The Producer and the Publicist

Lucy Gaffy: From AFTRS to International Acclaim

This episode, we’re thrilled to chat with the award-winning and absolutely loveliest Australian film and TV director, Lucy Gaffy (@lucygaffy). With a stellar career spanning both local and international productions—including Mixtape, Totally Completely Fine, and Here Out West—Lucy is making waves in Australia and overseas.

We dive into Lucy’s journey from AFTRS graduate to internationally recognised director, exploring how her education shaped her, the pivotal moments in her career, and what she’s learned along the way. She shares:

🎬 How AFTRS prepared her for the industry – and taught her to be a politician!
 🎭 Finding her tribe – the importance of good collaborators

 📺 Working with streaming platforms like Netflix, Stan, and ABC – and how it differs from traditional studios
 🎥 The process of working with actors – and how she gets the best performances
 🏆 The secret to award-winning work – and whether directors should aim for accolades
 💡 Balancing creative vision with studio and producer expectations
 🎞️ Her advice for aspiring directors – from AFTRS students to newcomers breaking into the industry
 🔑 The make-or-break moments in her career – and what’s helped her reach success

Lucy also shares the best advice she’s received, what keeps her inspired, and the biggest surprises she’s learned about herself along the way.



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