ONE OF THE foremost directors and producers of the modern television era, reading over Michelle MacLaren's CV is like taking a stroll through a small-screen palace of treasures. Game of Thrones, Westworld, The X-Files, Better Call Saul and, of course Breaking Bad, the one-person powerhouse has been involved with seminal programming since her first job as production manager on 1990's 21 Jump Street spinoff, Booker.

Given local television platform OSN's tie up with America's HBO network, for which Michelle makes many of her shows, the Canadian found herself at the Dubai International Film Festival this week to impart some of her content-creating wisdom to a room full of eager producers and directors of the future with her class 'Primetime with Michelle MacLaren'. Held in the DIFF Forum Room, it was a fantastic contribution to the festival's film community development schedule and discussed the art of cinematography and turning scripts to shows.

Before the event we grabbed a few minutes with the visionary and the conversation began with a revelation about Dubai: it may be appearing in a major TV programme soon.

"I'd like to do an action sequence off of the Burj Al Arab," MacLaren said after recounting her previous day's activities, visiting Deira and the Burj Khalifa where she described a photo she took from the base of the world's tallest building as 'dramatic'.

"I would love to shoot in Dubai. You have multiple extremes. You have the old city, the waterways, the new architecture, the desert and then you have the ocean. I'd love to film here. I'm already thinking about it!"

Given MacLaren's penchant for high-suspense and in her own words 'testosterone' guided projects, we wouldn't be surprised if she does follow through on her claim. NCIS, The Walking Dead, or any number of previous endeavours in MacLaren's stable are evidence of her love for taking big action to the small screen. Although it was her most recent work on '70s-based hit The Deuce starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, centring on the adult film business, that the director cited to explain, for her, it's not all about male-led programmes.

"It's surprising to me that I tend to gravitate towards the more testosterone-driven shows. I love doing that and they're very much my sensibilities. But I love doing drama as well. Doing The Deuce, I really thought about it. I thought, 'what is my responsibility as a woman in doing a show like this?' I said it's very important to me that it is grounded and real and that it's not gratuitous." MacLaren was responding to an inquiry into women in the film industry, a point highlighted at this year's DIFF with its 'Women at the Helm' panel discussion.

"I don't think of myself as a female producer or director. I'm a director and producer that happens to be a woman. Storytelling is very subjective. Your personal point of view is going to come through in whatever you do.

"The Deuce's writers wrote a story about the misogyny that started then. I find The Deuce very female empowering because these women are survivors."

It was a firm set of egalitarian principles set by her parents, which MacLaren credits with her success in the entertainment business - the thought that no matter who you are, or where you come from, with hard work anyone can succeed.

"When I have ever been faced with situations where I was treated differently because I was a woman, I always chose to think, 'that's their loss,'" she gave as advice to others looking to follow in her footsteps. "It's easier said than done in some situations, but I truly believe everyone is equal. Women need to approach things with the belief and confidence that we are all equal."

The X-Files, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul; three shows with a common thread: you and writer, producer, director Vince Gilligan. How do you guys do it?

I have so many wonderful memories from everything I've worked on. But I will say, in life there's hard work and there's luck. I've had a lot of both. The first time I directed on The X-Files it was written by Vince Gilligan and the first time Vince directed, I was producing. That was a gift that keeps on giving. We have very similar sensibilities, although I would never compare myself to the great Vince! I love working with him. We are developing a project together for HBO right now - a miniseries called Raven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones. Vince is writing it and I'm directing it. Jim may direct some too. We'll see. And then when I leave here (Dubai) I'm heading to Albuquerque to shoot Better Call Saul. Peter Gould (co-creator) and Vince Gilligan are a dynamic team on that show and of course Bob Odenkirk and everybody is amazing.

david@khaleejtimes.com