Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut: Behind 'Woman of the Hour' and Her Creative Journey

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

What does it take to reinvent yourself after decades of success? Jessi Hempel sits down with the multi-talented Anna Kendrick, whose journey from acclaimed actor to first-time director offers invaluable insights for anyone considering a bold career pivot.

Anna shares the story behind her directorial debut with Netflix’s Woman of the Hour, a true-crime drama. Far removed from the lighthearted films that Anna is known for, Woman of the Hour chronicles the stranger-than-fiction story of a 1970s aspiring actor and a serial killer whose lives collide when they're cast on The Dating Game.

Together, Jessi and Anna dive deep into the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone, even when the world knows you for one thing, and how to follow your intuition when making creative decisions. From her Tony-nominated start on Broadway at age 12 to her directorial debut, Anna reveals the inner workings of her creative process and her thoughts on failure, intuition, imposter syndrome, and the terrifying yet necessary act of leaping into the unknown. This episode offers not just a behind-the-scenes look at Anna's latest project but also inspiration for anyone seeking to reinvent their own career.

Watch Woman of the Hour on Netflix now, and tune in to hear how Anna Kendrick is embracing the next chapter of her career.

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