Leslie Iwerks is an Academy Award and Emmy-nominated director and producer. For over a decade, she has produced, directed, and edited award-winning feature and short documentaries, television specials, tributes, corporate films, and digital content. Her credits include “The Pixar Story,”
“Citizen Hearst,” and “Pipe Dreams.”
“Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table” hits Netflix today, May 1.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
LI: The story of the most amazing female culinary and hospitality pioneer!
W&H: What drew you to Ella and her story?
LI: When I was first approached about the project, I was instantly intrigued by the true life story of a magnanimous business woman who started her career in the ’40s as a restaurateur in a male-dominated industry. She pioneered so many new innovations in the restaurant world, including the creation of Banana’s Foster, Jazz Brunch, and putting California wines on the map in the southern United States.
W&H: What do you want people to think about after they watch the film?
LI: I hope they will feel inspired. This amazing woman came from nothing and created one of the country’s most successful restaurants and had a total blast along the way. She reminds us all to work hard, but have lots of fun along the way.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
LI: It was a relatively inexpensive movie, more of a labor of love, so I had to wear a lot of hats I haven’t worn in a while. But fortunately I have a great team around me at my production company, Iwerks & Co., and we pulled it all together and are very proud of the result!
W&H: What’s the best you’ve received?
LI: The best advice came from my father, who said, “Do what you love and the money will come.” I have made my own business, primarily in the documentary world. I formed a company and am having a great time juggling a staff overseeing multiple projects and traveling the world. I am crazily addicted to learning and experiencing.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
LI: I never think about being female: I just do what I do. I think every director should work hard, study your craft, and aim to be the best you can be. Don’t be shy going after what you want.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
LI: Kathryn Bigelow is my favorite woman director. She’s a bold director and chooses such hard subjects to film. She is courageous and so commanding of her subject matter. She can handle the sensitive and the dramatic.
W&H: There have been significant conversations over the last couple of years about increasing the amount of opportunities for women directors yet the numbers have not increased. Are you optimistic about the possibilities for change? Share any thoughts you might have on this topic.
LI: I can only hope and work towards change in this industry. I never think about being a woman director, much like Ella Brennan didn’t think she was an outlier in a man’s world in the restaurant business. She just did it.
I haven’t focused on any limitations because I have the confidence in myself and have so far communicated that to those who have contributed to my career growth.
