Meet Bonnie Discepolo | Filmmaker, Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie Discepolo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie, how do you think about risk?
When I think of the word risk, it makes me think: chance of harm.  So
if I’m considering a career move, is taking the chance more or less
risky than NOT taking the chance? By that I mean is it more dangerous
to my life, limb, finances, relationships? In general, I think it is a
greater risk to regret not taking action rather than to make a
mistake, learn and get up again.

My career is full of successes that came by saying yes to
opportunities that were challenging, scary, and full of promise. I
risked appearing as a filmmaker on Robert Rodriguez’s Rebel without a
Crew. It was risky to make a feature film in two weeks, and allow a
camera crew to follow me doing it. It was vulnerable being filmed
while directing a movie. But the rewards from taking that risk have
been invaluable! I learned so much making a film under the hardest of
circumstances. Everything I make now is easier than that was. But I
also developed a priceless mentorship with Robert Rodriguez. So risk
for me is really opportunity. A risk is a chance to rise and push
yourself beyond your current limits. Stretch and grow. The biggest
risk is not taking action!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Busy is the right word for it! I am an actor, filmmaker and audition
coach! There is always something I am working on, so I have to
strategically steal down time from one job to do another.

This year as an actor I had an amazing guest star role as Laura, a
woman who leads a mountain commune and refuses to evacuate her people
when a forest fire sweeps through on episode 203 of Fire Country on
CBS. I loved Laura because she is strong, and goes head to head with
the Cal Fire chief, but she is also vulnerable and hides the pain of
being forgotten and left behind by society because her people are
poor. I feel very passionately about her.

I also got the chance to play Rachel a blonde bombshell in an upcoming
noir called the Long Game starring Kathleen Turner and Sekai Abeni. It
premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. It was directed by a
wonderful woman named Jace Andersen and it was a dream to work on a
feminist noir with an acting icon like Turner.

In March my focus switched from my acting roles to my filmmaking hat.
I spent the spring taking my most recent outing as a director, Neo
Dome, to film festivals. Neo Dome is a collaboration with my best
friend Anna Camp and Ritual Film. And we played SXSW 2024 and took
home the  audience award. Winning SXSW was a dream come true!

Following SXSW, Neo Dome played the wonderful Cleveland International
Film Festival. Cleveland was incredible! Neo Dome is a neo noir
western that follows a woman who hitchhikes to a mysterious dome on
the horizon. We shot it on anamorphic lenses and it was incredible to
see it on screen at Cleveland’s iconic old movie palaces. Neo Dome is
headed to Series Fest in Denver next.

Now that we have a pause in the festival circuit, I’m back to my
regular life of writing, acting coaching and auditioning! I’m working
on a draft of my first feature, a historical horror in the vein of the
Witch. It is a currently a finalist in the Rhode Island International
Film Festival Screenplay competition. I participate in alumni
activities at the terrific Atlantic Acting School in NY. I also work
with acting students around the world to assist them in crafting
auditions that are rooted in to9ne and story telling.  I think
assisting new actors in deconstructing a story from a writer and
director’s perspective is one of the most rewarding things that keeps
me busy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Haha, if I tell you, then won’t be secret!

Let’s start with a dawn patrol surf and coffee on the west side! Then
we can make our way east for the afternoon and evening. I’m  a
not-so-secret astronomy lover. So we’ll go to Griffith Park
Observatory, it is a great vantage point for Hollywood Sign for you,
and a great place for me to get my cosmology fix without leaving the
city.

Then dinner is a full 1940’s vintage dress up extravaganza at Musso
and Frank’s.  I love old Hollywood haunts: the wood, the red booths,
the history… Let’s pretend we’re in a Raymond Chandler novel

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Cameron Watson! Even when I’m busy as an actor and director, I still
take a scene study class director Cameron Watson! He is a champion, a
talent, a kind heart, and he encourages artists to be the biggest,
bravest, brightest, most colorful version of themselves. Anyone’s life
who Cameron touches is improved. Any piece of theatre, or storytelling
that he directs is emotionally deepened. I am grateful to Cameron as a
coach, director, and friend. I would not be where I am today without
his class.

Instagram: @abonniesituation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOg5KM8S8fn2IPZcDkag6fg

Image Credits
Josh Telles Dana Patrick Unicornfightclub Darren