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What project are you currently working on?

Two projects. One is a romantic comedy about two women who go on a road trip from California to Oregon and fall in love.

The other, titled On the Table, deals with the fallout 17 years after a family flees to Canada with their adopted son rather than returning him to his birth parents. I’m writing it with British author Nicola Phillips.

Has being a lesbian ever impacted your career negatively? Positively? Would you recommend being out to other young actresses?

I have been very lucky. So far I have not had any doors closed because of my sexuality. Although I usually design and select my doors very carefully and they are almost exclusively on my own terms. It may get harder.

I am a huge supporter of being out – as an actor, director, writer, just about anybody really. I think it’s a political stance that every person should take – but it all depends on your situation. It is not always an easy choice.

Do you think the industry has become more accepting of (out) lesbian directors over the last several years?

I think it is difficult to get any film made nowadays as a producer/director. I don’t think I would categorize myself as a “lesbian director,” I would hope to be thought of as a director who happens to be a lesbian. It’s sometimes frustrating because everybody wants to put filmmakers in categories - she’s a gay filmmaker or he’s an action director. I hope as I go on in my career I will be known as a director who can tackle anything. If there is a human element to a story, meaning humans are walking and talking and interacting, I should be able to direct it. My experience is hardly different then anybody else’s just because I sleep with women.

There have been more mainstream films with lesbian or bisexual characters in the last few years (Kissing Jessica Stein, The Hours, Frida, etc.). Do you think this reflects a lasting and/or positive change in Hollywood, or just exploitation/an attempt to capitalize on the latest trend?

I think The Hours was an amazing feat. I think it is sad that it could not have had a woman’s imprint on it. It shows in my opinion. It’s a perfectly crafted film, truly. But can a project driven by primarily by men really get into a woman’s psyche? I mean by this, it was written, adapted, directed and produced by men. It’s a debate I have on a regular basis because I really do think it’s an extraordinary film.

I always want to see lesbian and/or bisexual images up there on screen. It’s just that so many of them are not involving women on the creative side at all and I think that’s unfortunate. More women need to step up to the plate. It’s such a tough business and I do think more often than not these pieces do border on being exploitative. I struggle with this one too.

Again, I come back to the fact that women are not getting opportunities to direct and certainly have a very difficult time getting funding for there own films.

What other trends are you seeing in both indie films and big-budget Hollywood films regarding lesbian and bisexual representation?

Not many really. Some say there is a gay market. I don’t see much of it but I do hear things every so often. I think HBO is doing an astounding job of putting content out there and marketing to the gay audience.

And I hope to make a big, splashy, romantic comedy about a lesbian and a bisexual woman very soon. It’s time.

From your perspective, how have indie films have contributed to lesbian and bisexual visibility in entertainment? Is that changing?

Independent films are certainly where you will see more images of lesbian and bisexual women because that’s what it’s all about. Independent cinema gives filmmakers the opportunity to tell stories that wouldn’t otherwise make it to the screen. Without independent cinema we would likely not be seeing the kinds of gay images we regularly see in the media today. Cutting edge cinema is not made within the studio system. It’s too risky. Images that won’t sell sell sell are not marketable within that studio model.

As it gets harder and harder to make independent films I think we are seeing a decrease in lesbian and bisexual content.

Most of the lesbian characters in TV and film (Buffy, Earthlings, Treading Water, Kissing Jessica Stein etc.) are played by straight actresses; do you think directors should make more of an effort to cast lesbian actresses in these roles?

No. I stand very firm on this one. I hire the best actor for a role, across the board.

What inspired you to become a director? Which directors do you admire most?

What inspires me most is probably music. It drives me to do everything I do. With Treading Water, the inspiration for writing it sprung from Vivaldi’s Gloria. I was singing in a community choir at the time, that was performing the whole piece.

I was always the kid on the block who put together the shows – you know, produced, directed, acted in them. I discovered early on that it is an amazing feat to be able to move people. Putting together visuals and music was something I started experimenting with when I was in my teens. I realized soon after that I should figure out a way to take it to the next level and direct.

A few of my favorite directors (this is always a tough one) are Mike Leigh, Jane Campion, Gillian Armstrong. Two films that recently blew me away were Nanni Moretti’s The Son’s Room and Christine Jeff’s first feature Rain. I am always drawn to filmmakers from Australia and New Zealand (Campion, Armstrong, Jeff) because it is truly one of the only regions in the world that gives women the opportunity (and funding) to make films. It’s not often that you see women’s perspectives up there on screen.

What’s your background (age, where you grew up, where you live now, ethnicity, education etc.)?

I’m 30. I grew up in a small seacoast town north of Boston. I have lived in Oakland, CA for the past five years. I am currently living in NYC and hope to relocate here in the coming months.

I got my BA from a small liberal arts school, Western Maryland College. I have my Masters in Film from Boston University.

Besides directing, what are your other interests/hobbies?

I like to be active, especially in the outdoors, doing things like hiking with my dog (something I haven’t been able to do much of on the east coast this winter!). I love to hear live music, symphonic or choral. I'm a food maniac. Not just eating it but cooking too.

What has been your biggest challenge (personally or professionally)?

It is an incredible challenge to make films independently, outside of the Hollywood studio system. I still struggle with this everyday. But I know in the end I will continue with this crusade (it really is one) because it gets in your blood and once you start you usually can’t stop.

It’s also hard to have a life when you are making films.

What are your long-term goals?

To make as many movies as I can before I die. To make people feel. I want to start a film non-profit of some kind that gives more women the opportunity to make films.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from working in Hollywood? Any advice for aspiring (lesbian) directors?

Well, I haven’t spent much time in Hollywood to be honest, but I will say that it’s a game in my experience. I, unfortunately, have never been able to play at it. I sometimes jump in and out very quickly. Lots of smoke screens and smooth talking. I think it is very important to get perspective when you are in this business. Step outside of it as much as you can. I started out very much on my own, isolated, and I still work in a similar manner. I’m not saying this is a good model but it is often how you have to start out because so few people believe in a first-time director.

I read recently in an interview with a first-time director, she said “You can’t be on the fence when you’re making films, you have to really want it.” I certainly believe this because you can never waiver when you are really and truly on that path – when you are actually making a film. The one where you have sixty people standing in front of you screaming "Lauren, Lauren, Lauren...Where do you want the camera? What do you think of the background in this shot? Why is my character doing what she’s doing?" You have to be as prepared as you can humanly be for the hardest most grueling experience of your life. Finding a community is really hard in such a competitive business but so important. I would suggest that if you are just starting out, make sure you have access to a strong, supportive network of filmmaker/artists.

And have fun. That is the best advice I can give.