Meet Maddie Main

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maddie Main. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maddie below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Maddie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I’ve built my strong work ethic through the example my family set for me, my college experience, and my own personal drive. Growing up, I saw firsthand what hard work looks like—my dad went back to school to earn a second degree, transitioning from being an engineer to a patent attorney, while my mom raised four kids and later worked her way up to become the CEO of a nonprofit. Watching them taught me the value of patience, commitment, family, and chasing your goals.

In 2022, I transferred to College of the Ozarks to finish my bachelor’s degree in video production. C of O is a working college that provides free education through working on campus. I worked at several different workstations to cover my tuition, and that experience taught me responsibility, independence, and that hard work means showing up every day, staying focused, and being proud of what you accomplish. I’m naturally self-motivated and organized, which has helped me a lot—especially on film sets. I’m the kind of person who sees what needs to be done and jumps in to make it happen.

Even though my examples of hard work didn’t come from the film industry, the mindset I’ve developed applies every day. I focus on staying creative, staying committed, valuing family and relationships, and pushing through challenges no matter what.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up mostly in the Midwest but moved often for my dad’s work. This helped me meet all kinds of people and sparked my love for travel. I’ve always had a big imagination—when I was a kid, I loved making up stories to act out during recess, with my friends, or with my siblings. At 13, I started writing my first book.

Looking back, it’s kind of funny because I had been diagnosed with severe dyslexia and dysgraphia. I really struggled in school until my mom took a class on how to support kids with dyslexia. Thanks to what she learned and how she helped me, I finally began to understand how I learn best. From there, I grew more confident, started to enjoy learning, and began succeeding in school. I never liked to read and had trouble retaining information, but somehow I was writing stories and filling journals. Writing helped me turn what once felt like a weakness into one of my greatest strengths.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to be creative and tell stories. When I wrote my books, I always imagined them as movies—even if I didn’t think that was actually possible at the time. In high school, I fell in love with photography and the power of capturing real moments. By my second year of college, I changed my degree to focus on film, worked hard on screenwriting, and later transferred to earn my bachelor’s degree in video production.

College gave me the chance to grow creatively and connect with other talented storytellers—many of whom I still collaborate with today. The summer after graduation, I produced a feature film that’s currently in post-production. We’re so excited to share it with the world: “Paralysis”, written and directed by Jacob Harding.

In March, I directed my first short film in Los Angeles—”The Diary of the Last Bride”—an incredible experience that made me feel more at connected in the city I’m excited to now call home. One project I’m still proud of and often share with people is “Hiraeth”, my senior thesis film. It was inspired by a close friend who was in hospice and has since passed away. “Hiraeth” explores the beauty and sadness of life—something I always aim to express in my storytelling.

Most of the books I’ve self-published are sci-fi dystopian, and I hope to one day adapt them into films. But more than anything, I want to show the full range of stories I can tell—from personal and emotional to bold and imaginative.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, there are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started out. Here are three big ones:

1. Don’t give up on yourself.
It’s so easy to get in your own head and compare yourself to everyone else. I’ve done that more times than I can count. Growing up in the Midwest, most of my friends followed a more traditional path—getting married young and starting families. I always dreamed of doing both that and having a career in film. But I struggled to believe it could actually happen. That’s why it’s so important to keep going, even when it feels hard or out of reach. Keep trying and pursuing your dreams!

2. Surround yourself with the right people.
Having people who encourage you and are honest with you is everything. In college, I met so many creatives who helped me grow—people who gave real feedback and pushed me to be better. My boyfriend Jacob, who’s also a filmmaker, has been one of those people. He challenges me, supports me, and we work really well together. I’m grateful to have someone who understands this industry and pushes me to keep going.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Asking for help can feel intimidating, especially on set. But the truth is—we’ve all started somewhere. The only way to grow is to be open, ask questions, and keep learning. You don’t have to know everything. What matters is that you keep showing up and putting in the work.

If you’re a creative—just keep going. Find your people. And don’t give up.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

The biggest area of growth for me in the last year has been stepping into the role of producer for a feature film. I was so excited to be on a set shortly after graduating college and to work with such an amazing team. I quickly learned how true it is that you learn more on set than you ever could in a classroom. Over just a few months, I gained knowledge and experience that felt like four years’ worth—thanks to the talented friends and crew who taught me along the way.

I honestly surprised myself. Being on that set gave me so much confidence, security, and faith in myself. It made me realize: I am a filmmaker, and this is what I’m meant to do.

As a producer, I learned so much—from handling budgets, rentals, casting, paperwork, feeding the crew, and everything in between. It was a lot, but it was such a blessing for my first feature film to be with such a passionate and supportive cast and crew.

I’m so proud of what we made, and I can’t wait for “Paralysis” to be released for the world to see!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Kylah Strehlow (Professional Headshots), Joanna Adams (“The Diary of the Last Bride”), Jacob Harding (Doc Sunback Film Festival), Raegan Hildebrand (“Hiraeth”), Santi de Alba (“Paralysis”), and Josie Newman (PBS Interview)

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