Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Andries.
Hi Shane, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out doing high school plays in Houston at Cypress Creek High School. I asked my theatre teacher—my first real mentor—if I could direct a school play (Proof), and she actually said yes. We built the set ourselves, and I ended up both acting in and directing the show. That was the first time I really understood how much I loved directing.
I was also a catcher in baseball, which is basically the director on the field—the pitcher’s the movie star, if you will.
I went on to study drama at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and my first job out of school was performing as a Blue Man with Blue Man Group. I was a drummer growing up, so Blue Man was this perfect blend of percussion and non-verbal performance.
But my goal was always to write and direct. While I was on tour, I wrote my first screenplay, submitted it to the Slamdance Screenplay Competition, and it won the Grand Prize. That launched my writing career. After a few options that went nowhere, I decided to write something I could actually direct.
I went back to my Houston roots and developed a film about Mattress Mack—an icon in Houston. His wild origin story, but more importantly his relationship with his daughter during her struggle with OCD as a teenager. It’s a story about purpose and healing. We shot the film in Houston, not far from where I directed that first high school play, which made it a true full-circle moment.
My next dream (a little foreshadow here) is to write a biopic about Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon. He just doesn’t know it yet, ha. These are the stories I grew up with in Houston, and they’re the films I want to see—so I’m making them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The life of an artist is a life of rejection, uncertainty, and heartbreak. The highs are incredibly high, and the lows can be just as extreme. What’s been hard? A million no’s. Spending five years on a script that goes nowhere. Pouring countless hours into projects that will never see the light of day. But over time, I’ve learned to fall in love with the process, not the end result.
Having a wife of fifteen years, two beautiful girls, and an energetic pup keeps me grounded. One day I’m directing a movie, and the next day I’m doing laundry, washing dishes, and cutting the grass. My career feels less heavy because I don’t give it the same weight I used to.
I just try to show up, chase the things that excite me, and take on the work that keeps the lights on. I want to make great movies—stories that make people laugh and cry. The road to that doesn’t necessarily get easier, but I’m learning better ways to handle the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a writer/director who wants to tell stories that make people laugh and cry—stories about how we find our best selves in the worst moments. I want to make movies actors want to be in. Coming from an acting background, I love working with actors and exploring the kinds of relationships that feel specific, lived-in, and uniquely human.
I’m drawn to stories that highlight our flaws, the contradictions we carry, and the surprising compassion that comes from those imperfections. Those are the moments that move me, and those are the films I want to make.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being kind without being a pushover. Staying humble and grateful. A willingness to learn and grow, while also knowing when to lead. A collaborative spirit paired with the confidence to steer the ship when it matters. Those are the qualities I try to bring to every project.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneandries/
Image Credits
Photographer: Gabe Yeh
