Available to hire
Hi, I’m Dannelle LaCancellera, a passionate filmmaker and photographer based in Connecticut. I love conceptualizing and creating visual stories that resonate, whether that’s through a short commercial film or branded content for local businesses. With experience leading teams and managing all aspects of production, I enjoy turning ideas into polished, compelling videos that align with brand strategy.
I graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design with a strong focus on branded entertainment and digital film production. I’m skilled in directing, editing, sound design, and color correction, always striving to maintain quality and creativity within production budgets. I’m excited about continuing to grow my skills and collaborate with others in the film and creative industries.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Work Experience
Creative Director, Writer at DRIVE COFFEE, FilmSupply’s EditFest 2023
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Conceptualized project, researched brand, sourced material, and edited a short 60 second promotional video. Sourced and directed young talent through voice over recording. Retimed visual sequencing to match performance. Wrote a cohesive and engaging filming script including voice over narration that matched the brand voice and values.
Writer/Director at TERMS & CONDITIONS, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022Wrote a short commercial filming script to engage audiences in a high-concept Public Service Announcement. Researched creative alignment & target audience; worked off of existing creative brief & brand strategy. Crafted taglines, slogans and call-to-action statements in alignment with the current brand’s communication cadence. Managed a crew of 25 through the film production process. Sourced locations, cast, crew, and specialists needed. Coordinated & facilitated pre-production responsibilities and production duties over each branch of production.
Director & Director of Photography at MORNING DRIVE, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Led a crew of 8 students in a short speculative commercial film, managed risks & compliance with strict COVID restrictions. Researched creative alignment & target audience; drafted the creative brief and wrote the imagery filming script. Designed visual aesthetic, story sequencing, & executed guidelines, post-production & distribution.
Director & Director of Photography at WINDOW, Ringling College of Art and Design, CT
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020Wrote, directed, & filmed a branded short film, documenting & portraying a singular viewpoint during the 2020 global shutdown. Self-directed & executed all aspects of production while in isolation including writing, photography, editing, & distribution. Awarded Best College Film, Sunscreen Film Festival, 2021.
Copywriter at Vera Coffee Solutions
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Researched, outlined, and wrote a comprehensive product article for an advanced Eversys Espresso Machine. Proofread, edited, optimized information and written cadence to convert website traffic and drive sales.
Videographer at Ascent Climbing Gym
February 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024Filmed a safety orientation video to provide new guests with necessary safety and liability information for their visit. Complied with insurance company policy to deliver an informative video that highlighted the best of the space. Edited multiple versions of the final video for English and Spanish viewers. Optimized for distribution platform.
Cinematography Teaching Assistant at Ringling Film Department
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022Assisted the Cinematography professor by organizing class materials, & assisting students in achieving learning objectives. Organized & created equipment training guides, learning materials, & outlining procedures for assembly & operation.
Creative Director, Writer at DRIVE COFFEE, FilmSupply’s EditFest
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Conceptualized project, researched brand, sourced material, and edited a short 60 second promotional video. Sourced and directed young talent through voice over recording. Retimed visual sequencing to match performance. Wrote a cohesive and engaging filming script including voice over narration that matched the brand voice and values.
Writer/Director at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022Wrote a short commercial filming script to engage audiences in a high-concept Public Service Announcement. Researched creative alignment & target audience; worked off of existing creative brief & brand strategy. Crafted taglines, slogans and call-to-action statements in alignment with the current brand’s communication cadence. Managed a crew of 25 through the film production process. Sourced locations, cast, crew, and specialists needed. Coordinated & facilitated pre-production responsibilities and production duties over each branch of production.
Director & Director of Photography at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Led a crew of 8 students in a short speculative commercial film, managed risks & compliance with strict COVID restrictions. Researched creative alignment & target audience; drafted the creative brief and wrote the imagery filming script. Designed visual aesthetic, story sequencing, & executed guidelines, post-production & distribution.
Director & Director of Photography at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020Wrote, directed, & filmed a branded short film, documenting & portraying a singular viewpoint during the 2020 global shutdown. Self-directed & executed all aspects of production while in isolation including writing, photography, editing, & distribution. Awarded Best College Film at Sunscreen Film Festival, 2021.
Copywriter at Vera Coffee Solutions
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Researched, outlined, and wrote a comprehensive product article for an advanced Eversys Espresso Machine. Proofread, edited, optimized information and written cadence to convert website traffic and drive sales.
Videographer at Ascent Climbing Gym
February 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024Filmed a safety orientation video to provide new guests with necessary safety and liability information for their visit. Complied with insurance company policy to deliver an informative video that highlighted the best of the space. Edited multiple versions of the final video for English and Spanish viewers. Optimized for distribution platform.
Cinematography Teaching Assistant at Ringling Film Department
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022Assisted the Cinematography professor by organizing class materials & assisting students in achieving learning objectives. Organized & created equipment training guides, learning materials, & outlined procedures for assembly & operation.
Freelance Photographer/Filmmaker at Self-employed, Connecticut
December 31, 2025 - July 11, 2025Conceptualized, planned, filmed/photographed, and edited branded video and photo material for local Connecticut businesses. Utilized a 4k mirrorless camera to optimize production budgets while maintaining quality visuals. Applied skills including color correction, sound mixing, voice-over recording, and voice talent directing while aligning creative strategies.
Creative Director & Video Editor at Drive Coffee, EditFest Commercial, Connecticut
December 31, 2023 - July 11, 2025Wrote, sourced voice-over talent, edited, and sound designed a short 60 second commercial video.
Writer & Director/Producer at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
December 31, 2022 - July 11, 2025Wrote, produced, and directed a short speculative commercial film for Center for Humane Technology. Coordinated and facilitated pre-production responsibilities and production duties for a 25 person team. Researched creative alignment and target audience; drafted creative brief and brand strategy. Crafted taglines, slogans, and call-to-action statements. Awarded two ADDYs.
Director & Video Editor at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
December 31, 2021 - July 11, 2025Led a crew of 8 in a short speculative commercial film, managing risks and compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Researched creative alignment and target audience; drafted creative brief and wrote filming script. Designed visual aesthetic, story sequencing, brand strategy, and executed guidelines, idea conception, post-production, and distribution.
Director & Video Editor at Ringling College of Art and Design, CT
December 31, 2020 - July 11, 2025Wrote, directed, and filmed a branded short film documenting a singular viewpoint during the 2020 global shutdown. Self-directed and executed all aspects of production while in isolation including writing, photography, editing, and distribution. Awarded Best College Film at Sunscreen Film Festival 2021.
Cinematography Teaching Assistant at Ringling Film Department
December 31, 2022 - July 11, 2025Assisted cinematography professor by organizing class materials and helping students achieve learning objectives. Mentored and trained underclassmen on maintenance and upkeep of industry standard camera gear. Organized and created equipment training guides and learning materials.
Creative Director & Copy Writer at Branded Entertainment Recruitment Campaign
December 31, 2020 - July 11, 2025Researched, strategized, and pitched a campaign to increase enrollment in the Branded Entertainment Track. Copywrote pitch deck and pitch script incorporating research, social media strategies, and mock-up designs.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
January 1, 2018 - May 31, 2022Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 1, 2018 - May 1, 2022Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 1, 2018 - May 31, 2022Qualifications
Ringling College Trustee Scholar - Nominee and Finalist
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021American Advertising Awards - Regional Silver ADDY
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023American Advertising Awards - District Silver ADDY
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Consumer Goods, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services
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