Dear Art Producer: A Conversation with Elisa Morse – Founder & Executive Producer of Piece Mill

With each episode, Dear Art Producer aims to bridge the gap between the photography and advertising communities, offering invaluable insights and fostering a sense of camaraderie among industry professionals. This week I sat down with Elisa Morse, founder and Executive Producer of Piece Mill, a commercial production company.  After stumbling into commercial production and learning the ropes, Elisa made the leap to an on staff producer at Snapchat in its heyday.  While there, she became passionate about the authenticity, connection and reach that social media can provide and combined that insight with her production know-how to see production through new lenses and serve all screens.  Founded in 2018, Piece Mill is a female-owned and led forward-thinking production company that specializes in client-forward work.

The Power of Social Media and Authenticity

At Snapchat, Elisa’s passion for authentic storytelling was ignited. She began to understand the incredible reach that social media platforms offered and how they created an opportunity for brands to engage in a genuine way with their audiences. But it wasn’t just about reach—it was about the kind of content that resonated with people. For Elisa, it became clear that authenticity wasn’t just a buzzword but a necessity in today’s marketing landscape. Brands need to speak from a place of truth if they want to connect with consumers meaningfully.

This passion for authenticity and connection is what drove Elisa to found Piece Mill in 2018. As a forward-thinking production company, Piece Mill emphasizes creating client-focused work while understanding the need to serve all screens, from social media to more traditional outlets.

A Female-Owned and Led Company with a Client-Forward Approach

Elisa spoke at length about Piece Mill’s philosophy. The production company is unique in that it’s female-owned and led, a distinction that shapes its collaborative approach to working with clients. Elisa stressed the importance of creating a space where clients feel heard and valued. For her, production isn’t just about delivering a product; it’s about fostering a partnership that results in work everyone is proud of.

At Piece Mill, the goal is to be flexible, adaptive, and proactive in serving clients’ needs in an ever-changing production landscape. Elisa shared that this adaptability is key, especially when working directly with clients, as the industry continues to shift toward more immediate and direct collaboration between production companies and brands. She also wishes that artists kept in mind that clients are people too.  It’s so easy to put them on a pedestal as these all powerful gods -- but they have a lot of much pressure on them, especially now. Bosses to appease, complex and changing corporate structures, data markers to hit from campaigns for success.

The Value of Relationships in Production

Another critical theme in our conversation was the importance of relationships in the production industry. Elisa noted that so much of this business relies on the strength of personal connections. Whether it’s collaborating with a team on set or securing new projects, the relationships you build can make all the difference. For her, creating genuine connections with clients, crew, and other producers has been instrumental in Piece Mill’s success.

In a world where technology and trends are constantly changing, one thing remains the same—people want to work with those they trust. Elisa’s dedication to maintaining these relationships is a core value at Piece Mill and one of the driving forces behind their client-first approach.

Facing the Challenges of Client-Direct Work

While Piece Mill thrives in client-direct work, Elisa also acknowledged the unique challenges that come with it. Navigating client expectations, budgets, and creative vision can be complex, but it’s something that she and her team are well-equipped to handle. She stressed the importance of maintaining flexibility, being willing to pivot when necessary, and always keeping open lines of communication with clients to ensure the best possible outcome for a project.

The Evolving Landscape of Production

One of the highlights of our conversation was Elisa’s perspective on the rapidly changing nature of production. The shift to digital and the dominance of social media have altered how brands approach storytelling and advertising. For Elisa, the key to staying relevant in this landscape is understanding the different “lenses” through which content is consumed. It’s not just about producing for one platform or another, but about creating adaptable content that resonates across multiple screens and mediums.

Elisa’s insights are invaluable for anyone in the production industry, especially those looking to carve out their space in a crowded and competitive field. From her unique career journey to her passion for authentic storytelling and client-forward production, she offers a roadmap for how to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.

Conclusion

Elisa’s conversation was both enlightening and inspiring. Her journey from theater to Snapchat to launching Piece Mill highlights the importance of flexibility, authenticity, and building strong relationships in the production world. If you’re interested in learning more about the challenges and rewards of client-direct work, the significance of authenticity in storytelling, or simply want to hear from a female leader in the industry, this episode is a must-listen.