Lydia Muir- International Producer & Showrunner Based in New York

Edition Ninety- Week Ninety:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

What got you started with filmmaking, in terms of inspiration? How would you describe your filmmaking journey, in terms of the necessary education and your recent achievements so far? 

“As a child, I remember watching Lord of the Rings with my dad. After viewing the extended version of the film, we would delve into all the behind-the-scenes and making-of clips. I was fascinated by how they brought the movie to life—from the wardrobe to the special effects to the locations. That’s when I first fell in love with the concept of filmmaking.

Like many in this industry, my journey has been unpredictable. From business school to PA work in London, teaching in Taiwan, and now filmmaking in New York, my path may seem random and disconnected at first glance. However, each chapter has provided me with valuable experiences and skills that I now use as a producer and showrunner. I don’t believe there is one single path to make it in this industry but the best thing you can do is to make the most of every experience and learn from them!”

How have you adapted to the New York film scene coming from all over the globe, considering your most recent successful web series project, ‘The Roommate Contract’? How rigorous is the web series production process?

“I love New York! Having lived in many different places throughout my life, I have always felt slightly out of place in each one. However, there is something special about this city—no matter where you are from or who you are, you can belong here. I feel very lucky to be here. There is a moment in “The Roommate Contract,” in episode 2, where Aiysha says to Nathan, “We’re in New York City! Do you know how many people would kill to be in our situation?” That sentiment perfectly reflects how I feel. Every day that I am here, doing what I love, is a blessing, and I try to remind myself of that regularly.

Personally, I love the web series production process. It’s essentially a mini-TV production. I love episodic work because it allows you to dive deep into the characters and build an ongoing story. However, it can also be challenging because you are with the same characters and often the same setting for a long period of time. It’s crucial to keep audiences engaged and connected with the characters. For us, working with a low budget was definitely the biggest challenge. We had to find creative ways to save money while still making the show dynamic. Fortunately, I had a fantastic cast and crew who helped make all that happen.”

How would you describe your take on the filmmaking process, in creative terms? How many people are needed to make a successful creative vision come to life, involving cast, crew, and all other assisting parties in the production? Why and how so? 

“To me, it’s not about the number of people on the team but the quality of each individual. Whether you have a team of 5 or 50, the most important thing is that everyone involved is motivated and committed to bringing their best to the project. From the investors to the PAs, everyone plays an important and valuable role in making the project successful. In my experience, the best way to ensure this is to make the experience enjoyable and to treat your team with kindness. This might sound obvious, but I have seen (and experienced) projects where the leaders treat their team poorly or create unnecessarily stressful or uncomfortable environments. Of course, having more people can reduce the workload for each individual. However, I would rather have 10 hard-working individuals who I get along with than 50 who are grumpy or unkind.

Another important factor is ensuring everyone is on the same page. As a showrunner, you are the captain of the ship, and clear communication is essential to ensure everyone is heading in the same direction. Once you achieve that, the next step is to trust in the people you’ve chosen and rely on their expertise to reach your destination in the best way. This isn’t always easy, but when you find the right team (both cast and crew), it can feel magical and makes the entire process even more rewarding.”

Besides filmmaking via producer and showrunner roles, are there other interesting roles in which you believe your experience would be useful? (Short films, music videos, podcasts, etc). 

“I am a big fan of learning and expanding my skills, so I am always looking for new projects to take on. I dislike the idea that I can only be one thing. Although I started as a producer, and that is where my main expertise lies, one of the reasons I love showrunning is that I get to wear many different hats—from writer to director to producer. I have been actively working to build experience in each of these roles. For example, I am directing a short film in August written by Regan Hicks, one of the actresses in “The Roommate Contract.” This is the first time I am directing something I didn’t write myself, which is a fun and exciting challenge and an opportunity to expand my skill set. I am also developing a music video concept, which I will be directing later this year. To be successful in this industry, I believe it is crucial to be versatile and to say yes to any opportunity you are given—even if it is out of your comfort zone!”

What is your favorite part of filmmaking? Was there a stand-out scene in your most recent web series, ‘The Roommate Contract’, which you favored? Why so? 

“There are many aspects I love about my work, but the best part is the collaborative process. For example, I enjoy rehearsals where I get to work with the actors on the scenes. The script serves as a foundation, but it’s during rehearsals that we can truly play with the material and bring the characters and scenes to life. Great actors often come with their own ideas, and it’s exhilarating to discuss and try out these new concepts.

While it’s hard to choose a favorite scene, the one in Episode 2 where Aiysha and Nathan take a romantic walk by the bridge is particularly special to me. This scene was the basis of the chemistry read for Korina and Daniel during auditions, and I still remember the first time they read it together and the undeniable chemistry they had. It was an exciting moment when I realized we had something special. Another favorite of mine is the bad date montage sequence in Episode 3. The actors did an incredible job, and I still crack up every time I watch it.”

Where can we learn more about your work, and why should we do so? What makes Lydia Muir an iconic international filmmaker, producer, etc.? 

“My filmmaking journey is a tapestry of experiences from around the world. Each phase of my life has contributed to my unique storytelling voice, which is reflected in all of my projects. While I can’t guarantee that you will like everything I have created, I can promise that each piece contains a part of me and something I have learned from life. My goal is to share meaningful stories that engage audiences, touch hearts, and provoke new thoughts.

You can explore my work on my website: www.lydiamuir.com.Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram: @lydiamuir_film. Additionally, you can watch ‘The Roommate Contract’ on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/WatchTRC.”

Anything to add here?

“Thank you for the interview. I really enjoyed talking to you about my experiences and hope this conversation can inspire more people to step out of their comfort zone and chase their dreams!”

You can reach out to this rising filmmaker at their Instagram at the link below: https://www.instagram.com/lydiamuir_film/