Danielle Savre on setting boundaries and letting go of perfection

I know this is an emotionally heavy show, so what does your self-care routine look like?

Oh my goodness! It depends. It can be physically and emotionally taxing at times. As you saw this season, Maya had a ton of emotions and ups and downs and very hard scenes to shoot. 

From an emotional standpoint, it can be really hard at times to get my head out of those spaces after I’m done filming. I did struggle a little bit with getting out of that headspace. There were a couple episodes we shot that I just couldn’t get out of it. Having that support system around you, trying to make sure I’m going to watch a funny movie tonight, or go out with friends … whatever I think might get me in the right headspace and remind me that where I got my head to get to for those emotional scenes is not reality. Chocolate never hurts! I think anyone that knows me I have a sweet tooth so that always helps as well. 

My self-care routine for the physically taxing stuff is making sure I do preventative care. Stretching, yoga, going to an infrared sauna and listening to a meditation … I love doing that and it’s really close to the stages so that’s always great for my mind and body.

It’s taxing both physically and emotionally, which is what makes it so rewarding but those would be my self-care routines — and of course sleep!

What was your favorite moment directing or acting wise in this week’s episode?

I kind of forgot I was acting because I felt like I had the director’s hat on, so when I was watching the episode and editing it with our editor, I was like ‘wow I have that huge scene with Jonathan Slavin where I’m yelling at the angry driver.’ That was a rewarding scene as an actor to do and see how it turned out because on the day, I was just directing, and I couldn’t even remember what I did in that scene.

From directing, the episode as a whole. I can’t pick one specific scene. I am so grateful that Emily Culver (the writer) gave me so much to work with. She really challenged me in the best ways. She knows I do well under pressure so that’s maybe why she did that. I love our entire crew and how they came together and really supported me throughout the entire episode from prep to post. They showed how much they love me because they really all brought it and everything I asked for. Every vision I had, the DP executed perfectly, the camera operators knocked out of the park, and the actors were on point the entire time as well.

The whole experience was so rewarding as a whole. It’s bittersweet because I’ll never experience it as a first again. Now the scary experience will be to knock the second one out of the park as well. I’ll always cherish this first episode and how everyone showed up for me in ways I’ll never be able to verbalize — I’m so grateful and thankful to our crew and cast. 

I know you’re working on getting your pilot’s license. Talk a little about that. How is it going?

It’s been on hold because my brain has been completely wrapped up in directing and making sure I give all my time to that, but I am going to be getting back into it after this week. My episode airs and then I have an online convention to do with the fans on Sunday, which I’m excited about, then next week I’m gonna start flying again! Most schools require 40 hours, which I’m close to, but the problem is that I don’t want to get my license until I feel like I’m ready. When I take these breaks, I need to do a whole refresher course to get back to where I feel comfortable. It would be nice to get my license during this hiatus, if I can complete it, but if not, hopefully by the end of the year.