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…