So you’re a beginner filmmaker who isn’t sure what path to take. Do you focus on commercials, television, documentaries, or feature films? Well, who says you have to pick just one lane and stick to it?

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and director Natalia Leite discuss:

Natalia’s path to writing and directing
Why she is so grateful she started her career in documentaries
Creating an environment where people feel comfortable to break script
Being belittled on set of her first feature film and standing up for herself
Why she doesn’t like to physically rehearse the script
What is was like to prepare actors for sexual assault scenes in her second feature
How vulnerable it is to be an actor
The benefits of approaching different formats as a director
How she likes to shotlist the edit
Allowing yourself the learning curve in your film career

Memorable Quotes

“I just love that mish-mash of stuff of how to blur the lines of what’s real and what’s not.” [8:39]
“I love working with actors and I always try to connect with them on a deep, vulnerable level.” [15:40]
“There’s so much to be had in collaborating and fulfilling someone else’s vision.” [32:46]