One thread that bound McCurdy and Tran together was an early ambition to direct. While Hollywood viewed McCurdy strictly as an on-screen performer, she often spoke of her desire to write and direct original narratives. Tran followed a similar path, transitioning from acting gigs on Disney and indie productions into directing horror films, music videos, and commercial shorts.
In 2023, Tran directed the Lionsgate survival-horror feature Snow Falls, demonstrating his ability to handle feature-length genre storytelling. McCurdy, meanwhile, directed acclaimed short films such as Kenny (2018) and Strong Independent Women (2019) before releasing her groundbreaking 2022 memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died.
Their mutual pivot to directing was not coincidental. Both came of age during an era when young performers had minimal control over their work. Directing offered autonomy. Having a friend traveling a parallel creative road provided practical insight, from navigating crew politics to pitching independent projects.
