How to Direct a Work-Life Balance – Maggie Kiley

Director Maggie Kiley (Scream Queens, Dial A Prayer, Some Boys Don’t Leave) bulked up her resume with short films and indie movies that starred acclaimed actors Jesse Eisenberg, William H. Macy, and Allison Janney. But even that wasn’t enough to land a directing job on a network television show. Find out how having humility and moving her career backwards led to an opportunity with Ryan Murphy, how she maintained a work-life balance as a young mother, and how she uses her “why” to stay positive throughout times of doubt.

Photos by Jennifer Reinstein

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. You don’t need to know all the answers. You just have to be willing to figure it out.

2. Don’t be afraid to pick up a book.

3. Don’t wait for someone to hand you an opportunity. Create the work yourself.

4. Have humility and confidence.

5. You need a why – and that why should make you happy.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Maggie Kiley’s website

• Follow Maggie on Twitter

• Atlantic Theater Company

• Filmmaking for Dummies

• Sian Hader, director of Tallulah

• AFI Conservatory Directing Workshop for Women

• Some statistics on women in entertainment

• Jesse Eisenberg, actor

• Watch the trailer for Some Boys Don’t Leave

• AFI’s Boot Camp and Narrative Workshop

• Mentors “Bill” Macy and Felicity Huffman

• Brian Udovich, producer

• Chayse Irvin, cinematographer

• Watch the trailer for Dial a Prayer

• MarVista Entertainment

• Watch the trailer for Caught

• Digital series – Guidance and Caring

• The Hollywood Reporter‘s article on Ryan Murphy’s Half program

• FX’s American Horror Story

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.

If you’d like to advertise with us, click here.