Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary McBain.
Hi Mary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well! According to my writing partner, I’ve never met a word I didn’t like … so (brief isn’t always my forte although I’ll give it a shot!) I always knew that I didn’t quite fit in in England (where I am originally from) and I always had a feeling that I would live in America. After graduating college in England, I began working with CLIC Sargent (the UK’s leading children’s Cancer charity). I was doing well there and the work meant a great deal. But there was a part of me that believed there would be a way of making a bigger impact in the world, especially if I could create a public platform for myself.
One sleepless night I started googling Drama Schools in the US. One in New York popped up pretty high on my search, I sent an email and went back to bed. The next day I got a reply saying that there would be auditions the following week in London – so I learnt two monologues, did the audition and got offered a place. Amazing!! Until… I found out how much more expensive school in the US was. I exhausted all personal options/connections until a friend of mine told me about a paper in the UK called ‘The Private Eye’. I decided “what’s to lose” and put an ad in. Over the next couple of weeks, I had non stop calls from men suggesting all kinds of things – 50 shades of grey hadn’t come out yet, so whilst they were on the phone I was quietly googling things before swiftly telling them no thank you and getting them off the phone. One man yelled at me that I’d never make it if I wasn’t willing to sleep my way there (just watch me whilst I do, sir). Anyway – the phone went quiet for a while and then an Irishman called and suggested we meet for lunch. I brought my friend along (he’s a good 6’4). I knew the moment I walked in and saw Edmund that my life was about to change. Over lunch Edmund asked what my Plan B was if this didn’t work out – I said I didn’t have one because I believed that it would. After a few moments, Edmund told me I was going to America. It was the most incredible feeling. I then completed two years at The New York Conservatory, I then took a year to learn about being on the other side of the camera. Myself and a group of friends filmed a number of projects that year and I found a love for producing. I then won a writing competition and saw my pilot filmed – It was a huge buzz seeing my words brought to life like that. Not long after that, my friend from the Galapagos (I lived there in 2007) lost her husband, I wanted to raise awareness so I got a group of writer friends together, cast 12 of my friends from drama school and we put on a show based on ‘failing at the dating game’ a subject I had plenty of material for. After that, I moved to Atlanta where I taught drama for a while at the Atlanta Workshop Players. I ran three months of workshops there to learn about being a teenager today and what they might say if they were given a voice. I wrote a play called Penny Sweets alongside the teenagers – the performances were incredibly moving and again, such a buzz! It felt like time to make the move to LA – that has been quite the journey!! I think I’ve lived in 14 or 15 homes since I arrived in 2013 … I’ve worked in the music industry as a COO of a recording studio in Malibu, I’ve been a teacher and written two feature films and a pilot, the first of which is currently being shopped. In 2018 following a pretty rubbish experience here in LA, I wrote a short film called Silence Is Not Consent which screened at BAFTA, London. I have since begun working alongside an incredible group of people to see how I might be able to contribute in the world of Sex Education – that has been fascinating!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No! Not at all! But isn’t that the beauty of it sometimes? I’ve had interventions from my family along the way telling me it’s time to come home – I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned things myself, especially during the toughest moments – loading up my things into the back of my car in trash bags when I’d move on to the next place … being pretty broke in New York and borrowing $1 for a slice of two bros pizza … that kind of thing (!) But I’ve never stopped believing that this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. And, at every step I have been surrounded by the most incredible kindness and wonderful people having me to stay in their homes or guiding me in my career or helping to make life-changing connections for me.
In 2017, I was working with an attorney to get a Green Card. I spent an entire year leaving no stone unturned to build the strongest application I possibly could. In February 2018, I was told that my application had been filed … two months of very strange communications later and still no proof that my application had been filed, I flew to Vegas where her main office was. I walked in without an appointment and the attorney started yelling at me – at which point I knew there was a huge problem. I called immigration and they had no record of me. Because of the timing, I had to leave before my current visa ran out … that’s when I filmed ‘Spaghetti: Silence Is Not Consent’ in London – which turned out to be a massive silver lining (filming a project about consent with a fully female shooting crew was so powerful). Anyway – turns out I was one of 9 people she had done it to, two of those had actually been deported. All the other clients were scared to take her on (she’s very intimidating). I decided to learn how to represent myself in court – I attended an arbitration hearing and fought my own case – I proved she’d never filed my case but they allowed her to keep the fees so I contested and went back again to another hearing … anyway – silver lining, I got to understand more about the legal system over here and had a tiny taste of what being an attorney might be like!
