Born and raised in Southern California, Shannon Van Metre fell in love with filmmaking in her early teens-not just with storytelling, but with the visual language that brings it to life. Forgoing film school, she chose to learn on the ground, spending two decades working in the camera department on acclaimed television series and feature films. During this time, she honed her craft by closely shadowing directors, absorbing the nuances of performance, pacing, and shot design from some of the industry's best.

Her deep understanding of visual storytelling and actor-focused direction was shaped on set but elevated through her selection into Ryan Murphy's Half Initiative-a competitive and immersive directing program that champions underrepresented voices. The experience further ignited her voice as a filmmaker and solidified her purpose behind the camera.

Through her company, Van Metre Films, Shannon has written, directed, and produced award-winning shorts including FuN? and Kleen, both noted for their emotional nuance and grounded performances. She brings an empathetic, actor-first approach to her directing style, driven by a belief that the most powerful stories are the ones that dare to reveal emotional truths.

Shannon is currently attached to direct The Water King (co-writer), set to shoot in Scotland, and is also preparing to direct her first original feature, Out of the Fray.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Shannon Van Metre

Director

Writer

Producer

Camera and Electrical Department

Casting Department

Production Department