Meet Sandra Scragg

We were lucky to catch up with Sandra Scragg recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

After a successful career at sea, I had resumed my acting career when I turned 50, but not on stage this time, in front of the camera. I had a creative partner with whom I had spent the last 18 months developing and producing a short film, that was very near and dear to my heart. I was to be the lead. I was in Switzerland, visiting my mom, three weeks prior to shooting, when we lost our director. I was devastated, knowing that we would have to cancel the project as without this director, I didn’t have the confidence to be the lead. My creative partner told me flat out that I would have to direct. I thought long and hard and finally decided to go ahead with it. I had to recast several roles as I was no longer the lead and change a myriad of details. We started our shoot on time and what followed were amongst the best three days of my life! I discovered that all my years of teaching children’s drama and casting films, commercials and industrials – had set me up perfectly for the role of director. I knew that I had finally come into my own. One of my actors said that I was “an actor’s director!”. I stopped acting and focused solely on producing and directing from there on out. I have just completed producing and directing my first feature film.

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 produce and direct narrative film. On the production side, I hire all the crew, scout the locations, get all the permits, work with my team to create shot lists, schedules etc. Once all is in place, I cast the film. Then we are ready to shoot.

I will already have spent several hours with my actors talking about their characters, developing them and some rehearsal. But it’s once we are on set that the magic happens. With a talented director of photography to confer with, with my hand-picked crew and with me working closely with the actors, it’s always very exciting to see the words on the page come to life.

Once the shoot days are done, we go into post-production which includes editing, composing, sound mix, special effects and the making of the trailer. I work closely with my whole team during this phase. Then we go on to distribution!

Seeing a film come together is magical and very exciting, but the most special part of it is the film family that is created. We live and work so closely together for so many days, that we form close bonds and those are the memories I hold close to my heart.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Important characteristics that were impactful on my journey were a good and disciplined work ethic, people skills and a willingness to learn.

Developing these do not require traditional learning – a good attitude and punctuality and hard work will get you in the door any time. I will easily hire someone with less knowledge but a great attitude over someone who is super knowledgeable but can’t get on with others, or thinks they know everything. We are always learning – every day – and we always will.

People skills can be worked on – be open and listen to others. Empathy and curiosity in others are two huge traits that will get you far in this business.

On the areas of knowledge that helped me – certainly my university career, hotel school and subsequent career at sea and then on land – equipped me with the knowledge I need to create budgets, work with teams, lead etc. and be a detail oriented, clear communicator and strong leader.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My parents were diplomats and the most important thing they did for me, was to bring me with them to each different country they were transferred to and not leave me back at home at boarding school like so many of their colleagues did. Even when things weren’t ideal or even safe for a child/teen, it was still an incredible education to experience so many cultures, learn so many languages and interact with so many different people from different walks of life.

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