The most popular wasAlien: Specimen, directed and produced by Kelsey Taylor.
Read up on her before her first feature films come out.
It started when I adapted the bookTuck Everlastingfor a fifth grade project and hasnt stopped since.
It started when I adapted the book Tuck Everlasting for a fifth grade project and hasnt stopped since.
After college, I worked as a camera assistant and electrician to pay the bills.
Chances to direct were far and few between but I seized every chance I couldpaid or unpaid.
You never know how one project may lead to the next.
EnterTongala really cool meritocratic platform that allows filmmakers everywhere to pitch on projects for recognizable brands and entertainment companies.
With the help ofthat short, I met my manager who pushed a script I wrote into development.
I am really excited to transition into feature films and have another feature I am developing for next year.
Take us through a recent workday.
Work varies so much for me on a day-to-day basis.
Im always balancing commercial projects (so I can eat) with my feature work.
When Im on set, any semblance of a routine gets thrown out the window.
This sets the mood for writing and helps me focus.
A normal commercial day looks like this:
Start with the morning briefings from the New York Times.
It helps put into perspective whats important and reminds me I should quit filmmaking and save the world!
Read through a new brief on the Tongal platform and develop pitch materials to submit.
Run around the neighborhood, get some air and some much needed sun.
My laptop is king…
I keep all my files in iCloud Drive so theyre accessible between my desktop and laptop.
Lucky for me theres a tutorial for everything!
Premiere Pro is my pick for editing.
Ive learned to not fall in love with anything because its always changing!
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
I am all about lists.
Without lists, I dont know how I would get anything done.
Sometimes I break down larger tasks into smaller tasks.
Instead of submit pitch Ill lay it out: pull reference images, create outline, write pitch text.
I can cross more things off and it makes me feel more productive.
Whats your workspace setup like?
Ironically, I never write at that desk.
It feels too structured.
I like to change things up often.
Sometimes I write on the couch, the floor, my bed…
Anywhere I can sit with my laptop.
I cant write to music because I find that I tailor my writing to what Im listening to.
Its a dangerous game!
It doesnt matter a whole lot where I work as long as Im focused and motivated.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
My hard drive storage is a mess.
Whats your favorite shortcut or hack?
I love to pre-shoot projects.
Sometimes Ill just pre-shoot a little action sequence or Ill shoot the whole thing and cut it together.
On set, Im so much more clearheaded because I know exactly what each momenteach shotis supposed to be.
If I cant shoot the whole thing Ill always do photoboards with my friends or action figures.
If I could draw, I would.
I love boards because it avoids confusion, arguments and wasted time on set.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Go for a run.
I swear running jiggles ideas loose for me.
Sometimes I have to turn it into walking so my thoughts can keep up with the movement.
Any kind of physical activity helps burn my nervous energy.
When I come off a feature, I hunker down with the boyfriend and binge TV for DAYS.
I have no self control.
Especially when it comes to TV.
Favorite shows of late,Dark(Netflix) andThe Last Kingdom(Netflix).
It feels so good to slip into someone elses life for a day.
My manager Gavin Dorman always keeps me focused while, most importantly, keeping it very real.
He edits a lot of my work so we spend a lot of time arguing about whos right.
My partner in crime and collaborator in everything is my boyfriend and regular DP Adam Lee.
Hes involved in everything I do, from the writing process to finalizing an edit.
Whats the biggest mistake youve made at work, and how did you deal with it?
Not being specific or clear about what I want.
My DP taught me to take it one step further.
When we look at references his first question is always, What is it that you like about this?
Whats your favorite side project?
Im working on a musical!
Working on this project always reminds me why I wanted to make movies in the first place.
Can you share a music playlist youve made?
I love making custom music playlists on Spotify when Im working on a project.
Sharing them with collaborators is cool too because it immediately communicates a tone.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
Im a little embarrassed to say Im currently readingFirst Time Directorby Gil Bettman.
I picked this book off a shelf at a party and was sucked in.
I also have to plugWhat I Talk About When I Talk About Runningby Haruki Murakami.
An incredible book for WRITERS!
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
FIX IT IN PRE-PRODUCTION.
The best advice Ive ever received and a rule Ill always live by.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
How to dream coherently so I can adapt my dreams into scripts.
