This week's guest is Michelle Regina Iacobelli who has served in several roles including 2nd 2nd AD, Key 2nd AD, and first AD on many different sets over the course of her nearly 20 years in the television and film industry.
Tamar had a chance to chat with Michelle about her experiences on these sets and the ways that she's seen women's issues evolve over two decades.
See below for Michelle's complete bio! Enjoy the episode!
Michelle Regina (Iacobelli) has been working in television and film since she graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2000. While attending R.P.I. Michelle produced her own segment entitled “Framed and Female” for local PBS Affiliate WMHT in Albany, New York as well as a short segment for National Public Radio. Michelle's senior project was a mixed media video installation entitled “Innocence” which highlighted young victims of gun violence. During her hiatus from classes Michelle interned at NBC in Rockefeller Center, New York City as well as Bunim-Murray Productions in Los Angeles.
After graduation Michelle volunteered on independent films in any capacity that was needed. Two years later Michelle applied and was accepted into The Directors Guild of America Assistant Director Training Program.
As a trainee Michelle worked on various television, film and commercial projects including The Notebook, ED, Hide & Seek, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. At the end of her scheduled time as a trainee on L&O: SVU, Michelle was given the opportunity to be the 2nd 2nd Assistant Director for the next upcoming season. From 2004 thru 2015 Michelle worked on 91 episodes of Law & Order: SVU as a 2nd 2nd AD, Key 2nd AD and First AD.
Within that time frame, Michelle was also able to work on different television projects including The Book of Daniel, The Sopranos, The Big C and Disney movie Enchanted.
During hiatus from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the summer of 2009, Michelle took an intensive film course at New York University with the sole objective of directing her own film. She created a short comedy about a gambler with an anxiety problem entitled Lott Oh. The short was accepted into several film festivals.
In the summer of 2011, Michelle self-funded and directed a music documentary entitled Unforgettable Fire, the
story of a U2 tribute band. Unforgettable Fire has made its way into fifteen film festivals and has won
several awards including Best Documentary, Best Director and The Alice Guy Blachè award for Women in Cinema.
Michelle is currently working on getting her docu-series pilot TRIBUTE green lit.