Video Interviews — Capture Your Flag

Tricia Regan

Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.

All Video Interviews

Tricia Regan on Taking Advantage of Living in New York City

In Chapter 1 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "How Do You Make the Most of Living in the City?" Born and raised in New York City, Regan finds living in the city electrifying. She embraces the activities around her and the social lifestyle that keeps her engaged with community and friends. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC.

Tricia Regan on Childhood Influences on Her Social Impact Film Career

In Chapter 2 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental to Shaping Who You Are Today?" Regan shares how not feeling understood as a child has drawn her to tell the stories of child subjects in dire situations or who do not quite fit into the world. These lead her to topics that include autism and stuttering and take her around the world to film in Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Learning Values and Work Ethic From Role Model Parents

In Chapter 3 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Regan tells the story of learning her work ethic from her mother and father. Her father tells her "There's no job worth doing that's not worth doing well" and instills in her the importance of doing work with integrity. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Finding a Mental State to Do Your Best Work

In Chapter 4 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "When Are You at Your Best?" Regan notes she is at her professional best when she is fully immersed in her project work. She translates this focus into effectiveness and finds the intensity and purpose she gives to her work exciting. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 5 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" Regan shares how, professionally as a filmmaker and television editor and producer, repetition builds confidence and removes doubt and fear. She notes that progressively mastering these creative skills creates a greater challenge when she gets confronted with political situations that go beyond the project creative work and storytelling. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Handling Pressure as a Documentary Filmmaker

In Chapter 6 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" As a documentary filmmaker and television producer, she shares the different kinds of pressures that come with her field of work. These range from keeping film subjects engaged while shooting to managing expectations with those funding or overseeing projects. or Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Why Confidence is Everything When You Make Films

In Chapter 7 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Role Does Confidence Play in the Work That You Do?" To Regan, confidence is everything in her work as a filmmaker.  Confidence helps her lead other people, make decisions and move projects forward toward completion. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on How to Establish Trust When Building Relationships

In Chapter 8 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" Regan shares how she creates trustworthiness through her sincere desire to be a force of good in the world. She openly presents herself in this way so others can easily and readily understand her intentions. She notes what working in film has taught her about relationships where trust was both easy and difficult to establish. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.

Tricia Regan on How to Use Your Network to Find a New Job

In Chapter 9 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "How Has Your Network Helped You Find New Jobs?" Regan shares that the only way she finds jobs in film and television is through word-of-mouth. She is introduced to new opportunities and recommended for jobs via the network of professionals who know her work and what she can do. This helps open the next career opportunity for her, making a film about autism in Abu Dhab in the United Arab Emirates. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Finding the Right Fit Interviewing for Film and TV Jobs

In Chapter 10 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker and television producer Tricia Regan answers "How Do You Assess Fit When Interviewing for New Film or Television Projects?" For television jobs, Regan looks for opportunities that pay well and complement her documentary filmmaking projects. In finding fit making documentary films, Regan makes a point to have some connection to the subject matter, especially given the economic benefits are less certain in documentary film work than in TV. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Learning Cultural Diversity Working in Film and TV

In Chapter 11 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Have You Found Most Rewarding About Traveling to New Places?" Making documentary films and shooting and producing television shows has given Regan the opportunity to travel around the world and deep into sub-cultures within regions and communities. She shares how going into different worlds, for example working on a murder investigation TV show where she filmed interviews with serial killers, has pushed her to be more accepting of differences in others. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.

