By: Bethany Myers

At just 15 years old, Lucy Hunter is already making waves in the film industry. Currently attending Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) and part of the film and television conservatory, Lucy recently graduated her freshman year of high school with exceptional achievements. Her journey into the movie industry began at a young age, inspired by her father, who introduced her to iconic films like "Children of Paradise," "Twin Peaks," and "Misery." Lucy fondly remembers, “he'd always keep pausing the movie to talk about the director's vision or the cinematography choices made.” Their shared love for movies sparked a passion within Lucy and set her on a path to become a filmmaker herself. She began writing at the young age of 12, and never looked back.

What Lucy enjoys most about the industry, especially directing, is the ability to transform a scene from paper into a visual masterpiece. Working alongside like-minded individuals who understand her artistic vision is a blessing for Lucy, who appreciates the collaborative nature of storytelling. She finds it thrilling to witness her words come to life on screen, sometimes years after the initial creation.

Lucy is the creator (writer and director as well as a plethora of other things) for her notable project, "You Should Be Dead." This sci-fi television show follows the likes of the X Files and Twin Peaks. The series follows a teenage girl navigating the aftermath of what she believes to be her best friend's passing, only to discover that the deceased girl was an alternate version of her real, alive best friend trapped in the multiverse. Over the past three years, she has diligently crafted all four seasons of the show, each season consisting of 11 episodes with an average length of 65 pages. Lucy wants to acknowledge Sophia Okerlund (the executive producer), Kate McCollum (who plays the lead actress), Jacob Avila (cinematographer), and Mason Ignacio (lead actor) for lending their incredible talent during the process of creating the show.

In addition to her television show, Lucy has an impressive repertoire of written works, including 11 feature-length films, 12 short films, pilots, and various documentaries.

Reflecting on her high school experience at OCSA, Lucy expresses her love for the inclusive and social atmosphere. Joining the Film and Television conservatory has been instrumental in her achievements at such a young age.

Outside of her filmmaking endeavors, Lucy plays several instruments and enjoys creating her own music, which she describes as “a language” she’s learned to speak over the years. Lucy also enjoys reading screenplays, and of course, watching movies. She’s also been singing and dancing since the young age of three.

As a young female filmmaker, Lucy embraces the confidence she has in her abilities and challenges the limitations imposed on her by others. She wholeheartedly believes in the power of storytelling, emphasizing that the soul of a project is its essence. Her TV show, "You Should Be Dead," exemplifies this soul, brought to life by the dedicated cast and crew who rallied behind Lucy, changing parts of their daily routine just to participate.

Lucy Hunter is a force to be reckoned with, defying age barriers and breaking stereotypes. Her commitment to her craft, unwavering passion, and determination are truly inspiring. As she continues to grow as a filmmaker, we can only anticipate the remarkable stories she will create and the impact she will make on the industry.

Final Thoughts from Lucy:

“I love the art of horror movies. The genre is generally watermarked as cheap or tacky but horror can be refreshing and have beautiful nuances. There's so much more depth behind it than money or cheap jump scares.” Lucy continues, “I love the film industry so much because of how fast it moves. You never stop learning. Everybody in the industry is self-taught in some way. Even if you graduate college with a degree in film or business, the industry can switch on you in mere seconds and give you a whole new tool belt to work with. That uncertainty isn't for everybody, but it certainly is for me.“

For more information, call Lucy at (949) 533-1306 or email her at lucygracehunter@icloud.com.