Meet Bonnie Gross | Writer & Producer

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

Hi Bonnie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risks are the only things that can move you forward and out of stagnancy. Although they can be scary, I look back on these defining moments as necessary to get to where I am today. There are four very significant risks I’ve taken so far in my life, and each felt like diving into a pit where you couldn’t see past the cliff. Once I landed on my feet, I realized that jumping off was the best decision I ever made each time.

Once upon a time I approached the wrong booth at a college convention in Philly. By the time the recruiter announced it was University of Alabama, I was too far into the speech to turn away. A year later I became the first person from my high school, and my town, to even go to college in the state of Alabama and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. At least until the next risk. If it weren’t for that decision, the entire course of my life would be different.

After college I bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles with no job, no place to live, and just an air mattress and trash bags full of clothes. I did end up on that air mattress for 3 years, but it allowed me to learn, grow, and climb ladders I didn’t even know existed. Eventually I found a job in post production, an apartment, friends, and even attended the UCLA Professional Program for comedy writing.

Then life took a turn. I moved to Birmingham, AL to take a job as a comedy writer and producer with It’s a Southern Thing. My dream has always been comedy writing, and every risk I’ve taken so far hasn’t led me astray. I packed up all my things after 3 years in LA, and yet again moved by myself to a city where I didn’t know a soul. 5 months after the pandemic started. I still don’t regret taking that risk to move when I did.

It all brought me to the place I am now. I wrote a feature film, decided to spend my entire life savings into self producing the film, moved to New York, and started a new job in a city where yet again I didn’t know anyone. If Los Angeles was such a success, then why would New York be any different. I’m now 2 years into NY and I love it. I can’t imagine my life any differently, not to mention all my past experiences led me to the right people and places to finish the feature film.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My biggest lesson is that you will find a way out, and you will succeed again. When I am at my lowest or going through something awful, I just have to sit and remind myself that I’ve been here before. I’ve been through heartbreak. I’ve been through grief and loss. I’ve been through dramatic changes. Each time, I came out a better version of myself, so who is to say I cannot do that again? This is what has gotten me to where I am today, opening myself up to the unknown even if I know there is potential to get hurt or fail.

As I talked about in the last question, I moved to LA with no job, no place to live, and just an air mattress and a dream. I had just broken off a 4 year relationship, gone through painful vaginal surgery, and a year of PT. How hard could moving to LA be after that? Turns out, it can be challenging. You’ll find yourself crying on a highway being covered in guac and losing your car after taking a side gig catering trying to make ends meet. Then one day you’ll look around and everything will be different. You have a job and you’re advancing fast. You get into a writing program at UCLA and your script even won an award. You go home to your real mattress in an apartment with air conditioning. You realize you did all of this.

With the same motivation, I realized I could do anything, so long as I let go of the fears and the thoughts swirling in my mind telling me every little thing that could go wrong all the way to the world exploding. That is when I decided it was time to risk it all on my own art, and self produced a feature film I wrote all about my own personal journey in the vaginal health care world, “Lady Parts.”

It was my biggest risk yet. Every dollar I’ve earned since 16 years old was spent. I called in every favor I had. Not to mention my most intimate and traumatic events were about to be public knowledge to the world. During filming I was working my full time post production job on New York hours, while being on set for 14+ hours in Los Angeles. I was willing to do whatever it took to keep the project moving, including driving the production truck, crafting up props, and taking over scripty on set. Whenever I got stressed or tired, I had to remind myself the reason I was doing all of this – to help others.

When I was in the thick of trying to find a diagnosis for my vulvar vestibulitis and vaginismus, I was so frustrated that there seemed to be nothing out there in terms of content. Until I found a specialist after years of searching for doctors, I had no idea what those terms even meant. If there was no content out there, then I was going to make it. I was going to make the movie that I wished I had when I was younger, no matter what it took. Turning trauma into art. Pulling a seat up to the table when no one else wanted to.

