Potter Sisters (Grace & Emily Potter)

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What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
Our first professionally directed work was a music video for a local Austin band, Duncan Fellows. It was a great opportunity to collaborate creatively with the band. Though it was a music video, it followed a traditional narrative structure. This first experience was the catalyst to create more music videos as well as narrative pieces.

How did you get into directing?
We have long talked about wanting to direct. We both got our start in the industry by working in the art department on a number of projects in Austin. The role of the Director immediately captivated us, though, because they were always at the center of the action! The director has a unique role that allows them to engage with every detail of the story on a micro and macro level. It was so fun to watch.

From there, we started assisting directors and showrunners on different projects, and ultimately creating and directing our own.

What is your most recent project?
Most recently, we completed a feature script based on a previous short film proof of concept. We also recently submitted a commercial to the Doritos Crash The Super Bowl ad contest.

What is the best part of being a director?
There are so many things about being a director that light us up! It’s everything from getting excited by a story to working with cinematographers, production designers, and skilled crafts people. It’s getting to be involved in the granular details of every department. Ultimately, it’s the collaboration that takes place from start to finish in order to bring the creative vision to life.

What is the worst part of being a director?
Being the director is a blessing and a curse! At the end of the day, you are responsible for the quality and execution of the final product – good or bad.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
Our career focus right now is to shoot our first feature project.

We specialize in sincere and nostalgic storytelling with elevated visual language and a deep care for our characters. This summer we participated in the Commercial Directors Diversity Program through the DGA and were able to expand and shape our commercial portfolio, as well.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
Yes, Emily and I both have mentors that we are so deeply grateful for. Both are successful directors who have taken us in and shown us behind the curtain. Through their mentoring, they have created space for us to ask questions and have invited us to sit in on every room.

Emily’s mentor is Adam Brooks, writer and director of romcom hits like Bridget Jones’s Diary, Definitely Maybe, as well as the upcoming Netflix movie The Life List. The greatest lesson she’s learned while working with Adam is to be loyal to your story. Follow your instincts, and ensure that each decision strengthens and serves the story at its core.

Grace’s mentor is Lila Neugebauer. Grace was the associate producer on Lila’s debut feature film Causeway with A24, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry. There are many lessons Grace learned, including how to engage and give notes to actors, and when to fight for a shot. The biggest lesson, though, is to never tell yourself you will be able to come back to a shot. Capitalize on every opportunity, and get the shot on the day.

Who is your favorite director and why?
This is tough. And it changes! Grace is a big fan of Lynn Ramsey and Kelly Reichardt, Emily is a big fan of Emerald Fennell & Mike Mills. We both love the Coen brothers.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
Grace’s favorite movie right now is either School of Rock or Anatomy of A Fall, Emily’s most recent favorite is Anora. Our favorite TV shows are Industry and Yellow Jackets (and Friday Night Lights). Our favorite commercial might be the 2013 ESPN Alabama Roll tide commercial or the 2024 Ssense Spelling Bee campaign.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
We are sisters that grew up in Austin, Texas. Emily went to film school at the University of Texas and Grace studied creative writing. We got our start working in the art department building worlds for brands like Facebook, Budweiser and Nike. We also were fortunate enough to work on projects with Austin legends, Richard Linklater, Robert Rodriguez and Terrence Malick.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
When we played at SXSW, we had a lot of fun using an NFT for our own guerrilla marketing campaign. We created an NFT for our film, and anytime we were standing in line or sitting in a theater before a film, we would airdrop it with information about our short to everyone we could.

Additionally, Grace did a project with the art collective Meow Wolf. She developed and shot their interactive story for the Grapevine Museum. As you walk through the museum, you learn a story of a little boy who has gone missing. By interacting with the videos throughout, you find clues to solve the mystery of his disappearance and bring him back.

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