My favorite film would have to be the newest to the bunch, “Don’t Blink” purely because I’ve struggled a lot with my parents divorce, and finishing this production allowed me to finally let go of the frustration and sadness that came along with it. In my family there’s a generational curse of divorce and rough marriages - my dads parents are divorced - as their parents are as well, and on my moms side - my grandmas dad left them and started a new family. Since I was little, I have made it my mission to break this cycle. I felt compelled to base the story around my grandmas life because my biggest fear is disappointing my parents, so the fact that my grandma purely being a female (her dad wanted sons) was what made her dad unhappy, made me sad that she had to endure that. I wanted to show everyone that I see them- I see their fears and thoughts because I have the same ones that fester in my mind that I don’t tell anyone about.
Question: Wow, that’s incredibly powerful. Do you feel your emotions is the lead drive in all your work? What gives you inspiration?
Mariah: Yes! I use all the emotions and events that have left an impression on me in every single thing I write. Also music is a giant inspiration of mine. When I was writing “Dont Blink” I actually had Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish on repeat! The tones and track of music put me into a zone that allow me to pour my soul into what I write. And that’s where the message and intent comes from I think. When you’re meant to do something bigger than yourself I believe finishing that project or taking the first step is going to be hard because personally I try to make my work enjoyable in every first draft rather than just doing me. But when I do just me without placing false expectations on myself - it becomes about others and I think that’s the biggest inspiration ; helping others.
Question: Speaking of inspiration, who is your biggest inspiration? What is it about them that inspires you?
Mariah: I absolutely LOVVVE A24 productions! As of right now Quentin Tarantino inspires me to go absolutely crazy with my films and try experimenting with characters / scenes / etc because his stuff is so wacko and I love it. But I mostly am inspired by people. I am what you call a “people watcher” and I am the type to observe my surroundings. I find inspiration in just about everything from the way a person walks to the way they act around someone.
Question: Who has been your biggest supporter to your work?
Mariah: It’s pretty amazing because anyone that I share my passion with supports me on a level I’m so grateful for but the biggest supports are my parents. My mom acted in my very first film I made called “Lovely” and my dad is the one I come to with all my ideas and he’s always there to listen and give advice. I appreciate quality time very much, so it always means a lot to have my mom and dad help me. My dad teaches me to be self sufficient and my mom teaches me to not take no for an answer
Question: How are you coping with the current covid-19 pandemic? What do you do with your free time?
Mariah: Well I’ve already dyed my hair 😂 But jokes aside, I created a magazine for people to send in anything they’ve created during this quarantine called QUARANTEEN 2020 , which you’ll be seeing very soon 🤪 . It’s a magazine showcasing all the wonderful work they’ve made and I’ve made during this time- and a few pieces about self exploration and how being alone with your subconscious might serve for some healthy habits when we get out of this.
Question: So cool! We can’t wait to see it :) Do you have any advice for teens following your footsteps?
Mariah: Ahh! Yes! My advice: CREATE! CREATE! CREATE! Don’t let the fancy equipment or “experience” stand in your way of doing what you love because nowadays the best camera fits in your pocket, and nowadays the best stories begging to be told come from YOU!! I started with dolls. There’s so many solutions when you stop focusing on the problem that prohibits you from filming, acting, drawing, singing, etc etc. The biggest way to further your skills and career would be the become prolific with your craft. Another thing to add to what I’m working on that pertains to this advice: And if you’re interested in that - coming this summer is what I call the #creativebeastchallenge - a 21 day challenge where you create for 21 days straight 😝including prompts to feed your creativity. I did this challenge last year around this time and the creative watering hole hasn’t dried out since ! 😝
Question: Any last things you would like to add before we conclude the interview?
Mariah: I’m very excited to see what y’all create! Thank you for this!
Thank you! That ends the interview <33
Mariah’s Biography:
Mariah Isabella is a 16-year-old filmmaker and creative from Los Angeles California. She loves being creative in any way possible whether it’s making her own clothes or making funny skits with her friends! She aspires to continue telling stories that will help others live life unapologetically.
Films on her YouTube : Mariah Isabella : https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCh0rPNlCA4KHbOG2s5j4avg
Question: Talk to us about how you first got into film? What/how did you get introduced to it?
Mariah: I actually got into film because of a few events that transpired! I’ve always been the “director” type since I was little , id have my family act in my little pretend games, but as I got older I became a lot more shy so I spent my time watching movies and I had come across Jurassic Park one summer and instead of going to my friends birthday parties - I watched it on repeat😂 because I was so fascinated with the production! My dad started a non profit organization interviewing people and sharing their testimonies of how they became believers in God. I was around 10 and I got to see how a live audience and television program worked. It was so awesome and I remember thinking that I wanted to see more of this. Then I moved to California right before the start of middle school and became really self conscious and I actually was bullied all of 6th grade and a lot of people thought I was really weird because I didn’t look like them and I was very very sheltered 😂 So I started a YouTube channel with my dolls since I didn’t have friends and it became pretty successful which fueled my passion for making videos and being creative even more so. I entered one of my films WITH DOLL ACTORS into my schools horror film fest and it was super EMBARRASSING 😂 because the whole audience laughed when it came on. I cried when we came back home and my family thought that I’d never make another film again, but in actuality it pushed me to be better.
