Maria Simone is the person behind Tiger Alley Productions.  She holds post graduate qualifications in the field of journalism.  In 1996 she completed a Bachelor of Arts.  Maria studied drama under Geoffrey Rush while in high school and attended workshops with Magpie Theatre under his tutoring.

For over 10 years Maria participated voluntarily in community projects for theatre, radio and television.  While working in front of the camera and in leading roles on stage were gratifying, over the last two years interest for behind the scenes facets started to appeal to her.  An idea developed for a short film.  She felt very passionate about it.  Inevitably she had to pursue writing, directing, filming, editing and producing in order to realize the project.

During pre and post production it became evident that the behind the scenes attracted Maria more than acting itself.

Presently Maria Simone is working on two scripts for film and one for a documentary.  Ideas are never in shortage but the film maker enjoys taking on board colleagues' suggestions, including those of her actors: "You could be missing out on the best potential by being set only on your own ways.  My view isn't necessarily the right one ... I refuse to limit my work out of arrogance.  I make the final decisions but others' input can mean the best possible results."

Maria enjoys the lavish sets of Golden Era Hollywood classics by directors like Cecil B. DeMille.

Rudolph Valentino is a silent genre favourite.  From contemporary directors Spielberg is  her choice of best director, with Memoirs Of A Geisha and Indiana Jones on the top of her list.  Adventure films are somewhat of a weakness for Maria and she often revisits movies like Romancing The Stone/Jewel Of The Nile.

Maria Simone as a director and film maker draws inspiration from classic films that have left an era.  She finds the allure of magic and romance in epics unchallengeable and likes to marry old flavours with fresh concepts to create a unique amalgam of her own.