NYWIFT Blog

By Nicolette Page

Welcome to NYWIFT, Trish Appello!

For Trish Appello, turning 55 sparked a bold new chapter. The executive producer of the comedic series The EffYou 50s proudly declared, “I can thrive at 55,” and from that moment, her journey into the independent film and television world began.

Appello recognized the importance of on-set experience and chose to pursue an educational path, enrolling in the UCLA Extension independent film-producing certificate program. Upon graduation, Appello realized it was time to tell the story that had lived inside her for almost two decades.

Appello spoke to us about her career transition, finding her writing voice, and what she is currently working on.

NYWIFT Member Trish Appello

Welcome to the NYWIFT community! What brings you here?

As someone who splits their time between NY and Florida and is a member of FLWIFT, I was hearing really great feedback about NYWIFT. I am ecstatic that I joined.

My first intro to NYWIFT was speed networking, and I loved every minute of it…I found my peeps!

We are seeing women over 50 step into new roles, from entertainment to everyday life. Every one of us “seasoned gals” who choose to live our next chapter or an extension of our existing chapter is inspirational to all of us. We are choosing to be visible. It‘s this narrative that I want to change. Nobody should try to define a woman’s prime.

NYWIFT Member Trish Appello

What were you doing before filmmaking, and what made you decide to pivot into this industry?

I have had jobs in marketing and advertising, but I would never call them a career.

And, I have always had an innate connection to “The Biz,” as far back as I can remember. Watching TV with my six siblings back in the 1970s is, to this day, one of my fondest memories. For fun, I used to follow box office receipts (domestic and international), as well as the Nielsen ratings for TV.

Fast forward to 2016, when I was 55, I started volunteering at a local film festival. I was asked to sit on the Board [of the] Long Island Film/TV Foundation. I became the coordinator (liaison between the filmmakers and the expo). While coordinating LIFFE (Long Island International Film Expo), I discovered my calling to be part of the independent film and TV community.

NYWIFT Member Trish Appello

What’s one thing you’ve learned in your journey that you wish you knew at the beginning?

Learning this business takes time and patience. A quick example: to write, fund, hire, star in, score, oversee the edits and executive produce a 20-minute proof of concept for my comedic series, from the start of pre-production to the actual screening, took a year-and-a-half.

There are so many moving parts that go into filming a film/TV show. I love sharing that working on a set for 12 hours results in a scene that equates to only two minutes on air. A lot of hours and work go into creating a film; a TV series even more so.

After screening many indie films and conducting primarily all of the Q&As for the expo, I could feel the blood, sweat, and tears of the creators’ work, as they spoke so passionately about their projects. I found my “people” and knew this was where I belonged.

After walking the stage at UCLA in 2023 with my independent film producing certificate, I again set forth on another path. I was set to write a script, star in, and Executive Produce a proof of concept for the series I was developing, The EffYou 50s, a series that explores women over a certain age who have decided that they are going to live the “Eff” out of their next chapter!

NYWIFT Member Trish Appello

What would you tell the 20- or 30-year-old YOU?

It gets better, BUT also, get to the part where you don’t care what people think sooner. I found my voice and started a journey of self-care. Making my mental health a priority. I started to care less what people thought, and finally said goodbye to Trish the People Pleaser.

You act and produce! What is this process like for you on set?

The process for producing on set involves anticipating what is needed, looking for ways to be part of the solution, and understanding that “no job is too small.” Working on a set is a true collaboration, and I really love every stage of a production. To see an idea transform into a film is a treasured experience.

Acting has come naturally to me, but that doesn’t mean I have not studied. Acting is an art, and with any art, practice, learning, and embracing the art is essential for growth.

What are you currently working on?

I am reworking my proof of concept into a written pilot episode, which will be pitched to production companies for a development partnership. I hope that anyone involved with this project takes away that these women are familiar to them. They are their mom, sister, aunt, and neighbor. These women are relatable, and the themes we touch on in the pilot are real-life situations for women 50 and older; for example, parenting your parents, empty nesting, navigating sibling relationships from childhood into adulthood, becoming a grandparent, and how we navigate the subsequent chapters.  

Learn more about Trish Appello via her website www.trishappello.com and IMDb profile, and follow her series on Instagram at @theeffyou50s.

 (All images courtesy of Trish Appello)