Conversations With Creatives — Mary Lou Belli
I interviewed my pal, Emmy award-winning TV director, Mary Lou Belli
I’ve known Mary Lou for 12 years now. I promise that what I’m about to say is not hyperbole, I seriously have never met anyone as giving of their time and knowledge when it comes to nurturing and encouraging people in the business. And on a personal note, the holidays are not the holidays without me eating approximately a dozen of Mary Lou’s crazy delicious warm gorgonzola bruschetta bites. Is it Christmas yet?
The Qs and The As
Q: When I was three years old, I put my hands on the TV over Carol Burnett’s face and declared that I was going to be in the TV. Did you also know you wanted to be in showbiz as a child?
A: I wanted to be a nun, then a chef, then an actress/singer/dancer.
Q: What was your first job in Hollywood and how did you get it?
A: I was an understudy for a teen on a TV sitcom. Basically, I rehearsed with adult-actors when that actress was in school…That actress, Megan Follows, is now a director herself…in addition to her successful acting career.
Q: As an actor, I often hear that the directing starts with casting. When you are in the call back session, watching actors, do you feel that you often know within the first minute if the person is right for the role? If so, why do you think that is?
A: Less than a minute, actually. First, they know if they have “become” this character and I recognize that certainty instantly. The rest of the audition is about acting choices and whether they are directable…and nice…nice is important too.
Q: We know that even though women make up half the TV and film watching population, there has always been a disparity between women and men working in Hollywood, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. According to the numbers, things are slowly getting better for women. Are you noticing the changes?
A: HUGE changes in TV. And the DGA spearheaded so much of it. With the cooperation of the studios, we have seen our numbers grow! Then, when these directors get more and more eps, the perception grows how good we are at this job.
Q: Early in your career did someone in the biz offer you advice that really stuck with you?
A: Yes, on my first Hollywood job, Ian Praiser, the show’s co-creator along with Howard Gewirtz, told me “There are no roadblocks, only detours.”
Q: What does success mean to you?
A: Happiness and learning something new every day…and more recently, mentoring the next gen of directors.
Q: Favorite film, TV show, book.
A: Many genres from Running on Empty, to Notting Hill to La Femme Nikita.
Q: I’m going to ask you something people are always asking me, how do you find the energy for all that you do? But I’ll be more specific: Do you have a routine in your life that you stick to that helps you stay balanced? Are you a super organized person?
A: I get up early and stay up late..and set realistic boundaries about what I can accomplish. And I balance by cooking and gardening. And I love what I do so nothing ever seems like work.
Q: Was there a specific moment on any set that was so joyous that you often think back on it?
A: Every time an actor “finds” the scene…I relish it.
Q: When you are writing a book, what does that look like? Do you need total silence, solitude, music, how many hours per day?
A: I thought I needed long periods of time…got over that quick…but I do LOVE quiet. Even as a student I would study at a carrell in the library.
Q: These days, and by that I mean all of 2020, what does a normal day look like for you?
A: too hard to answer…shooting different from prep. not working different from working. just say, it’s all about the mask and workarounds to the barriers they pose.
Q: Final words of advice?
A: Give to get.
Find Mary Lou Belli’s books on Amazon!
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