HEATHER FIPPS

There are two things that I feel define me as a person. The first is that, I believe education is the most powerful resource we have to address the challenges we currently face– socially, economically, and environmentally. Second, I believe that the ability to communicate through visual storytelling – a medium that transcends language – is fundamentally vital to understanding one another and expanding our perception of the world. This is why I am both a filmmaker and an educator.







As a visual storyteller, I am passionate about the impact that stories, images, and artistic expression can ignite. I have multifaceted experience in media production from development through delivery, multimedia design and live/virtual event directing. I have a strong background in narrative film, and I regularly produce short-form non-fiction projects that give insight to the incredible work of social service organizations from around the world. I approach fiction and nonfiction projects in the same way, by putting empathy at the center of the project's purpose, working with kind and ethical colleagues, and intentionally partnering with communities that deserve our attention and support. I have leadership experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders, and maintaining exceptional organization while overseeing concurrent productions.
As an educator, I am committed to amplifying diverse perspectives, expanding media literacy, and empowering the next generation of storytellers. I currently work as Assistant Professor of Television, Film, and Media at California State University Los Angeles where I serve as the Founder & Director of Community Impact Media, a community engagement initiative that partners student filmmakers with local non-profits to create social impact documentaries. I am the Faculty Director of the MFA in Content Creation and I serve on the CSU Environmental Sustainability Committee. I am also a Certified Trainer of DaVinci Resolve, AVID Media Composer, and an Adobe Creative Educator.
As a collaborator, I began working in the entertainment industry in the Art Department as a Set Decorator and Production Designer for various productions by Netflix, CBS, PBS, BBC, SyFy, Hulu, including commercials, political campaign spots, and independent films. I’ve also worked as a scenic and projection designer for several Off-Broadway theatrical productions including Fanshen Cox’s One Drop of Love and John Fleck’s Blacktop Highway. In an effort to expand my academic interests and creative ideas in to the field of documentary filmmaking and social impact, I decided to attend graduate school.
Since graduating with my Master of Fine Arts degree in Television, Film and Theatre, my work has focused on short-form nonfiction media pieces that give insight to the incredible work of service organizations from around the world. I've produced short-form content for clients such as the Los Angeles Children’s Court, California Air Emissions Board, and the New Jersey State Department of Health, as well as social cooperatives in the Italian and United States Prison systems. Notably, I directed and edited the documentary Process Collettivo, which followed the process of artist Mark Bradford at the Venice Biennale. This year, I was honored to have been invited to join the Junior Executive Board of Young Entertainment Activists. At this time, I am particularly interested in expanding my work in education to the field of impact media.


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