I think being so far from home and family certainly brings its own variety of struggles – especially last year during the pandemic. Although that really did shine a light on what matters the most in life.
The biggest struggle for me currently is remaining patient! I know I have so much to offer, I believe that I’m a good writer – I’m longing for my scripts to land on the right desks (!) I want to see them come to life. I know I’m a good actress too, and after finally doing Eating Disorder therapy last year, I can’t wait to start auditioning now that I feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time since I can remember.
I truly believe though that when you want to do something big and impactful with your life, you are inviting bigger obstacles and deeper struggles – you’re forced to really look at yourself and at why you’re doing this. If it was easy then everyone would be doing it, right?! At least the things I’ve been through allow for so much more empathy and understanding – this drives me to want to make a difference more than anything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the things I’ve been told sets me apart from others is the fact that I’m never scared of ‘no’. It’s just a redirection or a challenge. I don’t mind being underestimated because it’s always fun proving that wrong! When I was in London following the filming of ‘Spaghetti: Silence is not Consent’ I was talking with my co-producer, Dan, about the screening and flippantly he said something like “come on McBain, it’s not like you’re getting this to BAFTA” … two months later I was standing on the stage at BAFTA, giving a speech to introduce our film.
As far as what do I specialize in … well, the vehicle varies but overall, I’d say my specialty is giving a voice to stories that might not otherwise get told, alongside turning negative experiences into something that will then make a difference to others.
This year, myself and two wonderful producers in London completed filming on a documentary that I am so excited for. I’m not able to disclose the details of it yet, – only that the subject matter is Israel/Palestine. But, it’s a story that needs to be told – and even in the filming of the interviews, I have witnessed the most incredible things – people finding peace with each other, listening to each other – I have so much faith in humanity no matter how many terrible stories the Media wants to print every day. There are amazing things happening.
What am I most proud of? I’m very proud of the fact that I now have a production company: MMCB Productions. I’m excited for the projects we will make – this documentary being our first official venture.
I am so proud of myself for never giving up, no matter what happens.
I think the other thing that is often commented on is the incredible network that I’ve built over the years – we always hear ‘it’s all about who you know’, well – I know the most wonderful people and I am so incredibly lucky in that way.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy? Having a positive effect on the people around me. I love to make people laugh – it’s the best. I started doing standup right before the pandemic hit – it was absolutely terrifying – but that feeling of making an audience laugh is like nothing else. Last night my improv team (Pretty Ugly) did our first live show back since the pandemic hit – getting back on stage with this team was so much fun.
I absolutely adore a proper belly life with a best friend.
Hiking and being outdoors make me very happy – I love the flowers here and the views in LA on a clear day. Walking on Zuma beach is heaven – I’m so lucky I get to live here! Swimming – that’s seriously up there. I swim a mile about four times a week at the moment and it’s the only time I feel truly calm. Swimming in open water too – last year I drove up to Lake Tahoe to reset – I swear that water is magic.
Following my purpose makes me the happiest though. I love it when you know that you’re on the right path because everything starts to fall into place almost seamlessly. You meet the exact right person just when you need to, or the perfect opportunity shows up just when you’re ready for it, or you get to connect two people who so needed to know each other. Connecting people – that makes me happy. Giving people a voice who really want to be heard, that makes me happy.
And not to overuse the word but writing this out, I think ‘meaningful connections’ – that really drives me, and those really make me happy.
Actually – I’m really lucky because I think I’m naturally a happy person – even my Instagram is @littlemissjolly!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.marymcbain.com
- Instagram: @littlemissjolly
Image Credits
Tasha Best Wes Klain
