Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Bell
Hi Missy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started as a stage actor when I was around the age of 3. My dad was a pastor (now retired), and within the church setting I had lots of opportunities to perform. I got serious about the craft at age 15, when I moved to a new high school with a musical theatre program. I had an amazing director who taught us about professionalism and excellence, and I went to college hoping to continue working on the stage in that capacity.
At 19 I was pulled aside by a professor who told me that she felt I should try my hand at directing, and she paired me with a playwright. While I still loved acting, directing came easily to me and through a series of circumstances in my early twenties I was assigned the position of theatre teacher at the high school where I’d been teaching English literature. I adored everything about running the theatre program, but it took so much time, and when I had my second child, I realized it was time to call it quits in public education. My kids both have special needs, and I homeschooled them both while maintaining my acting and directing chops in various levels of professional and community theatre work.
In 2014, we moved to Asheville, NC and I dove headlong into the theatre community as soon as I could.
While directing a production of Romeo and Juliet for Anam Cara Theatre Company, Kevin Patrick Murphy (of the Actors Center of Asheville) asked me if I’d ever done any film work.
At the time I was very against doing film work. I felt theatre was the pure art form and I was pretty snobby about it, but he talked me into taking some of his classes and before long I had an acting agent.
Sitting in acting classes one of the main complaints from folks was how to get footage for a reel when they couldn’t get work, but they needed work to have a reel. I wanted to help folks, so I signed up for an intro to filmmaking class at The Asheville School of Film with Brad Hoover. During the class we were required to write a short screenplay and pitch it to the class to see whose film we would make together. My film won the pitch. It was called “Sink”. I got to direct it over two days, and it was thrilling beyond words. Brad told me that this is what I needed to be doing with my life.
My kids were getting older, so I was able to dedicate a little more time. I made two more shorts that year (2019). Eventually, I dropped my acting agent so that I could fully dedicate myself to directing film. I’ve made 12 shorts and this year I’m directing my first feature: Erased.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The most difficult thing has been balancing family life with the work I’m doing.
Directing is a part of me. Creating and storytelling are major major parts of me as a human. I could work on it constantly, but I have a family, and they need me too. I want to be the best mom I can be. The balance of holding understanding that directing and creating and storytelling are necessary for me to feel happy, but also that I love my family, and I want to be there for them. Sacrificing either of those puts me into a dark place.
Other difficulties have been facing the reality that as a woman I am not afforded the same opportunities as my male counterparts. I have been passed over for work because “I don’t yet have a feature under my belt” and watched the same company then hire a man with even less experience than me. I’ve also found that new crew members who are male often carry bias with them or chips on their shoulders when it comes to taking orders from a woman. They usually get in line relatively quickly when they realize I know what I’m doing and the production will go on with or without them, but it’s been an ugly thing to face. I didn’t want to believe those things, but this career has forced me to see it and manage it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a director making films about people who are ready to step off the ledge. I love telling an efflorescent story that leaves people with questions and keeps them talking long after they leave the theatre.
I’m most proud of my awards from Valkyrie International Film Festival – one for Empowerment and one for Social Impact. Keeping folks thinking forward about how the world can be better is vital. These awards show that my work makes a difference to audiences, and that is the whole point.
Other than those things above, what else sets me apart? I’m focused, dedicated, and extremely quick with my decisions. Once I know my vision for a piece, I’m able to get things done quickly. Crew members often comment on my ability to know exactly what I want and how to communicate that. I also run my sets with kindness first. It’s surprising how many folks don’t bother with kindness. People feeling safe makes for much better creative practice and more excellent collaboration. I always want that infused throughout my projects, and I work hard to make sure it happens every time.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My strong visioning and my ability to communicate that. Communication is truly everything in this business.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.missybell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missybell_arts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missybellarts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@missybell_arts
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9597334/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_missy%2520bell
