Hollywood Director Julia Hart on Filmmaking, Confidence, and Motherhood

Director Julia Hart on Filmmaking and Motherhood

Director Julia Hart on Filmmaking and Motherhood

#219 - Julia Hart shares her personal odyssey from HS English teacher to screenwriter and feature film director. Rachel Bresnahan, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and David Strathairn are just a few of the respected actors bringing her stories to life.

In this in-studio conversation, Julia reveals how becoming a mother empowered her to step into the role of director and how motherhood influences the stories she tells. And Ellie shares an empowering matrilineal secret found in her grandmother’s locket.

Also, we discuss the importance of owning our stories as well as the sensitivities necessary in writing a character of another race. xx Ellie Knaus

P.S. Retail therapy is now available at our brand new Atomic Moms shop!

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Special thanks to Owen O’Neill, our NYC sound engineer, and Jeremy Turner for our original theme composition.

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Crib Notes: Episode Research

How Director Julia Hart Created A Powerful Black Matriarchy In Fast Color - REFINERY 29

Five Questions for Miss Stevens Writer/Director Julia Hart - FILMMAKER MAGAZINE

The anti-‘Avengers’: In indie gem ‘Fast Color,’ a powerful new superhero story is born  - LA TIMES

'Fast Color' Filmmaker Slams Hollywood's "Lip Service" to Diversity, Inclusion - HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Rachel Brosnahan Will Topline and Produce Julia Hart’s Next Feature - WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD

White Artist's Painting of Emmett Till at Whitney Biennial Draws Protests - THE NEW YORK TIMES


GUEST BIO: JULIA HART

Julia Hart is the co-founder (with her husband, producer & writer Jordan Horowitz) of the film and television production company Original Headquarters. Most recently, Julia directed and co-wrote (with Jordan Horowitz) STARGIRL for Disney, starring Grace Vanderwall and based on the best-selling book by Jerry Spinelli. Her feature debut MISS STEVENS, starring Lily Rabe, Timothee Chalamet, Lili Reinhart and Rob Huebel, premiered in competition at SXSW 2016, where it won a Special Jury Prize for Best Actress for star Lily Rabe, and was later released by the Orchard. FAST COLOR, her second feature starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lorraine Toussaint and David Strathairn, premiered at SXSW 2018 and will be released by Lionsgate/Codeblack in March 2019. Her debut screenplay THE KEEPING ROOM landed on the 2012 Black List and was made into a feature directed by Daniel Barber (HARRY BROWN) and starring Brit Marling, Hailee Steinfeld and Sam Worthington. The film premiered at TIFF in 2014 and was released by Drafthouse Films.


Atomic Moms podcast pairing:

#199 Santi White a.k.a. Santigold on Music + Motherhood

You know, how I say at the end of Julia Hart’s podcast that moms I know are making me reach higher and not let fear get in the way?…Here’s one.

Podcast guest, singer, songwriter Santigold.

Podcast guest, singer, songwriter Santigold.

#198 Preschool mom friend Santi White, aka Santigold, has performed around the world and collaborated with the best in the music industry. On Atomic Moms podcast, we chat about all things motherhood. Her latest album, “I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions”, was completed weeks before the birth of her twins, now seven months old. We laugh about her recent career day visit at her son's preschool (forget sold out arenas, nothing impresses a class of four-year-olds like the idea of a bus with bunk beds). Santi openly shares how she approaches the BIG topics with your young son like death, shyness, and racial injustice. We talk about her sixteen year relationship with her husband, professional snowboarder turned artist Trevor “Trouble” Andrew, known as Gucci Ghost, who approaches life so differently from his soul mate. You’ll be so inspired by her authenticity, drive, playfulness, and humor. I can’t wait for you to get to know Santi, the mom. xx Ellie