Daniela Ruah is entering a new chapter in her career, but she’s bringing key lessons from NCIS: Los Angeles with her. The actress-turned-director will debut her short film My Type at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, marking her first narrative project behind the camera.
Ruah credits her experience directing multiple episodes of network television for shaping her approach. “Directing a procedural teaches you how to multitask and stay flexible,” she says. “Preparation is everything.”
That philosophy was tested during My Type’s shoot when the production ran out of 16mm film mid-schedule. Thanks to careful planning and a focused crew, the team was able to restructure scenes and keep the story intact—an experience Ruah calls both challenging and rewarding.