Megan Park

Megan Park (nacida el 24 de julio de 1986) es una directora, escritora, productora y actriz canadiense. En 2021, Park hizo su debut como directora de largometrajes con The Fallout , que ganó tres premios en South by Southwest, incluyendo el Gran Premio del Jurado y el Premio del Público en 2021. Otros premios otorgados a Park por su trabajo en The Fallout incluyen: el Premio Brightcove Illumination para un cineasta en ascenso y 'Mejor Directora' en South by Southwest, el Premio 'Director a Seguir' del Festival Internacional de Cine de Palm Springs, el Premio 'Directores Emergentes' del Festival de Cine de Cannes y el Premio 'Estrella en Ascenso' del TIFF. ^{[ 1 ]} La película fue lanzada más tarde en HBO Max . Su segunda película como directora, My Old Ass , se estrenó en el Festival de Cine de Sundance de 2024 y fue lanzada por Amazon MGM Studios .

Nacida en Lindsay, Ontario , Park comenzó su carrera como actriz con pequeños papeles a partir de los 6 años. Asistió a la escuela secundaria Oakridge en London, Ontario . También formó parte del programa Original Kids Theatre. ^{[ 2 ]} Proveniente de un pueblo pequeño de Canadá, inicialmente no creía que escribir y dirigir fuera una opción. ^{[ 3 ]}

Los primeros papeles importantes de Park fueron una aparición especial en la serie de Lifetime Angela's Eyes y un papel secundario en la película independiente Charlie Bartlett . ^{[ 4 ]} Park participó como invitada en la serie de Disney Channel Life with Derek como Amy, el interés amoroso de Derek y exnovia de Max, la jefa de las animadoras. En la serie de ABC Family The Secret Life of the American Teenager , interpretó a uno de los personajes principales, Grace Bowman , una adolescente cristiana conservadora y animadora que, junto con su novio, lucha con su voto de pureza hasta el matrimonio. ^{[ 4 ]}

In 2013, Park lost the role of Nicki in the sitcom Undateable to Briga Heelan. Heelan had originally been cast in the role but was believed to be unable to continue when her sitcom Ground Floor was renewed for a second season. The part was recast with Park, however when Heelan's schedule was adjusted to allow her to appear on both shows, Heelan took back the role.^[5]

In 2014, Park portrayed Jules in the horror-thriller film Demonic, directed by Will Canon.^[6] In 2015, Park portrayed Lindsay in the Hallmark Channel movie A Wish Come True, directed by Mark Rosman.^[7]

In 2009, Park, Codi Caraco and Brandi Cyrus formed the band Frank + Derol, in which she sang and played bass guitar.^[8] In 2010, Park left the band to focus on her acting career.

Park slowly started to transition from acting to her newfound interest in filmmaking. Park secretly wrote a pilot about a girl trapped in a TV show, which was bought by a major studio but never produced. This experience helped her realize her passion for writing and directing. Park has specifically mentioned how her acting background has influenced her comfort with sets and working with actors.^[9] Her filmmaking philosophy includes focusing heavily on truth as a key guiding principle in her storytelling. She has explained that she wants to make films that allow people to feel empathy and connection.^[10] She co-wrote and co-directed the web series "We're Adults Now" with Canadian writer Katie Boland.^[11] Park's first feature film as writer-director, The Fallout, premiered at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021,^[12] and was released on January 27, 2022, on HBO Max by New Line Cinema.^[13] Her second feature film as writer-director, My Old Ass, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024,^[14] was given a limited theatrical release in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios on September 13, 2024.^[15] Both films star young, independent, female actresses, with their stories addressing important issues such as PTSD, gun violence, girlhood, sexuality, and their effects on young women.

Park has discussed the thematic contrast between her films, explaining that after the emotional heaviness of The Fallout, My Old Ass focuses on a more uplifting and nostalgic tone, aiming to provide an emotional balance for audiences. Her motivation for making My Old Ass included citing personal reflections as a new mom and the need to create stories that make people feel good, especially amid global challenges. My Old Ass was filmed in Muskoka, Ontario, where the cast and crew lived in cabins by connecting lakes, creating a very relaxed and special atmosphere on set. Park has shared that filming on boats was one of the biggest challenges, with the difficulty of filming in such a setting due to reception issues.^[16]

Park también ha dirigido varios videos musicales, algunos de los cuales han obtenido una atención significativa, incluyendo videos para artistas como Billie Eilish , Gucci Mane , Mike Posner , Alina Baraz y Blackbear , con un total colectivo de 50 millones de visualizaciones. ^{[ 17 ]}

En 2006, Park comenzó a salir con el actor y cantante estadounidense Tyler Hilton después de conocerlo en el set de Charlie Bartlett . ^{[ 18 ]} Se comprometieron en diciembre de 2013 ^{[ 19 ]} y se casaron el 10 de octubre de 2015. ^{[ 20 ]} El 20 de diciembre de 2019, dieron la bienvenida a una hija. Su segundo hijo, un varón, nació en 2024. Park y Hilton terminaron su matrimonio en 2026. ^{[ 21 ]}

• Megan Park en IMDb