Emma Jean Hilleshiem

Emma Jean Hilleshiem was born in 1999 in Richland Center, Wisconsin, just north of Madison, to Carol Jean, a school teacher, and Jeffrey Dean Hilleshiem, a youth pastor. Growing up, they created a small screening room in their basement with just a projector and some couches, where Emma Jean first discovered her love for film. She later became known in high school for making videos and bring the school photographer. After graduating High School she went on to study at Youth With A Mission Brisbane in Australia, where she studied ministry with a focus in film. During that time she created the Heart Project "Hum in the Drum" as well as a Dance Video inspired by the film "LaLaLand". Her film group also wrote and produced a Christmas Rap Music Video and "The DTS Office" which was a mocumentary based on their experiences at Youth With A Mission Brisbane. Emma Jean then advanced to the School of Digital Filmmaking in Brisbane. While studying at the School of Digital Filmmaking she wrote and directed her first short film called "Fall on Deaf Ears" within the seventh week of the school. She also helped create six other short films with her fellow students, working in different roles on set (1st Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Director of Photography, Assistant Camera, Sound Mixer, Gaffer, etc.) She also participated in a 48 Hour Film competition, being co-writer and 1st Assistant Director in the 4 person crew. They thought their team had been disqualified because the film didn't export in time, but later discovered as long as they started the export before the 48th hour they would still be considered! During her film school the students were given the opportunity to pitch an idea for a short film and two of those pitches were chosen to produce; Emma Jean's was one of the two that was chosen! This became her next short film "In Good Company" which was about a relative of Hitler who attempts to go to a Support Group for Relatives of Loathed People, but instead finds herself in a Support Group For Relatives of Loved People and has to navigate her way around the mix up. After graduating film school, she went on to do an internship with The Initiative Production Company. During that time Emma Jean was able to work on commercial videos and help in the beginning stages of a feature length documentary.