Great directing is about communication and the ability to build an environment where actors and creatives can do their most honest work. Anne Renton’s approach to directing is rooted in trust, clarity, and deep collaboration, and this conversation opens up how those values show up in real time on set. We talk about the role of mentorship in shaping a creative life, how directors develop their voice through experience, and what it actually takes to guide a room full of people toward the same story without losing the humanity of the process. Anne also reflects on how each chapter of her journey informs the way she leads today, especially when working closely with actors. At its core, this episode is about leadership, communication, and the responsibility of creating space where great work can happen.
Full Bio:
Anne Renton is a film and television director and is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) and The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
In 2023 Anne won the DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for an episode of the Apple TV+ show BEST FOOT FORWARD. Anne is one of the founders of the LGBTQ+ committee at the DGA which became an official part of the Guild in 2022. She was recently elected to serve on the DGA inaugural LGBTQ+ Representative Committee.
In Television, Anne has directed episodes of THE ROOKIE, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE RESIDENT, BONES, MACGYVER, THE BOLD TYPE, THE FOSTERS and JUST ADD MAGIC. She is currently attached to direct the feature film CHEF’S CHOICE.
Anne directed the award-winning short film LOVE IS LOVE featuring Emmy winner Jane Lynch. Anne’s feature film, THE PERFECT FAMILY, starring Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel and Jason Ritter, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film screened at over 50 festivals worldwide prior to its US theatrical release.
Anne graduated from Sydney University with a B.S. in Physiotherapy. Her passion for the healing arts led her to travel internationally and study many forms of complementary medicine, healing, psychology and spirituality. While living in New York City, Anne studied acting and her inspiration for directing developed through a love of script analysis and storytelling.
Anne’s background infuses her directing- she brings intuition, kindness and collaboration to her work as well as a strong ability to communicate clearly with all departments. Anne is excited to continue to direct dynamic and nuanced character driven material, especially work that highlights underrepresented communities with a focus on women and queer stories.
