Ellen Houlihan is an Emmy and Clio-winning Director, Script Writer and Creative Director based in New York City and Los Angeles focused on Celebrity and Branded Content, available for representation or hire. Most notably, Ellen has directed Gabrielle Union, the late comedy icon Sally Kellerman, rock stars, comedians, CEOs and “real people” alike. She writes for top studios and brands and regularly bids on directing jobs for major entertainment and advertising clientele, while developing her own projects. Free The Work!
As a storyteller, Ellen loves subverting the status quo, championing underdogs and finding the POW! in empowerment. She has been recognized for her talent as an “actor’s director” focused on getting dynamic dialogue-driven performances across scripted, documentary, entertainment and corporate film projects.
Hailing from a large Irish family with NYC roots, Ellen was born with “the gift of gab” and always sought adventure— or a chance at an unforgettable story— in the big city before moving west to LA where she spent years toiling in the trenches on major motion picture sets; assisting notorious Hollywood power players; performing at Upright Citizens Brigade and The Groundlings Theatre companies; and studying with everyone from Werner Herzog and Yale MFAs to writers on the top streaming and network sitcoms to hone her craft. She holds an MFA from Art Center College of Design and a BA from Fordham University.
In her spare time, you can find Ellen stealthily filming rock concerts, film festivals, book lectures and cultural experiences on her Instagram account @directedbyellenhoulihan; competing in Pickleball championship games she takes way too seriously (“I dare you not to smile/laugh your head off!”); and connecting to youth culture mentoring teen filmmakers and “volunteering” to take her nieces to Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo concerts. The thrill of entertaining and being entertained 24/7 is possibly an addiction but is the only way Ellen wants to live her life.
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