Sue Ann Pien on Directing 'Once More, Like Rain Man' & Her Mars Ambitions

Directing 'Once More, Like Rain Man'

• 🎬 Sue Ann Pien discusses her experience directing the short film "Once More, Like Rain Man," which stars and was written by teenage autistic actress Bella Zoe Martinez.
• 💡 The film explores the experiences of an autistic, neurodiverse actress navigating the Hollywood casting scene, with Pien intentionally casting disabled, neurodivergent, and autistic individuals.
• 🎭 Directing is described as one of the hardest things Pien has ever done, requiring leadership skills vastly different from acting, and was a "learn by fire" experience.
• ⚠️ Pien vowed never to allow anyone on her sets to feel less than, emphasizing the importance of a respectful and kind set culture for all roles.

Personal Journey and Aspirations

• 🚀 Pien, a Mars 1 finalist, shares her lifelong passion for space, stemming from a family history in aerospace engineering.
• 🌟 She reflects on her diverse career, choosing to leave modeling behind as it wasn't her strongest suit, while embracing acting and directing.
• 🧠 Pien identifies as a highly masking female on the spectrum, noting how her craft has evolved to protect her authentic self while navigating a world that can be less accepting of differences.
• 🎭 The role of Violet Rue in "As We See It" was the first that made her feel fully seen, highlighting the supportive environment of that production.

Insights on Acting and Hollywood

• 🎭 Pien believes the actor's role is the easiest on set, emphasizing the importance of having fun and not getting bogged down by technical craft.
• 💡 A key directing habit she adopted is to always act like you know what you're doing, making decisions confidently in the moment.
• 🌟 She was surprised by her own natural ability to take command while also enjoying collaborative teamwork.
• 🎤 Pien's dream role is Harley Quinn in a Joker film, and she advocates for better representation where performers are hired for their talent, not just their disabilities or differences.

Life Experiences and Advice

• 🧗‍♀️ Hobbies that keep her brain happy include rock climbing and being in nature.
• ⛵ Adventurous experiences include living on a sailboat for a year, hitchhiking, and long bus rides.
• 🚀 Her biggest fear is still going to space, while climbing in Patagonia is a fun bucket list item.
• ✨ Pien advises young actors who feel different to embrace their differences as superpowers, as they are what make them unique and valuable.
• 🗣️ A major misconception about autistic performers is that they are all the same and lack range.