Tricia Regan on Keeping Up With New Technology Working in Film

In Chapter 12 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What New Challenges Are You Facing in Your Career?" Regan shares how a consistent challenge in her film and television career has been keeping up with new technology. She notes how filmmaking technology, from cameras to editing software, changes dramatically from film project to film project. She notes how this places into the marketplace for documentary films - films are less expensive to shoot but the market for documentary films is as competitive as ever. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on How Television Storytelling Careers are Changing

In Chapter 13 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker and television producer Tricia Regan answers "How is the Practice or Trend of Storytelling Changing?" She notes how traditional storytelling formats - two- or three-act plays, three-act movies, half-hour TV shows, one-hour TV shows short stories, novels, and poems - are evolving into new formats. Regan details how powerful the "TV series" format has become, going from the old Charles Dickens' written formulas into serial TV series on HBO, Showtime, AMC and Netflix. She notes how a format in a serial TV show such as Girls pushes the boundaries of possibilities far behind creative formats of traditional TV such as Seinfeld. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on How Personal Priorities Change With Age

In Chapter 14 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "How Are Your Personal Priorities Changing as You Get Older?" As her carer matures, Regan finds herself thinking more about retirement and economic security. This pushes her to think about life changes that she will face in the next 10 or 20 years and how to manage her career to better prepare for them. She learns to be more assertive asking to be paid what she is worth when interviewing for new jobs and projects. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Tricia Regan on Setting Career Goals Making Films for a Living

In Chapter 15 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Goes are you Setting as You Look to What Comes Next in Your Film Career?" To continue making films for a living, Regan realizes she needs to set new career goals around taking better care of herself financially, politically, and personally. She notes the emotional toll making her film "Autism: The Musical" took on her and what she learned about the experience. Regan feels taking initiative across these areas will make her less vulnerable when pursuing new creative work to make films. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

How Incremental Goals Help Filmmaker Complete Projects - Tricia Regan

In Chapter 6 of 17 in her 2009 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan finds expectations-setting critical in breaking a film project into steps and gauging the momentum. Even in uncomfortable places, Regan applies a persistent, incremental, open-minded approach to exercise sound judgment on storytelling potential. Through this approach, Regan positions herself to best understand whether or not project potential blossoms or withers.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen: How has setting expectations played a role in your career as a filmmaker?

Tricia Regan: Well I’m actually in that process right now. It’s scary starting a film project because I know what I’m in for. It’s going to be a long haul, at some point everyone is going to be angry at me, I know that even if the money comes easily there are going to be financial issues and business issues. I just know what’s coming.

It’s scary. What I do is I get attracted to something and I don’t get invested in it. I take incremental steps even when I’m thinking this is so not going to work. Just go and show up and keep an open mind and let your wheels spin and let all the wheels of all the people spin. And leave it to providence more or less. If the wheels keep spinning and everything gets tightened and turned and it keeps progressing with some volition of its own, then you start to get involved. And once you do at some point you’re going to have to drag that baby along. But it has to have a certain momentum of its own because any film that gets made is a miracle. So if you don’t feel that miracle vibe, that providence involved at some point in the early stages, you can’t expect it to show up at some other point. 

How Reflective Moments Improve Decision Making - Tricia Regan

In Chapter 17 of 17 in her 2009 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan finds reflective moments, such as long walks on the beach, help her compare risks and rewards, await decision-making moments, and remain open to new possibilities. Central to each are patience, thinking through ideas, and a remaining positive that the appropriate path will appear given a balance of focus and time.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: What do you get out of solitude? For example while you were making your film you took long walks on the beach to process, to think. How does that contribute to that self-confidence?

Tricia Regan: Yeah. This is where it could get a little trippy. But I think most creative people, most people who are really, really good at what they do, probably have that same sense of mystery about it. I sometimes feel like there’s nothing particularly talented about me. I just have the patient to wait for the solutions and recognize them when they come and to not be afraid to try things that I’m not sure are right with the hope that they lead me to the solution. So those long walks on the beach that I would take everyday, I would take them when I was shooting, I would take them when I was editing, were really just a way of sort of opening up, not thinking about it or thinking about it. Starting the walk or the day or going to bed the night before, this is our problem, which character goes next, this is our problem.

So I feel like that gave from providence. It didn’t come from me having a brilliant idea. I just thought about it for long enough until there it was and there was the solution.