Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget McGuinness.
Hi Bridget, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since I seven years old, I was always singing around the house and wanting to entertain my family. Growing up on the island of Nantucket in the 90’s there wasn’t much to do or any acting programs yet. So my parents introduced me to movies and I fell in love. I’d love to escape to different places and pretend I was the main character. Movies and acting made me feel that anything is possible.
At 16, I started traveling to Boston and taking acting classes every weekend. This was a great lesson for me because I was taking classes along with going to high school, so I learned how to prioritize my time with work and learning my lines for class that week. After high school, I attended Suffolk University in Boston, majoring in film. My parents are very supportive of my dream but they are also traditional people so they instilled in me to have a backup plan. I knew I wanted to work on movies and if acting never worked out, I wanted to know everything that goes on behind the scenes. So I studied film and learned everything from editing to set design.
After college, I needed to move back home to Nantucket. While I was there, I started freelancing as a videographer/editor and worked on many local projects for small business and families. I also took a job as a teaching assistant for special needs children at my local elementary school. Working with these amazing kids changed my life and I learned to really live my life the way that would make me happy. That finally gave me the courage to make my move to California this year.
Since moving to California in February, I’ve gained so much. I signed up for acting classes and have met some amazing friends! I have also been auditioning for some really fun projects and working as an editor for film and television. I won a monologue challenge with No Good Theatre with a piece I wrote based on a photograph they provided. I have never felt so confident and happy and it’s all because I put my dreams first and going after them!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. When you’re someone who is confidently going after your dreams, you are met with people that are intimated and want to put you down. Growing up, I struggled with body issues and this industry is all looks first, talent second. So I had acting teachers tell me that I was very talented but in order to make it, I needed to lose 20-30 pounds. I was told this at 16, an age where you’re already struggling with pointless teen drama. So for years, I thought I wasn’t pretty enough to be an actress. In high school the skinny girls who just decided to do drama club last minute would get the lead over me because of how they looked. I never once doubted my talent but I did always wish I looked different. It took me until now, I am 27, to really feel confident in my body. Now the industry is starting to change and I do see women with my body on the screen in lead roles. I want young women to know they are not defined by how they look. If you have passion and drive, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, I am working as an editor for a new reality show and writing a series with one of my amazing talented friends Lara Jean Sullivan that we hope to start production on soon! I have worked on many films and televisions shows, some are “Chicago Fire”, “Stronger” with Jake Gyllenhaal and “Grey Lady” with Eric Dane.
A project I am most proud of would be a film I wrote, acted and edited called “Release”. I filmed it on Nantucket in November during the pandemic with the help of three really amazing friends. It’s a short film about a young woman getting out of an abusive relationship. I am really proud with how it turned out and I can’t wait to share it with everyone soon!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always down to collaborate with fellow actors and filmmakers! If anyone wants to work together email or Instagram is the best way to reach out. I am a very chill person and just love being creative and learned new skills! For supporting, following and liking my post on social media is always nice and a fun way to meet people and connect.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.bridgetmmcguinness.com
- Instagram: @bridgetmarym
- Facebook: @bridgetmmcguinness
- Twitter: @bridgetmarym
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfgJbl3HCFR7u6j9JVuL5A/featured
