Pop Culturalist Chats with Director Vanessa Parise

While you may not have seen Vanessa Parise on screen on The CW’s Charmed, you’ve certainly seen her handiwork on it. She’s the Producing Director and Co-Executive Producer; she’s also been the lead director of select episodes.

Off the show, Vanessa is an accomplished director (for projects such as Beyond, The Simone Biles Story), actress, writer, and producer. In short, she’s a multi-talented person you should know!

We were excited to chat with her about Charmed, being a female director in Hollywood, and what she’s looking to do in the future.

PC: What made you want to be a director?
Vanessa: Growing up in NYC and then CT and RI, I started acting in theater from the time I was a kid. Then, I studied neurobiology [at Harvard] while also singing in an acapella group and acting in a whole slew of [12] plays. I deferred med school [at Harvard Medical School] to go to Circle in the Square Theater’s conservatory and then moved to Los Angeles to act. I was blown away by how much the technique of acting taught me how to be in the moment, how to be sensitive, and sensitized. I’d never felt so alive.

I wrote and directed my first feature Kiss the Bride to create an acting opportunity for myself [Parise plays one of the lead roles, along with Alyssa Milano]. And boom, I’d found my calling: Directing! That was, wow, 15 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve come to realize that when I’m directing, the prep [time] uses my science/problem-solving side while shooting uses my acting/in-the-moment/feeling side.

PC: Female directors are in the minority in Hollywood. Have you faced any challenges in your work because of that?
Vanessa: Well…yes. As I mentioned, I started out in the indie feature world–writing/directing/producing my own films. I never felt any discrimination. But as soon as I wanted to get into the system [directing episodic television and studio features]–where you can potentially make a lot of money–I felt a huge shift. Since then, it’s felt mostly like I’m pushing a boulder up a mountain.

Also, bringing my baby–and now my toddler (he’s almost three!)–with me on location, from the time he was three months old, has been a challenge. Especially bringing him to set, where people aren’t used to seeing a woman directing, never mind a woman-with-a-baby directing [laughing]. Almost everyone has loved it, but I’ve also been made aware of some complaints & concerns about our brave new world!

PC: What is your favorite part of working on Charmed?
Vanessa: Two favorite parts. The collaboration with so many creative, smart, talented, likeminded people. And the material: it’s rich, funny, poignant, and topical–and incorporates action and VFX all of which contribute to a unique visual style.

PC: What is the most challenging aspect of working on the show? Vanessa: The schedule. As soon as we finish one episode, we’re straight into the next. And production is very long hours. Also, lots of homework on weekends. I love the work immensely. Just wish our regular work day weren’t 12 hours, but 8! (Okay, I’d be thrilled even with 10!)

PC: You juggle a few different “hats” within the production (producing director and lead director). So looking ahead in your career, is there another “hat” you’d like to explore?
Vanessa: I’m so grateful for this job, which I’m absolutely loving. I’m doing my best to stay present with that, and not look ahead too much.

PC: But if you had to?
Vanessa: Okay, okay…if I had to look ahead? Directing a pilot. Or directing a genre feature with a great female lead!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

Last TV show you binge-watched
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Ozark

Favorite film
The Player

Favorite book
The Handmaid’s Tale

Artist/Musician you could listen to on repeat
The Beatles

Favorite place
Capri

Place you most want to go to
I’ve traveled all over the world–it was part of my upbringing–and I’ve continued this into my adulthood. I’d like to have a chunk of time where I could just travel, with my family, to wherever we wanted… to be able to land for a few weeks here or there, to grow and expand our perspectives… and to see where that takes us. And then, the same from that new spot. An open itinerary!

People you most want to meet
Michelle Obama and Oprah

Stay up-to-date with Vanessa Parise by following her on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Dean Buscher