Before her directorial debut, Malia gained experience in television production and writing. She later worked as a writer on the series Swarm, a project associated with creator Donald Glover. Her work in the entertainment industry showed that her ambitions were not limited to public appearances or the symbolic role of a former first daughter. She was building experience in the practical process of developing stories for the screen.
The attraction of making something with your own hands
In a digital profession, much of the work can be difficult to see. A writer may spend hours revising a paragraph. A filmmaker may review the same scene repeatedly. A designer may adjust tiny details that viewers will never consciously notice. The final result can appear effortless even when the process was demanding.
