PROFESSIONAL BIO
MARIELLE WOODS – DIRECTOR
Marielle Woods is an award-winning, queer- identifying filmmaker who thrives in the high- stakes world of action storytelling. She likes to push emotional buttons and visual boundaries, telling stories that make audiences think — with a few explosions and car chases along the way.
Woods has been working as an LA-based director and producer since 2008. She got her start in docudrama television, crafting shows for networks including Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. She cut her teeth filming gunfights, avalanches and animal attacks, traveling around the globe in pursuit of good stories. Determined to move into the scripted world, observed on sets including FAST & FURIOUS 6 and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. She transitioned a similar shadowing opportunity into a hired position assisting the stunt team on JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO. She has since moved up to become a Stunt Department Coordinator, and has spent much of the last eight years working on projects including BABY DRIVER, BRIGHT, and WESTWORLD.
Woods’ short films have toured the festival circuit with acceptances at LA Shorts Fest, Cleveland International Film Festival, Cinequest, Rhode Island Flickers, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, NBCU Short Cuts, and Breckenridge Film Festival! In addition to being accepted to the 2019 class of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, Woods is currently a member of the 2019 Universal Directors Initiative and the 2020 HBOAccess Directing Fellowship. She recently shadowed on Freeform’s SIREN and The CW’s IN THE DARK, and is in development on a number of original projects, including a serialized version of SPIN and multiple original feature action scripts.
Filmmaker Interview with Marielle Woods
Filmmaker Interview
Tell us your backstory. How and why did you get into filmmaking?
I was always into the arts – primarily theater and acting. I used to try to convince teachers to let me make a video instead of writing an essay for class. But I actually went into college as a Classics major. I studied Latin and Greek for 10 years and I still love going back to ancient history and mythology books. One day I’d love to direct a massive Gladiator-style action film with a female lead. However, while I still took Classics courses, I recognized my love of directing while at college, and switched my major to film. I haven’t looked back since!
What are the specific qualities that, in your opinion, make a film great?
Distinct and creative filmmaking that supports the story and characters. I like to feel the artistic choices being made when I watch something – in sound design and shot selection and color palette and all the incredible cinematic tools we get to use when we make films. Everything we see and hear, and thus feel, is a directorial choice and I love when filmmakers play with all those elements.
What is your favorite aspect of film production?
The collaboration. Nothing gets me more excited that putting together a team of insanely talented people and then getting to make art with them. I love being in awe of my cast and crew, like, “I get to work with these geniuses?”
You are a collaborator. Did you make any connections at the Breckenridge Film Festival that have led to collaborations with other filmmakers?
Yes! I had such a blast over the weekend I spent in Breckenridge and I have since been developing a feature with fellow writer/director Jonathan Smith and winner of the Best Actor award, Marlyn Mason!
If there is one or more thing you think would make the film industry better, what would it be?
Much more diversity and inclusion. We’ve barely scratched the surface of those issues in the entertainment industry. I want to see and support media featuring persons with nuance and layers beyond one-sentence character descriptions. I want to see queer characters and people of color and people with disabilities who are doing all the things that I’ve watched straight, white dudes do for years. I feel most passionately about this mission in my work as an action director; all the stories I am currently developing feature diverse protagonists kicking ass.