Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Montana.
Hi Lizzy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always loved storytelling. Growing up, I was the kid making home movies, putting on plays, and finding any excuse to create something. That passion led me to earn a degree in theatre and get into the film industry, where I had the opportunity to work for acclaimed director Terrence Malick. It was an incredible experience that gave me a behind-the-scenes look at professional filmmaking and reinforced how powerful stories can be.
After starting a family, I stepped away from the film industry and spent several years running an in-home daycare and that’s where I started filmmaking camps. It was something I just wanted to try out, but it took off and I found myself having repeat kids every year.
I realized I didn’t have to choose between my love of filmmaking and my love of working with kids. I could combine them.
That’s how Squishy Banana Studios was born.
What started as a few filmmaking camps has grown into year-round programs, summer camps, homeschool classes, workshops, and online mentorships for young filmmakers. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of watching hundreds of students write scripts, direct scenes, solve creative problems, work as teams, and see their ideas come to life on screen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. I don’t think entrepreneurship is ever a smooth road, especially when you’re building something from the ground up.
Like many business owners, I’ve had seasons where classes filled quickly and everything seemed to click, and other seasons where I questioned whether I could keep going. I’ve launched programs that were huge successes and others that taught me valuable lessons about what my community really needed.
One of the biggest challenges came during COVID. Practically overnight, I lost access to every space where I taught. I had to completely rethink how Squishy Banana Studios would survive. It was scary, but it also pushed me to become more creative. I adapted my programs, explored new ways to teach, and found opportunities I probably never would have considered otherwise.
Running a business has also meant learning far more than filmmaking. I’ve had to become a marketer, salesperson, website designer, curriculum writer, accountant, and coach. It’s been a constant process of learning, pivoting, and growing.
One thing I often tell people is that careers today are more like a jungle gym than a ladder. Sometimes you move sideways, sometimes you climb, and sometimes you have to find a completely different route. That’s been true for me, and every challenge has helped shape both me and my business.
Looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t give up. The difficult seasons taught me resilience, made Squishy Banana Studios stronger, and ultimately allowed me to reach even more students than I imagined when I first started.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Squishy Banana Studios, I teach kids and teens how to make movies from start to finish. Students learn everything from story development and screenwriting to directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and working together as a real film crew.
What I’m really passionate about, though, isn’t just teaching filmmaking. It’s showing kids that technology can be a tool for creativity instead of just entertainment. In a world where so many young people spend hours consuming content, I want them to experience the joy of creating it. Filmmaking naturally teaches communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, resilience, and confidence, all while students are having fun making something they’re proud of.
I think what sets Squishy Banana Studios apart is that our programs are incredibly hands-on and student-led. Students don’t just follow instructions or recreate someone else’s project. They brainstorm ideas, solve real production challenges, make creative decisions, and see their own stories come to life. Every film is unique because every student brings something different to the table.
The thing I’m most proud of isn’t any one film we’ve made. It’s watching students grow. I’ve seen shy kids become confident leaders, hesitant writers become storytellers, and students who thought they “weren’t creative” discover talents they never knew they had. Parents often tell me their child is more confident, communicates better, or has found a passion they didn’t know existed.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is making up stories and putting on little performances. Whether it was creating skits, pretending to be different characters, or finding creative ways to entertain ourselves, I was always drawn to storytelling. I loved using my imagination and bringing ideas to life, even if all I had was a camcorder, a few friends, and whatever props we could find around the house.
Through my work, I get to help kids experience that same excitement of creating something from nothing and realizing that their ideas can become something real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squishybananastudios.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/squishybananastudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squishybananastudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquishyBananasStudios
