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Half Initiative

@half.initiative

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Providing mentorship and education to produce a more inclusive entertainment industry.

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A milestone to wrap principal photography on my first feature!

When I worked at the DGA for 10 years, I’d see all of these amazing talented directors come in and talk about their craft. Their love for story, technicality and performance always left me in awe because I could see in their eyes and how they spoke that they loved creating with all of their hearts. I wanted to be a version of that for myself, unleash all of the vision and creativity swirling in my body since I was a little girl, but with nobody in my direct orbit in this career path, I had to find my own way.

During that time I worked 50+ hours a week at the day job to afford a life in LA while making art on the weekends. After a few web series and short films, I was fortunate enough to meet @maryloubelli who said “say you’re a director.” “I am a director,” I repeated. That was the first step: speaking it into existence. Along the way exceptional directors and creators @gregyaitanes @gpbmadeit were kind enough to watch my earliest works, @gberlanti encouraged me to keep on making new work and @brooneydirector gave me a call that changed everything. She took me under her wing on Criminal Minds and through an intensive, allowed me to fully blossom. I cannot thank these mentors enough for pouring into me and impacting me by always modeling that you can be exceptional at your work while also being a kind, generous human being! ✨

Special thank you to @tvacom for rocking with me for a decade and trusting me; and Mike @peanutbutterfalcon for being an inspiration and supporting during prep! #director

To the edit we go…

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Take Me Home closed out its LA run at @am_cinematheque— home of @prooffilmfestival where the proof of concept short took home the Grand Jury Award in 2024.

Closing out our run, 9-1-1 star @oliverstarkk joined us to give a special introduction to the film. Oliver first met Liz through Ryan Murphy’s HALF Initiative Director Shadowing Program.

CAPE’s @graceyhkao moderated an amazing conversation with our writer-director-producer @lizziesarge and director of photography @farhadcine.

Huge thank you to @juliasgouw @half.initiative @capeusa @antigravityacademy for co-hosting our LA finale.

More opportunities to catch Take Me Home can be found at the link in our bio!

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Get OBSESSED. ❤️‍🔥 #ALLSFAIR Season 2 premieres November 4 on @hulu and with Hulu on Disney+. @allsfaironhulu @ryanmurphyproductions

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We’re having fun & feeling the vibe 🏄🏿‍♂️ in our 90s throwback music video set to “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway. 🎶🎹📀

Director - Taylor Neary
Director of Photography - Brian Hoodenpyle
Editor - Riley Rydin
Choreographer - Juliana Ungaro
Choreography by Juliana Ungaro & Kosi Ofokansi
Dancers - Kosi Ofokansi, Brandon Chau & Kevin Renteria#

#danceshort #90smusicvideos #markymarkandthefunkybunch #mtv

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I’m so honored to share that last year I got the incredible opportunity to work on “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” which is now streaming on Netflix! I got this amazing experience all thanks to Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative PA intensive program! I learned so much about what it takes to bring a TV show to life and got to work with such an incredibly talented and welcoming crew! This program opened up so many doors for me and introduced me to new friends, colleagues, and collaborators and I could not be more grateful. Thank you to @half.initiative and @ryanmurphyproductions for this once in a lifetime opportunity, it truly changed my life! Everyone go check out season 4 of this show on @netflix now!

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last year I was lucky enough to work on @netflix’s Monster: the Lizzie Borden story through Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative PA Intensive with the most amazing, talented, and welcoming crew! thank you to @half.initiative @ryanmurphyproductions for this opportunity! ❤️ :) 🍒 stream all 8 episodes nowwww!!!

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Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story • September 17 • @netflix • @ryanmurphyproductions

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The HALF INITIATIVE gave me a shadowing opportunity that turned into an episode and then a career! Time to share what I learned with more Half fellows!! Let’s talk blocking!

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Partners in crime. Sweet revenge! 🍒

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CHOOSE LOVE • Please consider Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette in all categories when voting for the Emmys! #emmy #emmys2026 #lovestory #ryanmurphy #fyc

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WORK HARD. PARTY HARDER. THAT’S A WRAP!

ALL’S FAIR WRAP LUNCH DAY PARTY.… the party BEFORE the Wrap Party! 😂

Celebrating our incredible @allsfaironhulu cast & crew because WE EARNED IT!

Food provided by @innout 🍔🍟🥤
Sounds & Experience curated by DJ @cquestt 🎧🔥
Energy provided by EVERYBODY!

Good people. Good food. GREAT vibes.

#AllsFair #Season2Wrap #DayParty #WorkHardPlayHard

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Fun fact: I started my career @disneystudios as a summer intern & have worked on multiple productions on the lot as support staff. What a full circle moment to return years later for the Across the Lot: Summer Soirée“The Next Act: Navigating the New TV Playbook” Networking Mixer: bringing together writing and directing program alumni
from across six media companies and panel
@charlieandrews1982 @sheiladucks @shinybootz @gary_lennon @patrick.macmanus moderated by #Simran Sethi #halfinitiative alum

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