Elodie Keene

Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her nearly four-hour interview, Elodie Keene talks about her early life, and attending film school at UCLA. She describes starting out as an editor for the Norman Lloyd-produced series Tales of the Unexpected, which led to her editing for several Aaron Spelling produced shows such as Fantasy Island and Hart to Hart. She chronicles working for Mark Tinker and Bruce Paltrow as an editor on St. Elsewhere, and later moving on to editing L.A. Law. She recounts becoming a producer and director on L.A. Law, under executive producer Steven Bochco, and winning two Emmy Awards. Keene discusses stints directing ER, and well as the short-lived classic My So-Called Life. She outlines working for Bochco a second time, directing NYPD Blue, where she also worked with writer David Milch and producer Gergory Hoblit. She speaks of working on several series for Ryan Murphy, with whom she has an on-again-off-again professional relationship, including Popular, Glee, and Nip/Tuck. She details directing several other series, including Scrubs, The Fosters, Pretty Little Lies, The Wire, and Switched at Birth. Keene concludes by discussing how opportunities have vastly improved for women in television directing since she began her career. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on April 9, 2018 in Sherman Oaks, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

“Your job as an editor and a director in the world of television is to figure out what their show is, and try to do it the best possible way you can. And surprise them with something - surprise yourself with something, so that you walk away with something that’s personal.”

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere for Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker
05:33
Elodie Keene on advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law
03:48
Elodie Keene on directing episodes of NYPD Blue, and on adjusting to the very different style of the show
03:49
Elodie Keene on directing Cory Monteith's final episode of Glee
02:41
Elodie Keene on directing My So-Called Life, created by Winnie Holzman
05:46
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:14
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her early life and influences; on directing projects while in film school at UCLA; on starting out as an editor, and turning to directing
On editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd; on editing various Aaron Spelling shows, including Fantasy Island and Hart to Hart
On editing St. Elsewhere for Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker; on the shooting style of St. Elsewhere
On dealing with the actors while editing St. Elsewhere; on how she was assigned episodes of St. Elsewhere to edit; on the impact St. Elsewhere had on medical shows that followed
On how she came to work for L.A. Law; on working with Steven Bochco and the other writers on L.A. Law; on winning an Emmy for editing L.A. Law
On becoming a producer for L.A. Law, and on how she came to direct; on winning an Emmy as producer of L.A. Law; on becoming a regular director of L.A. Law
On advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law; on a typical week directing an episode of L.A. Law; on how the director worked with the director of photography on L.A. Law

Chapter 2

On choosing ER as her next directing project; on attempting to impose what she'd learned on St. Elsewhere on to directing ER, and on dealing with the sets
On directing My So-Called Life, created by Winnie Holzman; on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto on My So-Called Life; on directing the final episode of My So-Called Life without knowing if it was going to get picked up for a second season
On directing episodes of NYPD Blue, and on adjusting to the very different style of the show; on working with Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits, and producer David Milch on NYPD Blue; on Gregory Hoblit and David Milch's respective contributions to NYPD Blue
On Bill Clark, a former member of the New York City Police Department and a producer of NYPD Blue; on Steven Bochco dealing with network censorship issues surrounding the language and nudity on NYPD Blue
On directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"; on what makes Ryan Murphy's work so groundbreaking, and on what it was like to work with him; on the challenges of shooting Ryan Murphy's Nip/Tuck
On working with the cast of Nip/Tuck; on the challenges of directing Ryan Murphy's Glee; on directing Cory Monteith's final episode of Glee

Chapter 3

On directing The Closer with Kyra Sedgwick, and on the positive impact it has had for women on television; on directing the first lesbian kiss on television on L.A. Law, and on the lesbian scenes in Pretty Little Liars
On directing scenes in Switched at Birth in sign language; on directing The Fosters, and on doing socially conscious work; on what she likes about directing
On her directing style; on the differences between directing comedies like Scrubs and dramas; on directing The Wire for show creator David Simon
On how the television industry has changed since she started, and on how directing for television has changed; on having creative freedom as a director in television, and on getting notes from networks and studios; on her work being watched on new media
On how opportunities for women in the industry have changed since she started; on advice that has helped her as a director; on how she would like to be remembered and on being a left-handed director
Shows

American Horror Story

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series' Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:15

Closer, The

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing The Closer with Kyra Sedgwick, and on the positive impact it has had for women on television
07:01

ER

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on choosing ER as her next directing project
07:14
Elodie Keene on attempting to impose what she'd learned on St. Elsewhere on to directing ER, and on dealing with the sets
07:26

