Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Foss.
Hi Hailey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My introduction to the film industry came when my mom took me to be an extra on the set of Heartland, about ten years ago now. I remember being in complete awe watching how a set really works. It’s like a machine, with so many moving parts and cast and crew from every department working together in tandem. That behind-the-scenes view truly ignited something in me. I knew I wanted to be involved in TV and film any way I could.
After high school, I went to Vancouver and New York to pursue acting and attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. As I was growing as an actor, I also started stepping into crew roles to get more involved in the film community – working as a PA, Assistant Director, and Production Coordinator. That on-the-job experience gave me an enormous amount of knowledge: scheduling, call sheets, actor contracts, the full picture of how a production comes together. It’s all proven invaluable. I carry everything I’ve learned into the projects I’m now writing and developing myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh no, not a smooth road. I mean, nothing is really guaranteed in this industry and there is a lot of uncertainty – it can definitely be scary at times. The best advice I got was to find something outside of acting that brings you joy. Once I started doing production roles and helping other creators bring their projects to life, I was so much more fulfilled. This has also taken some of the pressure off of acting, allowing me to let go after I do an audition.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actress, screenwriter, and producer! On the acting side, my credits include Prank Night (streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi) and Lockbox Trails (Numera Films) – both of which I was honoured to be nominated for AMPIA Rosie Awards in 2025. I’ve also been working with Numera Films as a Production Manager and Coordinator on Eyes in the Woods (streaming on OutTV), Abracadavers Season 3 (coming soon), and Zoo Street (coming soon).
On the writing and producing side, I’m currently developing two projects: a horror/thriller feature film with my co-writer Emily Howard, and a mystery TV series called Cloverleaf, which was just selected as a Quarterfinalist for the Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition! These are probably the things I’m most proud of, and all projects that hold a special place in my heart.
And I have some exciting things coming up! As an actress, you can catch me in Cowgirl for Christmas (Lifetime Network, coming soon) and LUMI, which premieres at CIFF this September. I was also the Assistant Production Coordinator on Smudge the Blades and A Long Winter, both of which are premiering at TIFF and CIFF this September as well!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The production manager in me wants to say Google Drive, haha! Gosh, it keeps me so organized and it’s so satisfying. But something more fun: I have been loving anything by Andrea Mara. She’s an Irish fiction novelist who writes a fantastic who-dun-it and is a great inspiration for storytelling. My favourite acting books have been William Esper’s The Actor’s Guide to Creating a Character (on Meisner technique, character work and impediments) and Jenna Fischer’s The Actor’s Life, which is brilliant for navigating the industry as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haileyfoss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailey_foss/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7858678/
