Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel E. Dickholtz.
Hi Angel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story as a filmmaker started in 2017. I worked on as many short films and editorials as I physically could, mostly working in New York City as well as Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. My first job when I moved to NYC in 2018 was as a personal assistant to celebrity hairstylists, men’s groomers, and makeup artists from agencies such as The Wall Group, Starworks Artists, and Atelier Management to name a few. Crazily enough, my first day was on Valentine’s Day; I remember getting to assist with Theodora Richards and Olivia Holt while they were doing press junkets for New York Fashion Week. This line of work frequently had the opportunity to be behind the scenes at so many studios, such as Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, SNL, and Good Morning America, through different guests they had on. My “big breaks” were in 2019 when I had the opportunity to work backstage on Rosario Dawson’s show at New York Fashion Week, followed by my campaign work with different designers at New York’s Bridal Fashion Week. I leaned harder into feature films that year as well, starting with “The Country Club” and “Wild Indian.” I also worked on “The Letter Room,” which went on to receive an Academy Award Nomination in 2021. From 2020-2021, I worked on eight feature films.
In 2021 I began taking on more projects as a Producer, and in 2022, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, for a full-time position as a Show Producer with a non-profit production company, where I ended up meeting my now husband, Austin Dickholtz. We relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2023 after producing three pilots and various podcasts. Shortly after, we Co-Founded A&A Cinema LLP for the different productions and gigs we take on.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My first years were full of saying “yes” to almost every project I could fit into a day. I love working in NYC and that hustle and bustle that propelled my schedule full of opportunities during that time. I would work 36+ hours straight, going from gig to gig depending on the month. My mindset now with taking on work is “how is this going to build my network, wallet, or portfolio?” But starting out, I didn’t have that luxury, so my work/life balance could get off kilter and lead to burn-out. I have had to be diligent in how I manage my time at work and off work to best serve my clients and myself. Practices like yoga and baking have always helped, but the forced downtime in 2020 helped me set better habits and routines. My husband is also great at supporting me in that balance; I am thankful to have Austin.
The current state of the film industry is also a challenge, with the strikes that have taken up the majority of this year. Industry work has been scarce, but Dallas has been a blessing. Fortunately, there are a lot of commercial and indie productions throughout Texas, and only more headed this way. It is encouraging to be setting roots in a growing community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been working as a freelancer for nine years and seven years in filmmaking. I am proud of the fact I have worked on such a wide variety of projects, from feature films to red carpets, to commercials and editorials. I love being in this industry, and I love that it keeps me on my toes. I was taught when I was starting out that you have to work hard, be kind, and know when to be quiet. I took that to heart while was on the job with some of the best-of-the-best in the industry and shadowed them; this brought the pleasure of working with talent such as Oscar Isaac, Gordon Ramsey, Ariana Grande, Matthew McConaughey, Sebastian Stan, Julia Garner, Karen Gillan, & many more. There are so many inspiring artists and entrepreneurs I have had the pleasure to work alongside and I would not be here today without those opportunities. I don’t like to broadstroke it as “being lucky” but as seizing “luck”. Anyone can get lucky if you’re in the right place at the right time, but you have to be ready for anything in this line of work and dive headfirst into an opportunity without getting in your own way.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in mostly Oklahoma City, where I was born, and prior lived in Colorado from ages 1-7. I am the eldest of five siblings: three brothers and a sister whom I love dearly. I was homeschooled, and I practiced photography in middle school and high school. At the age of 17, I got my first job at the front-desk of a thirty chair hair salon in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma and soon took on inventory management, where my relationship with luxury brands like Oribe, R+Co, and Kerastase originated. I attended cosmetology school while in high school and graduated from both in 2015. After graduation, I began full-time as a hairstylist behind the chair for 2 years before making the move to NYC at the age of 21.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/angelelizabeth
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theangelelizabeth
- Other: aandacinema.com
Image Credits
Deny Media
Danielle Elizabeth
