“Get a partner who can say the hard things you can’t. Sometimes it would’ve been nice to have a lioness alongside me to help strengthen my soft words.”
Producer, Writer, Actor — @the.mural.film
What pulled you into film and TV in the first place?
I have always loved stories that people can see themselves in. My background was in writing music and books, but two years ago, a script fell out of me. Literally. I was driving when an idea came to me. I had to pull the car over, cancel my plans and voice record all of it at once. I was inspired to write it after a vandalism to my husband’s restaurant because when something happens that I wish I could’ve handled differently, a story emerges. This film is basically my wish for how it could’ve gone.
I put it up as a staged reading and afterward, our Director approached, wanting to direct if it ever became a film. The same day an investor appeared as if by magic.
So, why am I in film? Magic.
What do you think the industry gets most wrong about women like you?
In my opinion themes that speak to women can often be obvious or dramatized when it’s the little things, the subtle things that we might not even notice in our lives that make it difficult to truly feel seen or heard. In my film, this is a big theme: the feeling the need to apologize for oneself, even subtly. Getting out of the way, smiling at strangers, etc. I love films that highlight these daily life aspects that might seem small but add up so quickly.
I have personally found that the industry favors the big things and they also might not take me seriously because I am new, full of hope and optimism and that somehow reads as weak or in need of lots of help. It’s been nice to produce my first feature (along with writing, acting and a million other things) to prove to some of them that, I’ve got this. Me, and an amazing team of course.
What does success mean to you?
Action. To me, the outcome doesn’t matter but holding an idea that never sees the light of day is failure. Acting on it, in any way possible, is success.
What are you most proud of that most people don’t know about?
The most proud moment I’ve had on this production was at the wrap party when a few very experienced crew members told me, this was the most organized set with the best food options ever. Out of all the things, making sure we had good food (our story is set in a café after all!) was priority!
What keeps you going when the industry makes it hard?
Trust. The way everything has happened in my life, film or otherwise, has had a flow. The minute I feel that I’m pushing the river I know I need to pivot. I have to trust wherever ideas come from, the people who believe in them enough to back them and me, and the process.
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