Today we’d like to introduce you to Annetta Marion

Hi Annetta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My story has been the opposite of a straight and easy path! But it has been a fun one too.

I loved art when I was growing up in Western Pennsylvania. I was obsessed with drawing (rock stars mostly, Jim Morrison was my favorite), and decorating all my school books. I assumed I would go to art school after high school.

Then suddenly I was in high school, about to make some big decisions about college. I looked around at everyone that I knew, and thought maybe I should do something besides art where I could be more guaranteed to make money right out of college. The trouble was that I had no idea what that could be.

So I went to my guidance counselor; she looked at all my (good) grades, especially in math, physics and computers, and said I should go to college for computer engineering. It was that simple. So that’s what I did, waiting tables the whole time to pay for it all.

I graduated and was working as a computer engineer in Cleveland, Ohio when I accidentally directed my first movie with some friends. I absolutely fell in love with story-telling. I had finally found my passion and my life purpose.

I was so focused on survival up to that point that I honestly wasn’t even aware that I didn’t know what my passion was yet. That’s okay though; I finally found it, started over in the film and television business, and I’m not going anywhere anytime soon :)

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

I don’t know that much of anything in life is a smooth journey, and that certainly includes switching careers at a young age and starting over without any real plan, guidance or support.

I had negotiated six months of benefits when I left my computer engineering job so I had that time to intern, i.e., work for free, to learn what I could in this new film world. I worked my butt off in exchange for experience and knowledge, and started working professionally in film and television entry level positions by the end of those six months. Whew! And I never looked back.

So then I was working in film and television, and moved to New York where there was so much more opportunity. I was making a living on the production side of the business, i.e., production assistant, production manager, line producer, producer etc. but I had changed my career to *direct* movies, not to produce them. So I kept directing my own work, directing independently on my own, while I worked my way up on the producer side of the business to learn and survive.

It was a struggle to quit my first professional career to start another. It was a struggle to transition into directing professionally after I was established as a producer. Every project is a struggle in some way, whether it be financial or access or time or scheduling, but I love what I do so very very much that doesn’t stop me at all. “Bring it on.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m a Primetime Emmy Award-winning, Oscar short-listed, and Peabody Award and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker, showrunner and director. I’m known for my work on “Oprah’s Master Class,” NBC’s “Making It” with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, and most recently, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” that I produced and second unit directed.

I direct scripted work and documentaries. I’m known for my preparation while also being open to what the universe provides on the day. I’m grace under pressure and very curious about what makes people tick. I don’t believe in mistakes, I believe in looking at challenging situations as opportunities to see things differently – and trust me – that can change your world.

I’m a never-ending student of my filmmaking craft and a mentor to many. And I’m also now very honored to be mentored by others too.

What does success mean to you?

Success is having enough. Making a contribution and having fun. And being able to do what I’ve been put here on earth to do. I am always striving for peace and joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annettamarion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annettalm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annetta.marion/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AnnettaLM

Image Credits

Kevin Winter

Jarrod Kloeber

Meredith Kaulfers

Steve Moon

Matt Bass