EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT – HANNABELLE FARRELL

If you ask Hannabelle about herself, she’ll probably downplay the details. She might say her past life was “pathetic” (her words, not ours) or that she’s “very boring at heart.” But we know better.

What you’ll actually find is someone who spent nearly two decades dressing characters for stage and screen, who followed a childhood fascination with circus costumes into a career in the entertainment industry, and who now brings quiet precision and logistical talent to every production she touches. Whether she's managing a cross-continental shoot in Cognac, France, or watching birds from her farm outside Cincinnati, Hannabelle is equal parts thoughtful, curious, and wildly capable.

This month, she lets us peek behind the curtain and into the wonderfully unexpected path that brought her to Mills James.

How long have you been at Mills James?  
 
Three years in June!

What did your life look like before MJ?  

It was very sad and pathetic, I assure you. The life of a freelancer is hard! I spent from 2005 until 2022 working first as a Costumer, and then a Costume Designer, and finally moved to a production office in 2019.  

What led you to a career in this industry?  
 
I went to the circus as a five-year-old and made my father take me back to see it every day for a week because I was obsessed with the costumes. It’s only been the film and theatre industry for me for around thirty-five years now.  

What is a project that you have worked on that sticks out to you?  

We did a Spritz cocktail shoot for Sazerac in the studio here at Pike Street. I usually work primarily in pre-production, and this was one of the first shoots in the new studio that I got to take part in, and it was such a delight.  

What is your favorite part of being on the Cincinnati team?  

I love a few things the most: I love our office in Covington, I love my colleagues, and I really love how scrappy and agile we are as a team.   

Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.  

I was so proud of all the logistical hurdles that this team overcame on our Cognac, France shoot for Sazerac this past October. Getting people and equipment to another continent safe and sound is a feat and a half.   

Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.  

I’m a very boring person at heart, I’m afraid. I live on a farm about forty minutes outside of Cincinnati and I like to watch the birds and read the books I impulse buy in the checkout line at Target. I do love travel, though, and planning my next trip (following in the footsteps of the 2004 movie “Eurotrip”).  

What are you looking forward to in your future?  

I’m excited to see what AI brings to production work. I’m already using it more than I ever thought I would, and the applications for our workflow and for our clients are endless.