When filmmaker Stephanie Ruiz set out to direct Espíritu, a deeply personal coming-of-age film about loss, legacy, and self-discovery, clarity of vision wasn’t optional, it was essential. The story follows Carolina, a young woman unexpectedly left to run her late father’s auto body shop. Overwhelmed and grieving, Carolina finds guidance from a most unexpected source: her father’s spirit, summoned in moments of need.
Set in a gritty, tactile world full of oil-stained concrete and familial ghosts, the film demanded strong visual storytelling. “There’s a delicate balance in Espíritu,” Stephanie explains. “It’s grounded, but there’s a magical realism in how we see and feel the father’s presence. I needed every department to understand that tone from day one.”
While Espíritu continues its run through the 2025–2026 international festival circuit, Stephanie is already being recognized for her confident voice and command of visual language, much of which she credits to the storyboarding and previsualization process.
Stephanie’s journey into directing began while studying acting at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. “I found myself gravitating toward the monitor,” she laughs. That pull led to work as a production assistant on major shows like Blue Bloods and Hunters, eventually evolving into roles assisting directors and executive producers in episodic television. From that vantage point, she absorbed a behind-the-scenes education few film schools could offer.
When she transitioned to directing, Stephanie leaned heavily into previsualization. “It’s always been part of my process,” she says. “It’s how I get everyone on the same page, especially on indie budgets where every shot has to count.”
Early attempts involved hand-drawn storyboards and Photoshop composites, but the process was clunky. “Honestly, my stick figures weren’t doing me any favors,” she admits. “I needed something more accurate, something I could put in front of a DP, a production designer, or a client and say, ‘This is the vision.’” That’s when she found Previs Pro.
For Espíritu, Stephanie used Previs Pro to map the spatial and emotional flow of key scenes. “There’s a sequence in the garage that’s central to the film; Carolina’s first encounter with her father’s spirit,” she says. “I needed it to feel lived-in but also intimate. With Previs Pro, I could block out camera movement, prop placement, even the messiness of the environment.”
The platform’s built-in assets proved a game changer. “I was able to dress the scene digitally; trash, car parts, the exact vibe I imagined. It gave my production designer a clear reference point to build from. That saved hours of back-and-forth.”
What’s more, the software helped her streamline logistics with her crew. “My DP and camera operator walked onto set already knowing the angles. Because of our previsuals, we spent less time guessing and more time refining.”
Stephanie especially appreciated how the platform converted her visual plan into a working shot list. “Anyone who’s directed knows how long it can take to write out a detailed shot list. Previs Pro just did it. I exported it straight from the storyboard, and it became our roadmap.”
These planning tools proved just as valuable in post. “Our editor could look at the shot list, reference the notes we took during production, and understand exactly what we were trying to say. It really tightened our narrative arc.”
While Espíritu awaits its public debut, the film continues to resonate behind the scenes. At its core, it’s a story about navigating grief, rediscovering identity, and honoring generational legacies, all set within the textured world of a family-run auto shop.
Much of that emotional clarity is rooted in how Stephanie approaches filmmaking: with intention, structure, and a clear vision. From early visual planning to the energy on set, every choice serves the story. “I believe strong storytelling comes from knowing exactly what you want to say, and how you want to say it,” she explains. “That doesn’t mean rigidity, but rather having a roadmap that allows space for discovery.”
As the film continues its run on the 2025–2026 festival circuit, Espíritu stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful planning, collaborative craft, and personal storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll.
Stephanie Ruiz is a first-generation Latin American filmmaker from Boston, now based in NYC. She began her creative journey studying acting at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, where she discovered a passion for working behind the camera. Stephanie gained early industry experience on series like Run the World, Hunters, Blue Bloods, and 9-1-1, eventually supporting top TV directors and showrunners.
Mentored by two powerhouse women in the industry, Stephanie honed her skills across production, directing, and storytelling. She has since directed and produced four award-winning narrative short films and led production on digital campaigns for brands like 1800 Tequila, M&M’s, and Nike. She continues to develop and direct independent work grounded in culture, character, and heart.
