As a teenager, Sam Boyd would make short films and write screenplays with friends. This led him to eventually making the short “In a Relationship” at NYU with Nicholas Braun (Succession) and Dakota Johnson (50 Shades of Grey).

“That was where I learned to cut stuff together, how to Direct, and I was able to make it into a feature a couple years later with Emma Roberts (We’re the Millers) and Michael Angarano (Almost Famous).”

This work eventually led him to the spec script for Love Life, which is now an anthology series on HBO Max. In his latest series, Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) stars as Darby, where audiences are invited to follow her through an anthology series about first love and lasting loves.

In this interview, Boyd discusses taking the pressure off of drafts and shorts, why he appreciates humanistic filmmaking, how to push the boundaries of television real estate, and why profoundly simple truths make the best stories.

If you enjoyed this interview, look for the print version on Creative Screenwriting’s website, and join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5