Today we’d like to introduce you to Millie Rose Heywood.
Hi Millie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had always dreamed of being an actor as a young child growing up in Sydney and that ambition stayed with me throughout my teens and early twenties, but I think ultimately my true desire was storytelling. I was an avid reader and loved to write, and I’d always create little movies in my head whenever my mind would wander. Being one of six kids, I had a mini theatre troupe at my disposal at all times, and would often create and direct silly little movies on our 90s camcorder. It’s almost perplexing that I didn’t see filmmaking as a possibility until my mid-twenties, but there is definitely truth to the saying “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.”
It was incredibly fortuitous that the first TV role that I booked was directed by the exceptionally talented, and now Emmy-nominated Daina Reid (Handmaid’s Tale, The Outsider). She ran a very calm set, led with kindness and quiet confidence, and was wonderfully intuitive with the actors. I could see clearly what feminine energy has to offer behind the lens. I hadn’t yet seen my true potential but the seed was planted. A few years later when I finally made the leap behind the camera, writing, producing, directing, and acting in my debut short film “Spirit Stones”, everything fell into place, albeit in a rather chaotic fashion, and I knew this was exactly what I was meant to be doing.
In addition to my ability to easily communicate with actors, I thrive in high-pressure environments. Fifteen years of working in hospitality in high-end, high-volume venues primed me for that. I’m used to making quick decisions in stressful situations, and that’s a huge part of what being a director is.
Following “Spirit Stones” I produced, wrote, and directed featurette “Girl Falling”, which had a successful festival run around the world, and was featured as a Programmer’s Favorite in the short film corner at Cannes Film Festival in 2018. After winning the Green Card lottery in 2016, I moved to Los Angeles from Australia to further pursue my career. Since then, I’ve co-written, produced, and directed supernatural web series “Retrograde” which premiered at LA Shorts Fest 2021 and co-written two feature films with my writing partner, which are currently in development for production in Australia.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a wild ride so far, but all those bumps along the way have propelled me to where I am now, and where I’m headed. I remember very clearly the pivot point towards becoming a filmmaker when what I thought was going to be my “big break” as a lead actor in a feature film did not launch me into the stardom, I thought I was destined for. In fact, much to my disappointment, I ended up getting dropped by my agent a few weeks later when they merged with a bigger agency.
However, it was this failure that allowed me to reframe my thinking, and think about the greater possibilities. Just prior to shooting my first short, I embarked upon an incredibly transformational journey through the process of yoga teacher training, which allowed me to understand so much about myself, and in particular the ways in which I was holding myself back from realizing my true potential. I came to the profound realization that the world owes me nothing. It’s not about what you can take, but what you can offer. I’ve tried to remain true to that philosophy as a filmmaker, in sharing stories that can positively impact society and help us to make sense of our place within the world.
I never did become a yoga teacher, but I’m eternally grateful for that process because it gave me the confidence to pursue my career and I haven’t looked back. There have been lots of twists and turns and hurdles since, and I’m sure there will be many more, but I’m buckled in for the ride, wherever it takes me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a director, writer, and producer, though I’m most passionate about directing.
I’m very proud of all of my projects so far, but I’m especially proud of my featurette “Girl Falling” which was inspired by my mother’s story and seeks to explore society’s attitudes towards women and sexual assault. It’s had a wonderful festival run around the world and I know that it has resonated with a lot of viewers.
As a filmmaker, I’m passionate about sharing stories that can make a difference in our world. I’m highly motivated and committed to my craft and love working with actors as I know how to communicate with them. In terms of what sets me apart, I’m not sure that I can speak to how different my processes are to other directors, all I can say is that leading with kindness and respect for all of my collaborators and the talents they bring are the most important things to me when running my sets.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
On a mental and emotional level, it was quite confronting to stop working and essentially hibernate from the world. I was forced to consider my place as an individual and what it means to be responsible to your community, how you act and choose to behave having greater implications for the entire world.
On a creative level, it allowed me a lot of time as an artist to work on my craft. I learned how to edit and was able to finish my web series Retrograde, wrote a second feature film, and started to learn a number of new technical skills. So, I will say that as much as this time has been devastating for the world in so many ways, there have also been some unexpected gifts. I am grateful that I was able to make the most of this difficult period and channel that uncertainty and pain into art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.millieonairproductions.com/
- Instagram: @millieroseheywood & @millieonairproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillieRoseHeywood/
- Twitter: @millieroseheywood
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/retrogradeseries
Image Credits
Madison McKamey
Velinda Wardell
Simon Morris
Philip Erbacher
Matthew Schmidt
Lauren Pierce
