I was pretty directionless after graduation.  I started with a semester at Point Park College as a dance major, switched to CCAC for 2 years to get my distribution coursework out of the way and received an A.S. in Science.  I headed to Pitt to embark on becoming a physical therapist.  I wasn’t quite ready for some of the academic challenges (actually I confess that I was partying more than studying).  I switched over to work on a degree in physical education with an emphasis on athletic training.  As a physical education major, I returned to dancing (lots of master’s classes and performing when I could). Performance got in the way of phys ed, so I switched majors, again.  As the result, I finished at Pitt with a B.A. in Theater Arts with a minor in Biology.

After graduating Pitt, I worked for a minute as a fitness instructor, but then landed a job at a local commercial production company.  I did some work on commercials and industrial films in Pittsburgh for about 4 years.  I was able to easily convert that into a career as a feature film coordinator.  It started with some Pittsburgh-based films… and because I connected with a producer who rewarded hard work and loyalty, I was afforded the opportunity to work on with some more commercially successful ventures.  I moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and have remained here since.

There was lots of “prep work” done on films that never got produced and the majority of my assignments were for films on "location"...  Some notable titles; others "not-so-much".  All-in-all I was pretty successful.  That career was novel and gave me a sense of accomplishment when I was in my 20's & early 30's, but I really didn't plan on it consuming all of my life.  I ended up working ridiculous hours, traveling and living out of hotels.  Work became my primary relationship...  I never married.  And though I never had a family of my own, my siblings gave me 8 incredible nieces & nephews, though. And those eight have provided another 8 great-nieces & nephews. So my family life remains full.

Somewhere in the early 90's, I became increasingly disillusioned with working on films.  I started to see that, because I had been “typecast” as a feature film coordinator, it was getting harder and harder to crack the glass ceiling into producing.  I lost the passion and I went back to school at 41 years of age, got my master's degree at CSUN and did all the post-graduate work and became licensed as an MFT (marriage & family therapist).  I had a private practice for a while, but over the past 9 years I've been running residential treatment centers.  All is well with me.  I love it some days and find it exhausting others... I still work ridiculous hours and I'm on-call 24/7, but I'm glad I made the move.  The film industry required too much travel and I needed roots.  Now I have the ability to stay put and have a little home of my own.  And so… I work... and now I enjoy films from the comfort of my living room. 

It has been so much fun reconnecting with everyone.  I'm not sure yet if I'll make the reunion, but I am enjoying this cyber-reunion.

Be well & best wishes to all, Mary Lou