The best work compliment I’ve ever been given wasn’t “you’re an amazing director”, it was an actress telling me that my set was the most collaborative set she’s ever been on. I work as hard on collaborating as I do on my blocking. It’s an actual skill that takes focus.

I feel it’s often dismissed in creative criticism and teaching, maybe because it’s largely seen as a female trait. But honestly we should be running classes on it, especially given the multiple stories of toxic show environment that keep coming out.

I also hope we move into a space that is less about “auteur theory” “showrunners” etc. They are ego-driven, masculine terms based on a power structure I’m not interested in. Yes there should be strong unified vision. Yes the writer should be engaged in all steps of the process.

But to change the system, we need to...change the structure and our own relationship to the desire for power and control. That takes WORK. It doesn’t just happen.

Also lol no one has actually told me I’m an amazing director but my DMs are open!!!