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy for editing L.A. Law
03:18
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy as producer of L.A. Law
03:07

Fantasy Island

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on editing various Aaron Spelling shows, including Fantasy Island
06:14

Fosters, The

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing The Fosters, and on doing socially conscious work
04:17

Glee

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on the challenges of directing Ryan Murphy's Glee
07:20
Elodie Keene on directing Cory Monteith's final episode of Glee
02:41
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:15

Hart to Hart

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Elodie Keene on the formula for editing shows like Hart to Hart
02:57

L.A. Law

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on working with different directors as an editor on shows like L.A. Law and on becoming a director on L.A. Law
03:45
Elodie Keene on how she came to work on L.A. Law
03:57
Elodie Keene on working with Steven Bochco and the other writers on L.A. Law
02:12
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy for editing L.A. Law
03:18
Elodie Keene on becoming a producer for L.A. Law, and on how she came to direct
06:25
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy as producer of L.A. Law
03:07
Elodie Keene on becoming a regular director of L.A. Law
03:42
Elodie Keene on advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law
03:48
Elodie Keene on a typical week directing an episode of L.A. Law
04:56
Elodie Keene on working with the regular cast as director of L.A. Law
01:41
Elodie Keene on how the director worked with the director of photography on L.A. Law
05:19
Elodie Keene on directing the first lesbian kiss on television on L.A. Law, and on the lesbian scenes in Pretty Little Liars
02:12

My So-Called Life

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing My So-Called Life, created by Winnie Holzman
05:46
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto (who drove her to distraction) on My So-Called Life
03:21
Elodie Keene on directing the final episode of My So-Called Life without knowing if it was going to get picked up for a second season
04:30

NYPD Blue

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing episodes of NYPD Blue, and on adjusting to the very different style of the show
03:49
Elodie Keene on working with Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits, and producer David Milch on NYPD Blue
03:47
Elodie Keene on Gregory Hoblit and David Milch's respective contributions to NYPD Blue
01:24
Elodie Keene on Bill Clark, a former member of the New York City Police Department and a producer of NYPD Blue
02:51
Elodie Keene on Steven Bochco dealing with network censorship issues surrounding the language and nudity on NYPD Blue
03:00

Nip/Tuck

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on the challenges of shooting Ryan Murphy's Nip/Tuck
01:10
Elodie Keene on working with the cast of Nip/Tuck
02:25
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series' Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:15

Pretty Little Liars

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing ABC Family series like Pretty Little Liars
06:13

St. Elsewhere

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere for Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker
05:33
Elodie Keene on the shooting style of St. Elsewhere
02:27
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere
02:10
Elodie Keene on dealing with the actors while editing St. Elsewhere
01:03
Elodie Keene on how she was assigned episodes of St. Elsewhere to edit
00:48
Elodie Keene on the impact St. Elsewhere had on medical shows that followed
01:00

Switched at Birth

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing scenes on Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31

Tales of the Unexpected

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd
09:54

Wire, The

View Show Page
Elodie Keene on directing The Wire for show creator David Simon
05:36
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Elodie Keene on advice that has helped her as a director
04:03

Censorship / Standards & Practices

View Topic
Elodie Keene on Steven Bochco dealing with network censorship issues surrounding the language and nudity on NYPD Blue
03:00

Classic TV series episodes

View Topic
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto on My So-Called Life
03:21

Creative Influences and Inspiration

View Topic
Elodie Keene on what makes Ryan Murphy's work so groundbreaking, and on what it was like to work with him
03:52

Drama

View Topic
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto on My So-Called Life
03:21

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy for editing L.A. Law
03:18
Elodie Keene on winning an Emmy as producer of L.A. Law
03:07

First Big Break

View Topic
Elodie Keene on editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd
09:54

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Elodie Keene on advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law
03:48
Elodie Keene on how opportunities for women in the industry have changed since she started
03:59
Elodie Keene on directing the first lesbian kiss on television on L.A. Law, and on the lesbian scenes in Pretty Little Liars
02:12
Elodie Keene on directing scenes in Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31

LGBTQIA+

View Topic
Elodie Keene on directing the first lesbian kiss on television on L.A. Law, and on the lesbian scenes in Pretty Little Liars
02:12

New Media

View Topic
Elodie Keene on her work being watched on new media
02:23

People with Disabilities

View Topic
Elodie Keene on directing scenes on Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Elodie Keene on editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd
09:54
Elodie Keene on what makes Ryan Murphy's work so groundbreaking, and on what it was like to work with him
03:52

Pop Culture

View Topic
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto on My So-Called Life
03:21

