We were lucky to catch up with Heather Fusari recently and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve always been drawn to telling stories about history- knowing where we come from, what happened in the past that has aided in shaping our present state of being. We weren’t born with the privileges we have today; therefore, what was it like to be a woman in the mid 1800’s? I love asking questions then diving into the exploration through research, traveling, reading biographies- to feel grounded in the experience of another human being. I feel it creates empathy and compassion, but also a deep sense of gratitude for those who have come before me.
I find it disturbingly fascinating how people walk around with this entitlement for having accomplished absolutely nothing, meanwhile, women like Katherine Packard, if you read her life’s story, fought through one horrendous struggle after another while being admitted into an insane asylum. All the while being of perfectly sound mind, and solely because she had an opinion that differed from her husband’s. She went on to draft a bill in congress that was passed and forced asylums to actually investigate patients who were to be admitted, allowing women who’d be locked away and abused for decades, on the mere say-so of their husband. She is only ONE example of the many stories in our history that reveal the impact one voice can have on our future, if directed in a productive way.
I also love telling stories that bring awareness; shining light to help create change, for the better. My first film ‘Her Calling’ is based on Mansfield Female College, the first female college west of the Mississippi. The college was a place where young women could study foreign languages, art and science. Sadly the college had to close their doors for two years during the Civil War to serve as a hospital for many of the wounded soldiers. Researching and delving into this period of time at the physical space where young women studied to better themselves was truly enlightening. Graciously my crew and I, had the blessing and permission to film in the actual college, now a beautiful museum- MFC museum. Writing this script, shooting it and getting to show it to the world, has, to this day been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve done.
Heather, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, a place that had little to no art, theatre, etc- opportunities. We had one theatre for touring companies to come to town of which was too expensive to attend, except when my grams who get a free ticket for volunteering as an usher. Those were always a hit or miss, one time I was fortunate to attend the performance of a beautiful orchestra, but then another time my father and I went to a fun little play called ‘Avenue Q’ which, is funny, unless you’re there with your way too conservative dad and there’s naked puppets on stage humping and their version of a sex scene. Neat-less to say, we both agreed to leave at intermission and never speak of the awkwardness of that moment, until now, apparently.
So not having much around me to influence this career path, I involved myself fully in sports, being outdoors, reading, and just having fun. The connection between my surroundings and this life I live now would come from the summers my mom’s family would visit and I’d write and put on ‘plays’ for the show we put on for intimate setting of five family members. I always loved those moments because it was a collaboration of freedom mixed with child-like creativity. The world was just open in that moment to explore whatever we wanted and not give a damn.
Now, again, coming from a background and environment where that wasn’t thought to be an actual profession, I left it alone- went on to study to be a police officer, attend college- all the things I was ‘supposed to do’. But it was boring, uneventful and the mundane sameness was driving me crazy. So when my innate voice became louder, I gave in, went to my favorite place- Barnes and Nobles, and picked up an acting book, sat down right in front of that bookshelf and just read all I could. I absorbed what I could, started reading all the plays I could get my hands on, did research to find out what, if any, places I could go to study this thing called acting. I was no longer attending college, in fact I picked up two jobs to save money so I could go and study where one of my all-time favorite Actors studied, Gary Oldman and Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, Kent, UK. Then after studying there for what could only be a summer due to my visa not being approved and everything being doubly priced (the dollar was half the worth of the pound) I came back to the states. Though my acting teacher, Sir Tony James, begged me to come back, I just couldn’t afford it. Not unless I split myself and found a sugar daddy who could pick-up the tab of my flat, because as a student, you weren’t allowed to work in the UK, too.
Back in the states, I got back to work- researched where I could attend that I could afford to go to, put out my applications – all in New York City, and hustled to make it happen. I flew up to NY to do an in-person interview at the Neighborhood Playhouse, got completely lost in the crazy subway system, but made it there on time with only a little sweat on my brow. Flew back home to Florida, found out I was accepted, packed up and moved to NYC. No, it wasn’t that easy, this is of course the summarized version, but overall it was this direct.
I studied in NYC, one year at the playhouse- it wasn’t what I hoped- too much politics and laziness from my acting teacher- the great take away from attending the NPH was my introduction to stage combat and modern dance. I then studied one year with Eric Morris Technique coach Anthony Bova, performed a few plays on off-off broadway, then moved to LA.
Los Angeles was an interesting experience, I found some great, a lot not-so-much, but I was introduced to a really great film collaborative group called ‘We Make Movies’ where we met once a week to do script readings, improv, screenings; I even created with my producing partner David Beatty, an evening where filmmakers would bring their works in-progress to screen and get constructive feedback on their project before picture locking. I studied 3 days a week with the amazing Tim Phillips who helped my craft become very specific and fun, and I found my niche for loving the behind-the-camera work. Artist friends and I would get together each weekend and shoot, we’d take turns writing, shooting, editing all to grow our knowledge and experience – eventually working on one the most fun projects, a webseries called ‘Get Spy’- created by David Beatty, whom I have a deep admiration for and is purely a genius.
After three years I left LA to head towards the Southeast, a much less expensive place to live and where I’d ultimately be able to afford more time for my craft and less waiting tables. I’ve been in/around Atlanta for four years, having a pit stop in New Orleans. I created my production company Badb Films (pronounced ‘Bahv’ – an Irish Goddess), I’ve produced three films, written four features, in pre-production on two films, and performed in over thirty productions performing stunts. I’m always looking to grow, learn and connect with amazing filmmakers and artists, and that’s presently exactly what I’m doing. So HELLO :)
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of not only being but trusting my artist journey, is the witnessing of hard work coming to fruition. As I’ve produced several projects, there is so much work that is involved and an infinite amount of details that must come together for each, one day, of filming. Therefore, working my butt off to make that one + day on set happen for our collective group, is truly amazing! I love getting to bring on extremely talented people who have so much to give creatively, to setting a space for them to shine, but to feel their soul expanding as they do what feeds their spirit.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
ad years where I have nearly given up, I’ve hit rock bottom and not only do I not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I couldn’t even see my own hand in front of my face. But those struggles, the feelings of despair forced me to re-evaluate, to look at how I was feeding my energy into the wrong place. To people who haven’t walked in your shoes, they can’t understand that feeling of pure ecstacy you feel in those moments on stage or in front of the camera where you get to let that child-like energy out again, where you get to play and feel free to be you, vulnerable, raw and authentically YOU ‘bent’ (as Robert Duvall likes to say).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BadbFilms.com
- Instagram: @heatherfusari
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hfusari
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSU6cDMLqhiRKZK–rXhVw
- Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user100972595
Image Credits
Primary photo: Chase Anderson ‘All of Me’ behind-the-scenes: Francis O’Hanlon Stunt/Fireshot: Steven Legate ‘Her Calling’ BTS: Jonathan Hammond- Director of Photographer ‘Within Reach’: Blake Studwell