Behind the Camera with Maria Bissell: A Director on the Rise

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Bissell.

Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been obsessed with movies. Growing up, I connected deeply with certain characters, and as soon as I could get my hands on a video camera, I started filming and editing everything. It became my obsession—nothing else even came close. The immediacy of storytelling through film, the ability to create a world and evoke emotions, is just unmatched. It’s been a constant drive ever since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road, and I don’t expect it to ever level out. Finding the right collaborators has been one of the biggest struggles. I’ve only had the financing for low-budget projects, and that sometimes means people don’t take the project seriously. I’ll say, ‘I would love an amazing production designer,’ and people will tell me it’s not realistic for the budget. It’s frustrating when you’re told to settle because of financial limitations. As much as I respect everyone’s worth, I’m working with tight finances. I want collaborators who are down for the cause, who want to build something together—not people lecturing me on what I can or can’t do.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write and direct indie films, and I like to think my characters are what set me apart. Lately, I’ve been writing with my husband, and together we really put our scripts through the ringer. I organize table reads with friends, then we sit through brutal feedback. It’s tough to hear, but we take their notes and rewrite. It’s an awful process, but I truly believe it makes the script, the characters, and the final product better. It’s all about pushing ourselves—and the story—to be the best it can be.

What makes you happy?
Making movies makes me happy. The payoff is so immediate. I set up a shot, roll the camera, and boom—there it is. Some people work for years before they see the results of their efforts, but I get to see mine come together later that day. Honestly, I’m probably too ADHD to have the patience for any other line of work!

About MARIA BISSELL:
Maria Bissell returns with her second feature film, Busted, a raw and off-beat indie journey of self-discovery. Co-written with Stephen Tringali, the film trades high-concept spectacle for personal stakes and unpredictable payback, further cementing Bissell’s voice as one to watch on the independent scene.
She wrote and directed the dark-comedy, thriller feature HOW TO DETER A ROBBER. It stars Vanessa Marano, Chris Mulkey, Jonah Ray, and Gabrielle Carteris and premiered at Fantastic Fest. Sales were handled by XYZ Films and distribution by Shout! Factory.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missmariab/

Image Credits
Stephen Tringali, Max Silver, Logan Peterson, Brad Highland, Brian Gurnett