Her Story
About Isabella
Isabella “Bella” Holterman is a videographer, filmmaker, and media professional based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her passion for visual storytelling began in high school, where she immersed herself in videography and film courses throughout all four years of her education. Inspired by the creative process and the ability to connect with audiences through visual media, Bella expanded her skills independently through photography, videography, and personal film projects. This early dedication laid the foundation for a career focused on producing compelling and impactful content.
After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Bella gained hands-on experience across multiple areas of media production. She worked as a camera operator for live sports broadcasts with the Milwaukee Milkmen, developing expertise in live event coverage, technical troubleshooting, and production coordination. She also completed an internship with Scripps WTMJ-TV (TMJ4), where she supported live television programming, coordinated guests, assisted with production shoots, edited video content, and wrote digital articles for broadcast segments. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has continuously pursued opportunities to strengthen her technical skills and deepen her understanding of storytelling across platforms.
Bella is currently seeking videography and media production opportunities in the Milwaukee area, where she hopes to combine her creative vision, production experience, and strong connection to the community. She is passionate about creating content that highlights the people, stories, and culture that make Milwaukee unique. With experience spanning film, television, sports broadcasting, photography, and digital media, Bella is committed to producing work that informs, inspires, and authentically represents the city she proudly calls home.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabella
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the relationships I’ve built and my genuine commitment to connecting with others. Throughout my experience, I’ve found that meaningful conversations and strong professional connections often open the door to unexpected opportunities, including work in film and other creative projects. By investing in people, staying approachable, and consistently nurturing those relationships, I’ve been able to grow both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to actively engage with others and take initiative in building professional relationships. Rather than waiting for opportunities to come forward, I’ve learned the importance of putting myself out there, starting conversations, and reaching out to people directly. Progress in any career often comes from being intentional about connection, staying visible, and creating opportunities through meaningful interactions with others.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is that it remains a male-dominated industry, although there is a clear shift happening as more independent filmmakers and women in my generation gain visibility and create their own opportunities. Another challenge is location, as being based in Milwaukee presents fewer film resources and production opportunities compared to larger hubs like Chicago. At the same time, this environment also creates opportunities to stand out, build
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Teamwork is the most important value in both my professional and personal life. While it can be easy to try to accomplish things independently, I’ve learned that having a strong, reliable team makes even the most complex projects more manageable and successful. I value collaboration, mutual support, and surrounding myself with people who bring different strengths to the table, because shared effort consistently leads to stronger outcomes.
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