Director, Cinematographer, Writer, and Editor

Leah J. Gouin

My passion for filmmaking started off as a seed of self doubt. Growing up, I had a hard time expressing myself in a way that most people could understand: spoken language. I could never seem to find the right words for any thought or emotion that I had.

The language of film is magical, and not just in its writing or dialogue. The way a shot is oriented, the tone of the lighting, the weighted moment of silence or the quickness of a cut can make you laugh as easily as it can make you cry. As an aspiring director, I get a thrill from achieving a powerful visual moment. I love seeing actors connect with both their own characters and each other in real time.

As much as I love the creative aspects of filmmaking, my various projects and professional experience have also taught me the importance of logistics. The scheduling, the organization, and the budgeting are all key to creating a happy, healthy environment on set, as well as keeping the creativity alive.

Film can show you new perspectives. It can make you think. It can start conversations. It can solve problems. It can bring people together, and it’s something I want to be a part of.

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My Experience

My relevant work experience includes studio production assistance, social media video production, and editing.

Production Assistant Student Staff: At the video studio, my role involves assisting with University of Michigan student, staff/faculty, and alumni productions in any way that is needed. This often was camera operation with a multicam setup, but also included helping with lighting, sets and props, dolly grip, and various other production tasks. The productions we put on for clients include but are not limited to short films, music videos, and live performances.

Social Media Creative Staff: At RoosRoast, my role as a part of the Social Media Creative Staff is to collaborate with other staff to storyboard, shotlist, produce and edit short-form video reels to be posted on RoosRoast social media platforms. These reels are to market company products, events, and processes.

Social Media Video Content Intern: At Interlochen, my role as a Social Media Video Content Intern involves the daily production of both short and long form video content for all of Interlochen’s social media platforms, including but not limited to Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, and Facebook. My responsibilities included curating and producing as well as editing said content..

Download My Resumé (PDF)

University of Michigan Duderstadt Video Studio

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Camera operation, shot composition, lighting design, & equipment setup/strike.

Aug. 2024 – Present

RoosRoast C0ffee

Social Media CREATIVE STAFF

Short-form video design/planning, production, editing, and marketing.

Jun. 2024 – Present

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Social media video content intern

Production of short-form reels and long-form narrative content, editing, and marketing.

Jun. 2024 – Aug. 2024

My Skills

These are skills that I’ve aquired through my projects.

Directing
Cinematography
Editing
Writing

Directing

DIRECTOR
- Cohousing | Short Film | 2025
- Clocks | Short Film | 2025
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
- Brain Cancer is for Pussies! | Feature Film | 2026
- Dream With Me | Short Film | 2026

Editing

EDITOR
- Rite of Passage | Short Film | 2026
- No Vacancy | Short Film | 2023
- Sex & The Mid-Sized City | Short Film | 2024

Cinematography

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CAM-OP
- Passé | Television Pilot Episode | 2024
- That One RomCom From 2003 | Short Film | 2024
- Brush With Business | Short Film | 2024
- Crushes | Short Film | 2024
CAMERA OPERATOR
- No Vacancy | Short Film | 2023
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA
- ÆTHER | Short Film | 2026

Writing

WRITER
- Clocks | Short Film | 2025

My Accomplishments

Awards & Education

BEST STUDENT FEMALE DIRECTOR (June 2025) | Indie Short Fest: This award was presented to me for the June monthly round of Indie Short Fest 2025. It was presented to me for my directing work for Cohousing (2025).

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST (June 2025) | Indie Short Fest: This award was presented to the cast of Cohousing (2025) as a part of the June monthly round of Indie Short Fest 2025.

BEST INDIE SHORT (July 2025) | Top Shorts: This award was presented to the cast and crew of Cohousing (2025) as a part of the July monthly round of Top Shorts 2025.

SEMIFINALIST | Cannes New Wave Indie Shorts & Venezia Shorts: Cohousing (2025) was selected as a semifinalist in both of these festivals, and chosen to be screened in their virtual events.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE: I received my Bachelor of Arts with a major in Film, Television and Media along with a sub-major in Screenwriting from the University of Michigan in August of 2025.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: I recieved my Associate degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in Film Studies from Washtenaw Community College in May of 2023.