We recently connected with Ariel Serene and have shared our conversation below.

Ariel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am so lucky to be able to say that yes, I am currently making a living from assistant directing in film. It still feels so strange to say that, and it definitely was not always this way.

I began working in restaurants at 15 years old- I actually dropped out of high school to work full time to be able to support myself. But, throughout the entirety of my youth I was reading and writing. Literature transformed my perspective, it gave me purpose. I knew I wanted to spend my time on Earth telling stories and this is what led me to film.

I was 21 when I entered the film program at Santa Monica College and I was starving for something new. At the time I was balancing classes with being a barista in the mornings and a cocktail server at night. It was absolute madness for about a year.

I remember I would hide in the corner of the cafe with my laptop where the security camera couldn’t reach and work on video editing or scripts until a customer came in. After my shift, I would nap in my sister’s car then either head to class or the restaurant, depending on the day. It was exhausting but I kept pushing until I felt film growing in my life, demanding more and more of my time and attention.

In my last semester, my professor introduced me to two producers that got me internships, eventually invited me to sets, then recommended me for jobs- It snowballed. I started freelancing and was able to quit one job, then the other.

I am grateful beyond words for the opportunities I have been given by my mentors, especially Roberta Sparta. She trusted me until I trusted myself and continues to teach me just as much about life as she does about filmmaking. She is one of the many incredible creative forces out there that inspire me to continue this work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

An assistant director kind of exists between two worlds: the creative realm of the director (what is needed for the shots, preparing the actors for performance, creative problem solving) and the logistical world of the producers (budget, time and resource management). But to put it simply, assistant directors are essentially the managers of a film production.

We read and “break down” a script, assessing the needs of the production. With this information, we create a shooting schedule in alignment with the director’s vision, the producer’s parameters, and the plans of the department heads in mind.

ADs oversee the daily operations on set to ensure work is carried out as efficiently and safely as possible. The goal is to “get the shots” within budget and reason. Keeping cast and crew informed and safe is always a top priority.

At the end of the day you have to be someone who loves and understands people. I think it’s so important to empower and celebrate those around you, to respect their work, and to keep your humor. Assistant directing can be incredibly demanding, but by remaining grounded and fully present in each moment, it’s much easier to act intentionally and react accordingly on set.

Any advice for managing a team?

It’s all about creating a collaborative environment where people feel safe to be seen and heard. Get to know people, trust them, open your heart up. If you are authentic and honest with your team they feel that- it’s infectious. If you act from a place of kindness you will see that reflected back to you.

I try to lead by example: to be passionate, patient, and to not take myself too seriously.
It’s actually quite humbling to be an assistant director because I am constantly surrounded by such talented people who know their job so much better than I do. I always try to verbalize this respect and gratitude, every role is so crucial.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. Now more than ever it is necessary for film and media to serve not only as entertainment, but as a catalyst for change. I want to tell stories that start difficult conversations and inspire social reform. Film and television is such a direct and potent medium for educating people on systemic oppression and the way that minority groups in the US have been, and continue to be, affected. As a queer woman, representation of the LGBTQ+ community is especially personal to me. There is so much opportunity for representation and new perspectives to explore here.
I believe the personal is political, and what is more personal to us than the art we make?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @arielserene

Image Credits

Takumi Nakayama, Loren Henley, Kyler Coffman