Nofilmschool iconNofilmschoolSep 18, 2026 ~1 min source read

How 'Voicemails for Isabelle' Director Leah McKendrick Defeated Development Hell and Got Her Movie Made

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, writer-director-actor Leah McKendrick joins GG Hawkins to break down the long road to getting Voicemails for Isabelle made after years in development. She shares how directing that indie feature changed the way studios saw her, helped her reclaim Voicemails for Isabelle, and ultimately led to Netflix and Sony backing her as its director.

How 'Voicemails for Isabelle' Director Leah McKendrick Defeated Development Hell and Got Her Movie Made

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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, writer-director-actor Leah McKendrick joins GG Hawkins to break down the long road to getting Voicemails for Isabelle made after years in development.

She shares how directing that indie feature changed the way studios saw her, helped her reclaim Voicemails for Isabelle, and ultimately led to Netflix and Sony backing her as its director.

The conversation also covers navigating Hollywood development, creating opportunities without permission, collaborating with cinematographer Julia Swain, protecting your creative voice, and applying an...

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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, writer-director-actor Leah McKendrick joins GG Hawkins to break down the long road to getting Voicemails for Isabelle made after years in development. She shares how directing that indie feature changed the way studios saw her, helped her reclaim Voicemails for Isabelle, and ultimately led to Netflix and Sony backing her as its director. How the screenplay quickly sold, landed on the Black List, and attracted major ta...

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  • helped establish her as a writer, producer, actor, and filmmaker The reality of working as a studio screenwriter and spending years writing projects that may never reach production The original inspiration...

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  • The conversation also covers navigating Hollywood development, creating opportunities without permission, collaborating with cinematographer Julia Swain, protecting your creative voice, and applying an...

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