Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Lee Austin
Hi Janelle Lee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since 2007, I worked at the same tech company, steadily moving up the ranks—from handling small company events for 300 local employees, to becoming the Culture and Engagement Manager, overseeing teams in the U.S. and the U.K. for over 1,600 global employees.
Our team was responsible for creating a company culture that employees genuinely loved. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. People embraced working from home, which shifted our understanding of what mattered most to employees. It also made me reevaluate my own role and how I fit into that world.
Around the same time, my daughter expressed an interest in acting. After much discussion, we decided to let her pursue her passion. As her mom, I had the opportunity to experience film sets firsthand, from student projects at UT to a horror film shoot in St. Simons Island, GA. I was hooked. I loved the energy of set life—how every person played a vital role in bringing a story to life. It was pure magic.
As much as I appreciated my company, I felt unfulfilled creatively. The loss of my mother, getting sober, and approaching 50 made me realize I wanted to use my creativity in a more meaningful way. So, I decided to go back to school part-time and earned an Associate’s Degree in Radio, TV, and Film from Austin Community College.
I vividly remember being on set for a film I wrote, produced and directed. I was lying on the ground exhausted, my feet aching, my back hurting, and a stomach full of crafty snacks, yet I had never felt happier. Surrounded by my classmates and best friends, I knew without a doubt—this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
After discussing it with my family, I made the bold decision to leave the job I had held for 17 years and enroll in school full-time. I transferred to Texas State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree, a milestone that holds deep significance for me—I will be the first in my immediate family to earn a college degree. With my kids growing up, I wanted to set an example for them, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Knowing that breaking into this industry at this stage of my life meant building strong connections, I leveraged my 20+ years of event production experience to volunteer on the Board of Directors for Women in Film & TV Austin as the Events Chair. Through this, I’ve met hundreds (YES, HUNDREDS) of incredible women who share my goals and dreams—women, and allies, who uplift and support one another. It feels like having 400 best friends, always ready to catch you when you fall.
This year will be a big one. I’ll be graduating from Texas State in December 2025, and my term on the WIFT Austin board will come to an end. But my journey is just beginning. I plan to continue writing and making films, collaborating with other women my age, and supporting filmmakers from all walks of life.
Some people think I’m crazy for leaving a stable, well-paying job with amazing benefits, but I always say—if you’re a creative person without an outlet, it feels like you’re dying inside. As daunting as it was to change direction at this stage of my life, I chose to live. And I have no regrets.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been easy, and the transition from two incomes to one has definitely been an adjustment. But we’ve adapted as best we can, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue this path. My days are filled with homework, board responsibilities, planning events, working on my creative projects, and, of course, being a mom and wife. I’m just as busy as I was in my previous job—only now, I don’t get paid for it. HA! But the fulfillment I get from this work is priceless. It has opened my eyes in so many ways, and I feel incredibly lucky to collaborate with people who share the same creative passion and drive. Plus, I’m convinced that learning a whole new industry is keeping my brain sharp—so really, this is just my long-term plan to outwit aging.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I am a full-time student, full-time board member, and full-time mother. Yes, all of it. But if I had to break it down, storytelling is what I love most. Writing has become more than just a creative outlet—it’s a way for me to tell stories about women my age while also revisiting my past from a perspective where I can stand 500 feet above the trauma. Through this process, I’ve rediscovered who I am, shaped by the experiences I’ve survived.
The Paperman, my very first feature story—written just after I learned how to format a screenplay—was deeply personal, drawn from my own childhood. That script became a “Second Rounder” at the Austin Film Festival in 2024, which, as a brand-new writer, felt like a huge accomplishment. Since then, some of my other screenplays have been recognized at festivals like Big Apple Film Festival, Atlanta Women’s Comedy Festival, and Austin Revolution Film Festival. I was also a co-writer on a horror script that won Best Screenplay at the Ethereal Horror Festival.
I know some people think awards and laurels can be a little silly, but for me, they serve as proof—proof that my stories resonate, that people see me, and, most importantly, that they understand me…and maybe I wasn’t so crazy for quitting my job.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that everyone is scared, everyone feels vulnerable, and everyone wonders if they’re good enough. But the ones who will succeed are the ones who keep moving forward and do it anyway.
I’ve also realized that people who’ve been in this industry for a while already have their tribes—the people they know and love working with. And that can make it tough to break in. So instead of waiting for a door to open, we just have to find our own path, create our own tribe, and make things happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.janelleleeaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellelee_austin/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinjanelle/
Image Credits
Linn Rivers
