s there anything in particular you look for when choosing projects to work on?
First, I read the script and see if it speaks to me just simply. Am I moved, excited by it and or turned on by the material. If it feels like there’s something there that’s important to tell whether a drama, comedy, or romance, then I’m in. It’s a nuanced and intuitive choice often times. The genre isn’t necessarily that important. The thing it has more to do with the point of the script, the journey, or the arc of the storytelling and then of course as far as acting is concerned who the director and producers are. Who are the people that I am going to collaborate with on the vision. That’s hugely important. If I am the keeper of the flame, the one who is in charge of the vision coming to life, then I have to feel a burning passion to invest a large part of my life into that project. The why if it has to be clear and that creativity has a positive impact it necessary impact. So like I said, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a drama, comedy, etc., but it does need to have a purpose for me.

What was it like working with Jennifer Laurence on both “Joy” and “American Hustle?”
Working with Jennifer Lawrence was electrifying. I’ve never seen an actress so dynamic and inspiring. The way she works with the camera and an incredible Director like David O Russell is just magnificent. She is wise, funny, kind, and just a phenomenal talent. I was thrilled to do two movies with her and would love to do again!

What was it like working with David O. Russell twice?
Meeting David O Russell was such a pivotal and important moment in my life. I had done so much television and although I was proud of the shows I had done I had never had the freedom to embody a character like I was able to in “American Hustle.” It changed my way of working entirely. David is so brilliant, inspiring, and loves actors who freefall and trust him entirely. To put myself in the hands of another person like that was such an exciting experience. Then to get to do it a second time was a privilege and to collaborate again with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro. etc. a meaningful part of my life. I’m so thankful to David for changing the way I act and my desire to tell stories not only in front of the camera but behind. He is a beautiful force of nature and an incredible spirit.

How did you prepare to play Martha MacCallum in “Bombshell?” Was it a challenge to portray a real person?
I wanted to work with Jay Roach so badly and was such a huge fan of his. It seems like a fantastic opportunity to try to embody Martha McCallum in “Bombshell.” I think playing a real person, especially living is such an exciting challenge because on one hand you want to make it really true to who that person is but on the other hand you have to find your way into the material. So, there is a very specific amount of attention you have to pay to body language, accent, etc. I like that kind of detailed challenging work. I hope Martha felt that I represented her appropriately.

What was it like directing “Girl in Room 13?” What stood out to you about the story? Is directing a path you’d like to continue down?
Directing “Girl in Room 13” appealed to me because I felt like it was a difficult topic and a necessary one to look deeper into human trafficking. I had wanted to explore the film because Lifetime is so responsible when it comes to their stop violence against women platform, I knew that they would do a great job promoting the film as well as they aligned us with a nonprofit called Polaris. Along with Polaris and the stars of the movie Anne Heche and Larissa Dias we did a PSA for Polaris to draw more attention to their incredible organization. Directing has become a great passion of mine and “Girl in Room 13” is the third film that I’ve directed.

What was it like portraying the intensities of a mother-son relationship strained by drug abuse in “The Runner?” Did you take anything you learned about teen drug abuse to your director role on “Girl in Room 13?”
“The Runner” was a beautifully done movie by the cinematographer Pierluigi Malavasi that I’ve worked  with as a director on my first two films, “Girl in the  Basement” starring Judd Nelson and “Switched before Birth” staring Justina Machado. He’s a marvel as a cinematographer. So, I’m a huge fan of “The Runner” aesthetically. I didn’t relate to the dynamic between the mother and son in “The Runner,” thought I found it inspiring to portray the complexities of the relationship between a working mom trying to provide a great life and a son who is troubled and who gets into a world of self-destruction. It’s painful to watch the dynamic between these two and it was a real privilege working with the cast with the Director, Michelle Danner. As far as understanding teen drug abuse that isn’t really what “Girl in Room 13” was about. That was just a small part of the story. “Girl in Room 13” was about a mother with unwavering faith in her daughter and the resilience of a young women abducted for human trafficking.