Question: Speak to us about your films, which one is your favorite? What is it about and what’s the message?
Mariah: My favorite film would have to be the newest to the bunch, “Don’t Blink” purely because I’ve struggled a lot with my parents divorce, and finishing this production allowed me to finally let go of the frustration and sadness that came along with it. In my family there’s a generational curse of divorce and rough marriages - my dads parents are divorced - as their parents are as well, and on my moms side - my grandmas dad left them and started a new family. Since I was little, I have made it my mission to break this cycle. I felt compelled to base the story around my grandmas life because my biggest fear is disappointing my parents, so the fact that my grandma purely being a female (her dad wanted sons) was what made her dad unhappy, made me sad that she had to endure that. I wanted to show everyone that I see them- I see their fears and thoughts because I have the same ones that fester in my mind that I don’t tell anyone about.
Question: Wow, that’s incredibly powerful. Do you feel your emotions is the lead drive in all your work? What gives you inspiration?
Mariah: Yes! I use all the emotions and events that have left an impression on me in every single thing I write. Also music is a giant inspiration of mine. When I was writing “Dont Blink” I actually had Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish on repeat! The tones and track of music put me into a zone that allow me to pour my soul into what I write. And that’s where the message and intent comes from I think. When you’re meant to do something bigger than yourself I believe finishing that project or taking the first step is going to be hard because personally I try to make my work enjoyable in every first draft rather than just doing me. But when I do just me without placing false expectations on myself - it becomes about others and I think that’s the biggest inspiration ; helping others.
Question: Speaking of inspiration, who is your biggest inspiration? What is it about them that inspires you?
Mariah: I absolutely LOVVVE A24 productions! As of right now Quentin Tarantino inspires me to go absolutely crazy with my films and try experimenting with characters / scenes / etc because his stuff is so wacko and I love it. But I mostly am inspired by people. I am what you call a “people watcher” and I am the type to observe my surroundings. I find inspiration in just about everything from the way a person walks to the way they act around someone.
Question: Who has been your biggest supporter to your work?
Mariah: It’s pretty amazing because anyone that I share my passion with supports me on a level I’m so grateful for but the biggest supports are my parents. My mom acted in my very first film I made called “Lovely” and my dad is the one I come to with all my ideas and he’s always there to listen and give advice. I appreciate quality time very much, so it always means a lot to have my mom and dad help me. My dad teaches me to be self sufficient and my mom teaches me to not take no for an answer
Question: How are you coping with the current covid-19 pandemic? What do you do with your free time?
Mariah: Well I’ve already dyed my hair 😂 But jokes aside, I created a magazine for people to send in anything they’ve created during this quarantine called QUARANTEEN 2020 , which you’ll be seeing very soon 🤪 . It’s a magazine showcasing all the wonderful work they’ve made and I’ve made during this time- and a few pieces about self exploration and how being alone with your subconscious might serve for some healthy habits when we get out of this.
Question: So cool! We can’t wait to see it :) Do you have any advice for teens following your footsteps?
Mariah: Ahh! Yes! My advice: CREATE! CREATE! CREATE! Don’t let the fancy equipment or “experience” stand in your way of doing what you love because nowadays the best camera fits in your pocket, and nowadays the best stories begging to be told come from YOU!! I started with dolls. There’s so many solutions when you stop focusing on the problem that prohibits you from filming, acting, drawing, singing, etc etc. The biggest way to further your skills and career would be the become prolific with your craft. Another thing to add to what I’m working on that pertains to this advice: And if you’re interested in that - coming this summer is what I call the #creativebeastchallenge - a 21 day challenge where you create for 21 days straight 😝including prompts to feed your creativity. I did this challenge last year around this time and the creative watering hole hasn’t dried out since ! 😝
Question: Any last things you would like to add before we conclude the interview?
Mariah: I’m very excited to see what y’all create! Thank you for this!
Thank you! That ends the interview <33
Mariah’s Biography:
Mariah Isabella is a 16-year-old filmmaker and creative from Los Angeles California. She loves being creative in any way possible whether it’s making her own clothes or making funny skits with her friends! She aspires to continue telling stories that will help others live life unapologetically.
Films on her YouTube : Mariah Isabella : https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCh0rPNlCA4KHbOG2s5j4avg