Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Hronicek.
Mary, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am the mom of three girls whom I love with my whole heart (Allyssa, Rachel, and Maggie). Much of my adult life was focused on parenting, raising, mentoring, supporting, encouraging and challenging those three vibrant, intelligent, girls as they discovered their passions and grew into independent young women.
When I turned 50, I decided it was time to focus on challenging myself, pushing my boundaries, discovering and nourishing my creativity. In this time of new adventures, I entered the local indie scene. I found a world of art, creativity and passion. I chose to explore the local indie film scene from behind the camera and from in front of the camera. Over the past five years, I have acted in over 80 projects (film, television, web-series, PSA’s, music videos and commercials).
During that time, I also worked behind the camera in various capacities (production designer, set designer, prop master, AD, script supervisor, etc. on more than 50 indie sets. ) Last year, I also dipped into the theater world, helping to cast, organize and run, a monthly event called ‘Play In A Day’. As the name indicates, at each of these events, 6 plays would be written, memorized, blocked and performed in front of a live audience, all within 24 hours.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest hurdle I faced was gaining experience and building a resume in the Boston area. Obviously, the studio films that come to Massachusetts don’t (and shouldn’t) hand speaking roles to inexperienced actors. Therefore, I needed to seek out quality acting opportunities. Luckily, Boston has a number of schools with terrific film programs. These talented student film-makers give new actors a wonderful avenue to practice their craft and build their resume. There are also talented indie film-makers who are happy to collaborate with new actors, as their own resumes.
Early on, I chose to seek out these talented filmmakers and join their teams behind the camera. In fact, I was lucky enough to work as a one-woman art department (set designer/dresser, prop master,etc.) on some amazing local indie films. This creative collaboration fulfilled my artistic yearnings while learning more about many areas of film-making. At the same time, I took acting classes and slowly took on more challenging acting roles, thereby building my acting resume.
Unfortunately, I have degenerative spine issues. Recently, that physical hurdle caused me to discontinue working as a set designer/dresser on films. My spine can no longer handle all the manual labor that is involved in dressing sets. It is unfortunate; because not only was set design a fulfilling, creative element in my life, it also allowed me to give back and help out my fellow film-makers in a very tangible way. On the other hand, I now have more time to focus on acting.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a production designer/set designer, I am known as an art department MacGyver. I am good at creating beautiful sets for little or no money. More importantly, when a problem arises during filming, I am quick to fashion a solution from my magic bag of tricks. While wearing my art department hat, I am most proud of the ‘worlds’ I created while working with Sensorium Films, including the award-winning short films ‘Cleave’ and ‘Masque’.
I am also proud of my work as a set dresser on the soon to be released feature film ‘The Wrong Todd’ by Rob Schulbaum. As an actor, I love exploring complicated characters. I thoroughly enjoy gut-wrenching scenes. It is incredibly cathartic to dive into those dark places of the soul and let it all out. Therefore, my favorite acting roles were in projects such as the soon to be released feature film, “Gutterbug”, the short film, “Here Lies Joe” and the music video “Work in Progress”.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’ve enjoyed my journey. In theory, it would have been nice to explore the film world earlier in my life. However, I know that my early years, my loves, (especially my husband and my 3 daughters) my losses, my joys, my sorrows… all of these have contributed to the person I am today. They have contributed to the ‘life’ and reality I am able to bring to each character I inhabit.
Furthermore, because I entered the film world late in life, I have a bit more flexibility financially. For example, I don’t have to pay the rent via acting. Therefore, I can choose the projects I work on, based on the script, the production team and the role in question. If a role pays well; but, doesn’t challenge or intrigue me, I turn it down. On the other hand, if a role is very interesting and challenging; but, pays little or nothing (as is the case in student films) I can say yes to that role.
Therefore, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many different types of characters in the film. I’ve ‘become’ characters who are complicated, loving, angry, cold, funny, bitchy, delusional and/or emotionally challenged and I’ve loved every moment!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mary4930.wixsite.com/maryhronicekactor
- Email: Mary@Hronicek.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.hronicek
Image Credit:
Peter Thornton, Sam Coale, Judy Maloney, Tara Burke, Caitlin Brown
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