Taryn is a writer, director, actress and co-founder of Scirens : The Screen Sirens for Science. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, she graduated from Duke University with a degree in Economics, Theater and Film. A working actress for 15 years, Taryn added writing to her repertoire after co-producing the Streamy nominated scifi web series AFTER JUDGMENT. Her first pilot script was a finalist at the New York TV Festival and her first writing job was a sci-fi action digital series for none other than Stan Lee. Taryn just finished her directorial debut: a Black Mirror-esque scifi short film called LIVE, which she wrote, directed, produced and starred in. She is currently submitting the short to festivals and adapting the project into a feature. Her passion for understanding the science and technology affecting our future lead her to co-found Scirens – a creative team that advocates for STEM literacy (STEM being Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and who are developing a slate of comedy series to encourage curiosity, critical thinking and champion women in STEM. She has appeared on Neil deGrasse Tyson’s STAR TALK LIVE and BILL NYE SAVES THE WORLD to discuss her Scirens work.

Having been an actor for 20 years, I found myself aching to tell stories in a more powerful way and directing seemed a natural progression for me. I called everyone I know in any position of authority in the film industry to ask how I could begin directing and they said ‘Make a film.’ So I did. And now that I see how much better I can influence multiple layers of storytelling as a director, I intend to make many more.