Director Traci Hays on Finding Her Path to Filmmaking, Telling Complex Stories, and Never Giving Up

Every filmmaker has a story about how they found their way behind the camera, but for director Traci Hays, the journey began long before she realized filmmaking was even a career option.

Traci Hays is building a reputation as a visually driven storyteller with a passion for character-focused narratives, but her earliest experiences with storytelling looked much different. Growing up in Northern California, she spent her childhood creating stories through imagination, often recruiting her younger siblings to appear in homemade films shot on VHS and MiniDV cameras.

At the time, filmmaking wasn’t something that felt accessible or even realistic. No one in her family worked in the industry, and she had little understanding of how movies were actually made. What she did have was a love of storytelling and an instinctive attraction to visual mediums. Looking back, Hays believes her dyslexia played a major role in shaping that perspective.

Rather than becoming absorbed in books, she found herself drawn to images and visual storytelling. Even today, she admits that reading scripts can be a lengthy process, but what might have been viewed as a challenge ultimately helped shape the filmmaker she would become. It encouraged her to think in images, emotions, and visual language qualities that continue to define her work as a director.

One of the pivotal moments in that journey came during her teenage years when she discovered the extensive behind-the-scenes documentaries included with The Lord of the Rings extended edition DVDs. While many viewers were captivated by Middle earth itself, Hays became fascinated by what was happening behind the camera.

Watching filmmakers, artists, designers, and actors collaborate to bring an ambitious world to life opened her eyes to an entirely different side of storytelling. The chaos, creativity, and problem-solving involved in making a film left a lasting impression.

That interest only grew stronger through her involvement in musical theater, where she experienced both performing and working behind the scenes. Eventually, those experiences led her to enroll in a film class at a local community college at just 16 years old. There, she created her first black-and-white short film, an experience that helped solidify her decision to pursue filmmaking professionally.

Years later, that passion for storytelling continues to guide the projects she chooses to take on.

One project that particularly resonated with Hays was the story of Martha Curley. The director describes herself as a longtime fan of mysteries and true crime, tracing that fascination back to childhood favorites such as Carmen Sandiego, mystery novels, and classic board games like Clue. But what attracted her to the story wasn’t simply the mystery itself.

Instead, Hays found herself interested in the deeper questions beneath the surface. What motivates people to make life-altering decisions? How do circumstances shape behavior? And perhaps most importantly, is redemption possible after someone makes a mistake? Those questions became the emotional foundation of her connection to the material.

Rather than viewing characters as purely good or bad, Hays is interested in exploring the complexities that exist in between. It’s a perspective that allows audiences to engage with stories on a deeper level, encouraging them to look beyond first impressions and consider the humanity behind difficult choices.

That same philosophy extends to her approach as a filmmaker, Before transitioning into directing, Hays spent more than a decade working as a production designer and art director, contributing to over 30 feature films. The experience provided an invaluable education, allowing her to observe productions from the inside while developing an understanding of every aspect of the filmmaking process. Working behind the scenes also reinforced the importance of visual storytelling.

As a director, Hays believes audiences often connect more strongly with what they see than what they are told. Her work emphasizes details, atmosphere, and visual cues that communicate emotion and character without relying heavily on exposition. The result is a filmmaking style that places significant importance on imagery while still remaining grounded in character. Another aspect of Hays’ work that has become increasingly important to her is her relationship with actors. Although she has never had ambitions to become an actor herself, she has spent years studying acting techniques and attending workshops to better understand the craft.

For Hays, learning the language of acting has been essential to becoming a stronger director. Film sets are filled with specialists, each speaking their own professional language. By studying acting, she has been able to communicate more effectively with performers while gaining a deeper appreciation for the vulnerability required to step in front of a camera.

It’s one of the reasons she hopes to be known as an actor’s director someone who creates an environment built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Outside of filmmaking, Hays is equally passionate about advocacy work.

The director revealed that she was born with a congenital heart defect, a personal experience that has inspired her involvement with the Children’s Heart Foundation. She currently serves on the organization’s board and remains committed to raising awareness and supporting research focused on congenital heart disease.

For Hays, the cause is deeply personal. She hopes that sharing her own experiences can provide encouragement for children and families navigating similar challenges while also drawing attention to the need for continued medical research and support. As she looks toward the future, Hays shows no signs of slowing down. She confirmed that a new Christmas film is currently in the works, though details remain under wraps for now. Beyond that project, she continues to meet with producers, pitch feature films, and pursue new opportunities as a director.

Like many filmmakers, Hays understands that success in the industry rarely follows a straight path. Rejection remains part of the process, something she openly acknowledges when speaking to aspiring filmmakers.

Her advice, particularly for young women entering the industry, is rooted in perseverance. There will be setbacks. There will be more “no’s” than “yeses.” There will be moments when the goal feels out of reach. But Hays believes those difficult moments often become the experiences that shape an artist’s growth and prepare them for future opportunities.

It’s a lesson she has carried throughout her own career from making homemade movies as a child to directing feature films and one that continues to guide her as she takes the next steps in her filmmaking journey.

With new projects on the horizon and a growing body of work behind her, Traci Hays remains focused on what inspired her from the beginning: telling stories that connect with people, challenge perspectives, and remind audiences of the humanity that exists within every character.