Sexism is real and it persists in film and television. I've seen female directors openly undermined by male cinematographers in front of the entire crew

In documentary, which is the only thing I'm really very familiar with, women are very easily relegated into a producer role.

I just feel like the world is our oyster. I grew up knowing that my mother is a journalist and was one of the first bureau chiefs I think ever at the New York Times. Hearing these stories of how hard it was for her, and yet knowing how easy it is for me right now is just remarkable.

When you are trying to get a shot, you can't be pleasing everybody. And I tend to be sort of collaborative and a bit of a pleaser. And when I'm directing, people just sort of call me Black Hat Gabriela. Because suddenly they're like, "What happened to you?" Because I stop listening. And I feel strident. I feel rude. And I feel un-collaborative.

A male director doesn't come to situations the same way that a female director would.

One is that I'm really interested in movies about sex and lust, because I think those are primal, carnal instincts that translate well to a visual medium. Two, these things that I write, or want to make, are an expression of - I don't want to say darker instincts, but let's say darker instincts. But that's why I'm a writer.

Sexism is real and it persists in film and television. I've seen female directors openly undermined by male cinematographers in front of the entire crew