Sara Shelton is a writer, director, and comedic storytelling performer.
She got her start as a writer at creatively led agencies such as Droga5 and Johannes Leonardo, working on brands ranging from Prudential to Pure Protein. During these years, she simultaneously pursued improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade and sketch comedy writing at the PIT in New York City. In 2010 she up and moved herself to Costa Rica for a while so let’s just skip over those two years since not much happened that’s relevant here.
In 2017 her work for Sugar Mutts Rescue blew up around the award circuit and the same happened in 2018 for her Country Time Lemonade work, resulting in multiple wins including six Cannes Lions (Gold ones too!). She’s directed commercials and creative content for brands such as Walmart, Sprint, Tide, Bank of America, Hormel, The Container Store, and Johnsonville to name a few.
In 2022 her debut short Teddy Bear had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and screened at many other festivals around the world.
Sara’s agency experience paired with her perceptive nature and improv background brings a unique voice to her commercial work. She firmly believes there is truth in comedy, and vice versa. She’s drawn to what’s real, what’s relatable, and what’s funny because it’s true.
You should call her. She’s super fun to work with.
Let’s meet Sara!
What’s your origin story?
I loved growing up in El Paso, Texas. Border towns are the best. But I have journals from my teens filled with angst and cliches like “I want to travel the world and climb every mountain,” so it’s not surprising that I was ready to get the heck out of dodge when I started gaining independence.
Plus, I was raised by really funny parents, my mom especially. Being drawn to humor and always wanting to see what’s over the next hill led me to where I am now.
How did you get into film?
Remember those “click here and get a free iPad” web banners? I worked for that company for 7 months (I’m so sorry). My uncle (shout out to freelance CD Michael Kirby!) gave me a real talk and said I should be a copywriter. I thought he meant, um, legal book stuff and was lowkey offended. He rolled his eyes and said “google Miami Ad School” which changed my life. And now I can proudly say I haven’t internet-scammed anyone since 2003.
I worked in agencies for about a decade, feeling a bit lost at times until one day on set, it clicked. I loved the industry, but I was caught up on the wrong side of it. Once I started directing, I rediscovered all that passion I had at the beginning of my agency career. That passion ultimately led to a love for filmmaking in longer formats as well as commercials.
Who were your mentors?
My aunt Rama is a successful writer in LA and my kindred spirit. She’s my “career advice” person when I get scary ideas like writing and directing.. Years ago I had an idea for a screenplay but thought writing it would be a waste of time since I could never get it made. She said, “who cares, you gotta spend your days doing SOMETHING anyway.” That really stuck with me. Just work on stuff, life is long, so who gives a shit?!
While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
I wrote and directed a short film/pilot that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. We shot most of it before the pandemic and the rest after. It was such an ambitious project, especially given the circumstances, but we finished it and I love how it came out.
REELated:
What drives you to create?
Ultimately, I’m a fan of film. Watching stories affects me deeply, I laugh at everything, I cry at everything. It took me a long time to figure it out, but in hindsight, my path would always lead to telling them myself. I want to make people feel the way other films have made me feel.
Award you crave, but haven’t won
Dare I say… an Oscar? Perhaps I should answer with something more attainable, but whatever.
What shows/movies/songs are doing the best job of portraying strong women on TV?
The women of SNL are absolutely hilarious. They steal the spotlight every episode, and honey, I am HERE FOR IT.
Is there still a boys club?
Honestly, don’t get me started. The needle is moving, but not as quickly as the industry likes to think it is.
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour. Name a famous woman (living or dead) you would like to attend each function with
Coffee with Oprah
Lunch with Tina Fey
Happy Hour with Lizzo
What keeps you up at night?
Does anyone else think about how the weeks feel long, but the months feel short, the years fly by… and one day we just… die? Super uplifting, I know. But there isn’t enough time to do everything we want to do with our lives! Especially with so much reality TV to get through, you know?
Nominate Someone You know For Reel Women