My hope is that this film will help others feel less alone, encourage conversations, and spread awareness. My advice to anyone wanting to create a film, or content of any kind, go with what you know and what you wished you could’ve seen as a kid. The passion will drive you to go places you didn’t think possible. Take the risk, call in the favor, and always remember you have been here before and came out a better version of yourself each time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First things first, we are riding the NYC Ferry – no, not the Staten Island Ferry, just the normal NYC Ferry. Start at 90th St and go all the way down to Wall Street for an hour cruise with some of the best views for only $2.75. Ther ferry also has a bar on board, so grab a prosecco and cheers as you float down the Hudson.

I live in Yorkville, which is part of the Upper East Side. The 90th St ferry park I mentioned above, is connected to Charles Schultz park, which is a beautiful park and boardwalk on a sunny day. Going west instead you will hit Central Park, which is my favorite no matter the season. My best advice for Central Park is to go without a plan, wander down the myriad of paths, and I can guarantee you will come across something spectacular.

Also near me are some of the best museums in the world. I can say from my many trips to the MET and Guggenheim, that it does not matter how many times I go, I always discover something new inside. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes. I make that mistake way too often.

Favorite Bars:
Auction House – a very old school 1800s looking bar that used to be a speakeasy. Think red velvet curtains, red plush seats, and candle lighting.
UES – ice cream shop by day with a speakeasy in the back. Not only do they serve ice cream, but also ice cream inspired cocktails giving some history about the UES. The menu also includes dinosaur nuggets.
Somebody’s Darling – this is a newer bar, but gives just the right amount of dive feel. It is covered in movie posters, has free popcorn, and hosts dance party nights. We went to a Rhianna themed dance night and it was great.

Favorite Restaurants:
THEP – thai, you have to go in person and order the sweet potato pad thai
Botte – Italian
Matteo – Italian
Mughali – Indian and one of my favorite spots
Cafe d’Alsace – fancy and upscale french
The Penrose – amazing brunch and cocktails

Favorite Coffee Shops:
Innocent Today – vegan shop with tasty coffee and treats
Padoca Bakery – Brazilian, you must get the cheesy bread
Stella & Fly – coffee shop by day, wine bar by night, one of the best spots to grab a charcuterie board and talk all night
Madeline’s Cafe – french cafe and the pastries are to die for

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that made my story the story that it is. It would be impossible to list every single person, but I’m hoping to name a few, especially with my most recent project, “Lady Parts.” A close friend of mine always reminds me that the most important things in our lives are people. When I was at my lowest, unable to afford a meal, looking for a place to sleep, or just in need of a hug, my family and friends have shown up for me in ways that I cannot thank them enough for. Not to be corny, but thank you mom and dad for always encouraging my dreams, including making a feature film all about vaginal health care.

When we were filming “Lady Parts” last summer, a family friend let me stay with them in Los Angeles for a month in their backyard she-shed. Not only did they treat me as if I was one of their sons, but gave me the emotional support I needed during a time period of no sleep and extreme stress. Thank you to the VanKirks for that summer. I could not have done it without you.

Also a shout out to my friends Darryl and Vinnnie, who both let us film at their apartments, for hours on end. Letting us use their space was a huge help and I cannot thank them both enough.

I have to give a huge shout out to our entire cast and crew, who worked so hard to make this film what it is today. To name a few names – our director, Nancy Boyd, our DP, Olaa Olabi, our other producer, Meghan Griesbeck, our editor, Edith Belmont, composer Hollie Buhagiar, and so many more which you can find on our IMDB page.

Lastly, I am extremely lucky to work a full time job that supports my creative passions. My company, Light Iron, under Panavision, was able to help us secure camera equipment, dailies, and color correction for “Lady Parts.” I cannot thank the teams at Light Iron and Panavision enough for helping us take the film to another level.

Website: www.bonnie-gross.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyparts_film/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-gross-4258b075/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cinna__BON

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsezTj1m4KTHDiyIHzOUBdQ

Image Credits
Film Photography by Khayman Brunswick