Representation on Television

View Topic
Elodie Keene on advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law
03:48
Elodie Keene on how opportunities for women in the industry have changed since she started
03:59
Elodie Keene on directing the first lesbian kiss on television on L.A. Law, and on the lesbian scenes in Pretty Little Liars
02:12
Elodie Keene on directing scenes on Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31

Television Industry

View Topic
Elodie Keene on Steven Bochco dealing with network censorship issues surrounding the language and nudity on NYPD Blue
03:00
Elodie Keene on how the television industry has changed since she started, and on how directing for television has changed
05:31
Elodie Keene on having creative freedom as a director in television, and on getting notes from networks and studios
02:40
Elodie Keene on her work being watched on new media
02:23
Elodie Keene on advice that has helped her as a director
04:03

Women

View Topic
Elodie Keene on advocating for more female directors on L.A. Law
03:48
Elodie Keene on how opportunities for women in the industry have changed since she started
03:59
Professions

Directors

View Profession
Elodie Keene on what she likes about directing
06:22
Elodie Keene on her directing style
06:56
Elodie Keene on the differences between directing comedies like Scrubs and dramas
03:57
Elodie Keene on advice that has helped her as a director
04:03

Editor

View Profession
Elodie Keene on the formula for editing shows like Hart to Hart
02:57
Elodie Keene on a typical week directing an episode of L.A. Law
06:37

Post-Production Professionals

View Profession
Elodie Keene on the formula for editing shows like Hart to Hart
02:57
Elodie Keene on a typical week directing an episode of L.A. Law
06:37
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

View Genre
Elodie Keene on editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd
09:54

Comedy Series

View Genre
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story
23:54

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Elodie Keene on the formula for editing shows like Hart to Hart
02:57
Elodie Keene on directing episodes of NYPD Blue
14:51
Elodie Keene on directing The Closer with Kyra Sedgwick, and on the positive impact it has had for women on television
07:01
Elodie Keene on directing The Wire for show creator David Simon
05:38

Drama Series

View Genre
Elodie Keene on editing various Aaron Spelling shows, including Fantasy Island
06:14
Elodie Keene on directing My So-Called Life
13:37
Elodie Keene on directing ABC Family series like Pretty Little Liars
08:24
Elodie Keene on directing scenes on Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31
Elodie Keene on directing The Fosters, and on doing socially conscious work
04:18

Legal Dramas

View Genre
Elodie Keene on editing and directing L.A. Law
38:27

Medical Dramas

View Genre
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere
16:46
Elodie Keene on choosing ER as her next directing project
14:40
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story
23:56

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story
23:56

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

View Genre
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story
23:56
People

Steven Bochco

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on working with Steven Bochco and the other writers on L.A. Law
02:12
Elodie Keene on Steven Bochco dealing with network censorship issues surrounding the language and nudity on NYPD Blue
03:00

Bill Clark

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on Bill Clark, a former member of the New York City Police Department and a producer of NYPD Blue
02:51

Claire Danes

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto (who drove her to distraction) on My So-Called Life
03:21

Dennis Franz

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on working with Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits, and producer David Milch on NYPD Blue
03:47

Gregory Hoblit

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on Gregory Hoblit and David Milch's respective contributions to NYPD Blue
01:24

Winnie Holzman

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on directing My So-Called Life, created by Winnie Holzman
05:46

Jared Leto

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on directing Claire Danes and Jared Leto (who drove her to distraction) on My So-Called Life
03:21

Norman Lloyd

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on editing Tales of the Unexpected for Norman Lloyd
09:54

David Milch

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on Gregory Hoblit and David Milch's respective contributions to NYPD Blue
01:24

Ryan Murphy

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:14
Elodie Keene on what makes Ryan Murphy's work so groundbreaking, and on what it was like to work with him
03:52
Elodie Keene on directing for Ryan Murphy on the series Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story before being "banished"
06:13
Elodie Keene on what makes Ryan Murphy's work so groundbreaking, and on what it was like to work with him
03:52
Elodie Keene on the challenges of shooting Ryan Murphy's Nip/Tuck
01:10

Bruce Paltrow

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere for Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker
05:33

Kyra Sedgwick

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on directing The Closer with Kyra Sedgwick, and on the positive impact it has had for women on television
07:01

David Simon

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on directing The Wire for show creator David Simon
05:36

Jimmy Smits

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on working with Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits, and producer David Milch on NYPD Blue
03:47

Aaron Spelling

View Interview Page
Elodie Keene on editing various Aaron Spelling shows, including Fantasy Island
06:14

Mark Tinker

View Person Page
Elodie Keene on editing St. Elsewhere for Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker
05:33

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