Conversations with Maya Harwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Harwood.

Hi Maya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.  
When I was around 11 or 12, I started writing stories about the assistant teacher in my 6th grade class, Jeff. I called them “Jeff Stories”. A series of short stories about a guy named Jeff that runs into his “least favorite” children. Each story starts with Jeff’s morning starting well until he runs into the same 5 or 6 kids, and every time he would run into them his day would go downhill, and the kids would have to help Jeff’s day get better. Ever since writing those stories, I thought I would go into the creative writing field. It wasn’t until I was around the age of 12 or 13 when my friend and I started our own YouTube channel. It didn’t go anywhere, we didn’t have thousands of subscribers, but I truly did enjoy the editing process. That’s when I realized I could make a career in the film industry.   

I took my first producing class at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), and I originally didn’t like it at all. It wasn’t until I produced my first short film that’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do. I started looking for more student projects to produce and started taking more producing classes while networking with fellow producing students.   

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?  
There have definitely been a few bumps in the road. I learned that not everyone is going to like you in this industry and that you have to learn to let that roll off your back. Everyone says you have to have thick skin, and that is definitely true. I’ve also learned that this industry can break a lot of friendships and relationships. I have learned that some people are made to be friends and co-workers, and some are only meant to be friends or only meant to be co-workers. And I always ensure to tell the ones I am friends with and co-workers that our personal relationship doesn’t affect our work relationship and vice versa.   

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?  
I’m currently entering my Senior year at SCAD majoring in Film and Television with a minor in Producing. I would say that within the SCAD community, I’m known for working with an open mind. I think what sets me apart is that I’m always willing to collaborate with people, whether we’re best friends or we just met ten minutes ago.   

Tzadonah is a film I am most proud of that I produced back in the winter of 2023, a story about a group of friends who find a board game that unleashes all evil once opened, and they have to finish the game before they meet their demise. We are currently in the film festival run for our film; and it recently has been selected for a film festival in Edison, NJ. I and the director attended the festival where we met Freeforms Young & Hungry star Jonathan Sadowski; where he took a liking to our film and asked us to send him a link to watch it. Mr. Sadowski then gave us feedback on the film and ways we can further push ourselves as creatives.   

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?  
Not sure if this is a quality, but I think for me personally open-mindedness is super important, especially in the film industry. Being able to see the full picture clearly and being able to negotiate when needed makes a world of a difference. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/mayaharwood
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mayaharwood
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-harwood-b0639918b/

Image Credits
Caitlin Sellman
Ana Clemos