Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary O’Neil and Buz Wallick
Hi Mary and Buz, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Buz – I was born and raised in the mountains of Paradise, CA (NorCal) where I routinely bowled and watched movies. My Dad was a big movie buff and we always watched the classics together. I was fascinated by how movies were made and I knew from a very young age that’s what I wanted to do. I found myself going to San Diego State University and after two semesters was getting work in Los Angeles as a camera operator (documentaries and EPK) while my film professors failed me. I soon dropped out, and moved to LA and tried my best to learn every single thing I could about making movies. Around 2010 I met the love of my life and best friend at a wrap party. Enter Mary O’Neil! Fifteen years later we’re married and I’ve worked on over 100 different projects, have produced 20 feature films, and have directed three of them, two of which Mary stars in, and one of which we co-wrote together. I also run an artist accountability group here in Los Angeles called JUST SCARE ME (horror films being a passion of mine) that I co-founded with Mary. We just had our first kid (along with two floofy black cats) and I now find myself out of the trenches and working at the studio level as Director of Physical Production at Fox Entertainment Studios where I oversee a large slate of film and network series.
Mary – I grew up the youngest of seven kids in the suburbs of Chicago. From there I moved to New York to go to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. When the school opened an LA campus I was quick to jump on it realizing I preferred the camera to the stage. Since then I’ve worked in nearly every facet of film ranging from film marketing to animation and large studio films to passion projects. While my first love is performance I’ve been blessed to sharpen so many other skills. Los Angeles has brought many ups and downs and a multitude of collaborations the best one being meeting Buz and welcoming our son into the world this year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Buz – You have to be somewhat crazy to move to LA and try and make it in the film business- it’s one of the most cutthroat and competitive industries in the world, and there’s at least ten people better than you living in the same neighborhood. And while ambition is the key to success, sometimes it can pull you away from things that really matter. It took me far too long to even out my work/life balance. And it was a detriment to both, I believe. I also feel like I allowed myself to get stuck in a smaller pond of independent movies for awhile and just didn’t take that next step to break out into something bigger and better. However you just have to persevere and keep going. I am fortunate enough, and am incredibly grateful, to have had Mary by my side through all of it.
Mary – When in LA a smooth road is foreign concept. Like Buz said it’s incredibly competitive and there is always someone waiting in the wings better than you. I’ve struggled with maintaining a positive outlook in the face of rejection. As an actor the majority of the job is auditioning, which is basically just hearing “no” constantly. I’ve been laid off by major studios as well as little crappy ones, I’ve had scripts be put into turnaround and great ideas butchered by creative execs. But the light at the end of tunnel is nobody can strip you of your creativity, which is why Buz and I began creating our own projects.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Buz -For the majority of my career, I have been mainly known for being a producer but have worn many hats over the years including director. I specialize in knowing every aspect of film production, which allows me to run things as efficiently as possible. It also allows us to make movies with incredibly small crews, tight budgets, and short schedules successfully. The thing I’m most proud of is really just being more grateful than anything that I surrounded myself with incredibly talented people, most of all my wife who is an amazing actress and writer. Getting to work with her, and watch her grow and succeed brings me an intense amount of pride and I hope we get to create more together for many years to come.
Mary – My speciality is acting and writing. I think in both I always try to do what’s best for the project. If that means my scene partner needs 100% when the camera isn’t on me I’m happy to give that – I love to give to my fellow actors as much as I can. Or if a script has a budget constraint with a great idea I’ll work around the clock to come up with a creative solution. I think what sets Buz and I apart as a creative team is we try and create a comfortable set. We want our cast and crew to be able to come to us with anything and we love working together to solve problems. I’m most proud of the work we’ve done together and with the incredible artists we’ve surrounded ourselves with over the years.
All of that hardwork and growth paid off into a feature we co-wrote and produced together (along with our dear friend Sean Mesler) called TENANTS which hits VOD September 24th, 2024.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Buz – There isn’t a lot of surprising things about me- I guess maybe that I cry during movies and TV a lot. Sometimes even commercials. I get sucked into stories pretty easily.
Mary – I have no clue. I feel like I’m an open book! I hate bananas with a passion. Like with a fiery passion, the fiery passion of a thousand suns.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenantsmovie/, https://www.instagram.com/maryoneil/, and https://www.instagram.com/justscareme/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv7sCDQbIGD_ajrEnBMvvhA
