PRODUCER & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Lisa is an accomplished entrepreneur, world traveler, visual storyteller, and textile artist with a career spanning over three decades. Grounded in international relations from Warren Wilson College, she founded Blue Planet Packs, evolving it into a globally recognized brand.

At Venus Rising Media, Lisa integrates storytelling seamlessly into marketing efforts, playing a crucial role in shaping our client’s narrative and visual identity. Her blend of entrepreneurial spirit and artistic sensibility drives the company's mission to inspire positive change through impactful storytelling.

Lisa's blend of entrepreneurial acumen, artistic prowess, and storytelling finesse establishes her as a compelling force in documentary filmmaking. Currently, Lisa is co-directing and producing the feature-length documentary "Woven", showcasing the untold stories in fabric, shedding light on undervalued artisans and the solutions they hold for urgently needed social and environmental change.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER & EDITOR

Beth Starling is a storyteller driven by a profound fascination with people, ideas, and the transformative power of narratives. Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, she developed an animistic connection to the natural world, which deeply influences her work. Beth is also a talented musician and visual artist, constantly seeking ways to weave visual stories that explore our connections to ourselves, art, the planet, the cosmos, the realm of ideas, and each other.

With a BS in English from Appalachian State University, a minor in Psychology and BS in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Beth's academic background supports her multifaceted approach to storytelling. She is passionate about producing and uplifting meaningful stories that foster community, connection and spiritual awakening. She served as the outreach coordinator for "The Last Ecstatic Days" feature documentary and is the volunteer coordinator for the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival and the Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival. Through these roles, Beth continues to explore and highlight the intricate connections that shape our consciousness and culture, making her a significant voice in the world of visual storytelling and cultural exploration.

WRITER, PRODUCER & DIRECTOR

Melissa Troutman is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker with a passion for environmental justice and storytelling. Born and raised on the ancestral lands of the Susquehannock and Haudenosaunee, now known as the “Pennsylvania Wilds,” Melissa brings her kinship to the natural world into her work. She began investigating shale gas extraction in 2010 as a newspaper reporter in her hometown of Coudersport, Pennsylvania. In 2011, she co-founded the investigative news nonprofit Public Herald, where she served as Executive Director until 2018.

Melissa co-wrote, directed, and edited the acclaimed documentary Triple Divide (2013), which she also narrated alongside award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo. Her career spans multi-year investigations of environmental injustice, policymaking, and climate advocacy, coupled with a dedication to writing and producing award-winning documentaries.

Currently, Melissa is receiving accolades for her latest docu-series, Lake Erie, Our Kin, which has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. Her work continues to shed light on pressing environmental issues while honoring her deep-rooted connection to the land, wildlife, and traditional peoples of her upbringing.