After attending university in NY and England for her passions - performance and filmmaking - Vanessa received a degree in marketing and advertising. She has a diverse background in Creative Direction which includes film, video, sound, graphic design, management, marketing and training.
In May 2014, after working in creative direction, Vanessa followed her passion to pursue a career in film. Since then, she has acted and continues to act in an array of new media, episodic television, and short and feature films.
In addition to regional performance academies, Vanessa has trained with The Groundlings and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also has a variety of specialized instruction such as fight choreography with Stuart Wilson (Owner of Action Acting & Bruce Willis' stunt double), firearms with retired law enforcement & former military, and martial arts from an early age.
Behind the camera, Vanessa has had training in conjunction with Sundance, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Canon Hollywood, Shane Hurlbut ASC, AbelCine, ARRI Academy, Filmmakers Alliance and NBC/Alliance of Women Directors. She has written, directed and produced a variety of films and series.
MEMBER OF:
Digital Cinema Society
Filmmaker’s Alliance
Alliance of Women Directors
International Screenwriters Association
Probable Cause Comedy ⋄ Drama Alex Hudson, a street-smart, brazen detective, begins to unravel when she discovers the life-altering truth about her deceased father. The revelation provokes Alex to set off a chain reaction of lies and deception, in order to protect the people she cares about, while risking her life to uncover things that are meant to stay hidden.
The Veil Drama In the wake of a shocking revelation, a forensic psychologist struggles to help a patient after uncovering the accounts of his past. The further she dives into his truth, the higher the veil lifts on her own, but every exchange comes with a price - one she must decide whether or not to pay.
Free Will Sci-fi ⋄ Drama After the Civil War of 2025, the Government attempts to unify the States through forced rehabilitation. One Rebel fights for her family and freedom, defying all odds.
The Test Drama A young woman battles with infertility and the effects it has on her relationships
Wayward Drama With all the tragedy in Samuel's life, his only way to cope is solitude and escape. Until his best friend, Jessie, refuses to let him go and fights for his second chance.
The Veil
(
Film
by Footlight Studios | Brighton Films (Drama)
Kate Thompson In the wake of a shocking revelation, a forensic psychologist struggles to help a patient after uncovering the accounts of his past. The further she dives into his truth, the higher the veil lifts on her own. But every exchange comes with a price - one she must decide whether or not to pay.
Equal parts psychological drama and mystery, THE VEIL is a tense culmination of unraveling the past without losing grip on the future. Developed with support from Canon Burbank, THE VEIL is written by Vanessa Silva, with story by Vanessa Silva & Heather Hentila ("Probable Cause") and produced by Footlight Studios and Brighton Films.
Free Will
(
Film (short)
(Drama and Sci-Fi)
The Facilitator
Probable Cause
(
Television
(Comedy, Crime and Drama)
Detective Alex Hudson Alex Hudson, a dynamic detective with Seattle’s most elite unit, discovers that her father is not only on the wrong side of the law — he’s above it. The stakes are high as Alex tries to protect her personal and professional life, ultimately triggering a domino effect of lies and evasion to keep the two worlds from colliding.
Ultima Cena
(
Television
(Crime and Drama)
Detective Alex Hudson A 5-Webisode Drama through the eyes of Dominic DeMarco.
The Sunday Night Slaughter
(
Film
by Anti-Hero Productions (Action, Comedy and Horror)
To Catch a Predator Camerawoman An anthology horror film following 3 stories including demons, cannibals, psychopaths and demigods all intertwined, taking place in the final 31 days of earth.
In Plain Sight
(
Film
(Thriller and Short)
Writer/Director A woman narrowly escapes a murder and decides to fight back. Made for the 24 Hour Film Race
Dynamica
(
Film
(Short and Crime)
Producer Add a Plot »
The Call: A Health Class Video
(
Film
(Comedy and Short)
Party Goer Add a Plot »
Pitch Perfect 3
(
Film
by NBC Universal (Comedy and Music)
Military Mom
Wayward
(
Film (short)
by 222 Footlight Entertainment / En La Sangre Productions (Drama and Short)
Writer/Director/Producer/DP/Editor With all the tragedy in Samuel's life, his only way to cope is solitude and escape. That is, until his best friend, Jessie, refuses to let him go and fights for his second chance. Made for the 24 Hour Film Race
Growler Run
(
Television
(Reality-TV)
Director/Producer Growler Run takes you on a ride in search of the best craft breweries in the nation!
The Test
(
Film
(Drama and Short)
Co-Writer, Director A young woman's struggle with infertility and the effect it has in her relationships.
Go Fish!
(
Commercial
by 222 Footlight Entertainment
Roommate Doritos Spec Commercial
DeFemCan
(
Commercial
by 222 Footlight Entertainment (Comedy and Short)
CBFS
Scrape
(
Internet
by 222 Footlight Entertainment (Drama and Short)
Hashimotos PSA: The internal struggle of four women as they bow and scrape to their insecurities and then rise to overcome.
Goldbrick
(
Film (short)
by 222 Footlight Entertainment (Comedy and Short)
Director/Co-Writer The story of a young woman who is the personification of the word "procrastinate."
Did You Watch...?
(
Television
(Talk-Show)
Guest Movie reviews made by YOU.
Actor's Showcase
(
Theater
by JDS Actors Studio
Actor
Industry Showcase
(
Theater
by JDS Actors Studio
Actor
The Alibi
(
Film (short)
by 222 Footlight Entertainment (Thriller and Short)
Melissa
Finalist - Cannes Screenplay Contest - Best TV Treatment - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Semi-FInalist - Los Angeles Cinefest - Best Web-Series - “Ultima Cena”
(2019)
Quarter-Finalist - The Film Empire Diversity Screenplay Contest - Best Overall - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Winner - Script Summit - Best Pitch/Synopsis/Treatment - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Script Summit - Best Concept - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Winner - Hollywood Dreams IFF - Best Trailer - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Hollywood Dreams IFF - Best Proof of Concept - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Hollywood Dreams IFF - Outstanding Cast Performance - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Winner - Action on Film IFF - Best Trailer - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Action on Film IFF - Best Proof of Concept - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Action on Film IFF - Outstanding Cast Performance - “Probable Cause”
(2019)
Finalist - Milano Mobile Film Festival - Best Short - "Free Will"
(2019)
Finalist - Oaxaca Film Fest - Best TV Pilot Script - "Probable Cause"
(2019)
Semi-Finalist - The Film Empire Television Screenwriting Contest - Best Script - "Probable Cause"
(2019)
Finalist - Bigfoot Script Competition - Best Original TV Pilot - "Probable Cause"
(2019)
Semi-Finalist - San Mauro Film Festival - Best Short - "The Test"
(2018)
Winner - WOE Film Festival - Best Drama - "The Test"
(2017)
Winner - WOE Film Festival - Best Editing - "The Test"
(2017)
Winner - Digifest - Best Narrative - "The Test"
(2017)
Winner - WOE Film Festival - Best Cinematography - "The Test"
(2017)
Finalist - 24 Hour Film Race - Best Film - "Wayward"
(2016)
Official Selection - Online Archive - Moonfaze Feminist Film Festival
(2015)
International Academy of Design and Technology: Orlando
(2001-2002)
Northumbria University
(1999-2000)
SUNY Westchester Community College
(1997-1999)